Friday 29 August 2014

How to get a confident smile?

Confidence is fickle – one day you’ll feel on top of the world, the next day, not so much.
It’s human nature to go to extra lengths to look and feel attractive. This includes using a range of cosmetics, and specialized skin treatments. Most Americans agree that a confident and attractive appearance helps them secure better jobs, life partners and promotions. If you too are interested in enhancing the way you look, then the first thing you should consider is cosmetic dentistry. Remember, beautiful teeth reflect radiant beauty, good health and confidence, three crucial qualities in successful people.
Here are some of the most common cosmetic treatments used to enhance the aesthetic value of your teeth:
Orthodontic treatments:
Crooked teeth are teeth that are misaligned and at a higher risk of being lost early because of periodontal disease or tooth decay. Cosmetic orthodontics is a division of dentistry that fixes such issues for aesthetic reasons.
The most standard form of treatment for crooked teeth are braces. These prosthetics help treat overcrowding, protrusion, irregularity, and other related issues. There are various types of braces available, including:
  • Fast acting adult braces
  • Invisalign
  • Damon braces
  • Simply clear aligners
  • Inman aligners
Invisalign:
Invisalign braces are made out of transparent plastic material and are hardly noticeable to the naked eye. They tend to fit over the teeth easily and move the choppers gradually into position.
Fast acting adult braces:
These braces are specially created to be worn by adults. They comprise of a gum-shield with vibration causing miniature motors. This vibration tends to start once the person bites down on the gum-shield, in turn loosening ligaments and initiating new bone to grow. This, in turn, moves the teeth into the correct place and holds them there.
Damon braces
These are no-friction, metal free braces comprising of wires and a slide mechanism that enables misaligned teeth to move into position.
Inman aligners
These are similar to Invisalign braces except that they comprise of a metal bar that is visible across the front teeth. But they utilize the same principles as Invisalign. The combination of a coiled spring pressing against the teeth and the metal bar causes a ‘push-pull’ movement that shifts the teeth into their correct position.
Simply clear aligners
These are a set of plastic aligners that are worn to fix mild cases of crooked teeth or other orthodontic problems. Such prosthetics do not contain wires, metal bars, or brackets and are opted by those patients who are looking for a mild cosmetic correction.
Apart from braces, there are several other cosmetic treatments that can help you achieve that perfect smile. Discuss all your options with your orthodontist or dentist. He or she should be able to recommend the right method for you depending on your oral health and personal preferences. Do not let a chipped or crooked tooth stop you from achieving your goals or shying away from social interactions! Book an appointment with your dentist now and see your life change for good.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Seven Foods that help fight cavities

Whether you call them dental caries, tooth decay or cavities, they all refer to one thing –damage of tooth enamel. And if you’re not proactive, you may end up losing a tooth or suffering from nasty gum disease.
How do cavities actually start?
Cavities are a result of simple sugars sticking to the teeth for a duration of time and promoting the growth of damaging mouth bacteria that corrode tooth enamel. Unfortunately, cavities are not restricted to kids alone. Aging disposes adults to this problem due to receding gums. This puts older people at risk for plaque and consequentially they become prone to tooth decay. However, the good news is tooth decay can be prevented by following some simple rules:
  • Brush two times a day
  • Floss regularly
  • Get oral examinations and professional cleaning every six months.
  • Eat healthy foods and limit your sugar intake
Apart from this, here are some foods that should help you keep the dentist’s drill away:
Cheese: experts believe that eating cheese improves oral health by preventing loss of minerals. In addition, the protein found in cheese assists in countering the acids that lead to tooth degeneration. As less as five grams of cheese is enough in countering tooth problems.
Apples: apples act as natural cleansers for the mouth. They have the ability to generate saliva that cleans the teeth while the flavonoids restrict bacterial growth inside the mouth.
Cocoa: cocoa contains polyphenol, a unique nutrient that plays an important role in cavity prevention because of its capability to fight bacteria.  Polyphenol reduces the formulation of acid, which in turn helps the teeth remain healthy.
Peanuts: peanuts help decrease plaque build-up. They are the least cavity causing food items that a person can eat.
Cranberries: cranberries are rich in organic acids and flavonoids, known for their decay-preventing qualities. The flavonoids in blueberries and cranberries constrain bacteria from sticking to teeth surfaces, in turn helping them remain clean.
Yogurt: yogurt combined with fresh fiber-rich fruit acts like a natural toothbrush. It contains phosphorus and calcium, two minerals required to re-mineralize the teeth. A recent study has shown that adults who drink yogurt have less acidic pH levels which helps to keep cavities at bay.
Black tea: flavanols are abundant in black tea and have been shown to reduce the breeding of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Apart from this, tea leaves also contain fluoride, a mineral that sustains oral health by strengthening the mineral composition in the teeth.
Gum and tooth problems are less common today, in comparison to the yesteryears. But they still affect almost one out of ten Americans by the time they reach sixty. If you do not take care of your mouth by brushing, flossing and eating right, you are at a very high risk of developing gum disease. One of the best ways to find out how to take care of your mouth is to ask a qualified dentist. There are several good dental clinics in California that will help you handle your teeth by giving your personalized advice and treatment.