Saturday, 30 May 2015

Electric VS Manual Brush

There have been multiple studies comparing the effectiveness of manual brushes as opposed to electric brushes.

Although not all electric brushes are the same, these studies conclude that in general electric brushes are more efficient in controlling plaque than manual brushes. Theoretically, you can do a very good brushing with a regular hand brush, but the movements of an electric brush make the task easier and more effective.

Also, some electric brushes (Sonicare) produce sonic vibrations that are difficult to mimic with a hand brush! Other electric brushes like Oral-B and Rotadent have small heads that help you access hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. This aspect is more important when you are talking about someone with orthodontic braces or a history of gum disease.

If you have any questions about electric toothbrushes and you live in Tampa, give us a call today! or Visits: http://www.tampaaestheticdental.com/

How to Floss Your Teeth

The surfaces that are between teeth are not accessible to brush; therefore, the best way to clean them is by flossing. The frequency of flossing is like brushing and ideally after each meal, though one time a day (before going to bed) is the minimum necessary.

To start, cut a piece of dental floss (approximately 2 feet). Wrap both sides of the floss around your middle fingers. Using your index and thumb, glide the floss in between all your teeth one by one. When flossing, make sure you are not cutting your gums. The goal is to clean the teeth surfaces, not the gums. In the space in between teeth, press the floss against each side of the tooth (hug the tooth) and gently move it back and forth and up and down. Then move to the opposite surface of the adjacent tooth.

If you have any questions about flossing your teeth and you live in Tampa or Temple Terrace or surrounding area, give us a call today! or Visits: http://www.tampaaestheticdental.com/

Saturday, 23 May 2015

How to Brush Your Teeth

The first step is to choose a good toothbrush. You always want to use a soft brush with a small head. A soft brush is hard enough to remove plaque, yet gentle enough not to damage your teeth or gums.

The next issue is to select good toothpaste. In general, any toothpaste that contains Fluoride will do the job, unless you have special needs that are determined by your dentist. Two of the best brands of toothpastes are Colgate Total and Crest Multicare.

The first rule of brushing is to start from a specific location and work your way to the opposite side, continuing all the way through the whole mouth so that you end where you started. This way you won’t miss any area. Usually a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is enough. An adequate brushing should at least take 2 minutes and preferably around 4 minutes.

The next issue is to select good toothpaste. In general, any toothpaste that contains Fluoride will do the job, unless you have special needs that are determined by your dentist. Two of the best brands of toothpastes are Colgate Total and Crest Multicare.

The first rule of brushing is to start from a specific location and work your way to the opposite side, continuing all the way through the whole mouth so that you end where you started. This way you won’t miss any area. Usually a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is enough. An adequate brushing should at least take 2 minutes and preferably around 4 minutes.

There are a variety of techniques for brushing your teeth, but one of the most popular ones is described here:
Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle toward the teeth and gums. Gently press against the gums so the tips of the bristles go in between the gum and the teeth. Then apply a few lateral strokes and roll down the brush to sweep the plaque away from the teeth and the gum. Repeat this motion 6 to 10 times and move on to the next area of 2 to 3 teeth. If your mouth is full of foam, spit out and continue brushing. Your brushing is completed when you have brushed all the surfaces of your teeth, not when your mouth is full! On chewing surfaces, short strokes work best to get the plaque out of the grooves and pits. When brushing the back side of your front teeth, hold your brush vertically to be able to reach the teeth better.

As far as frequency of brushing is concerned, ideally you want to brush your teeth after each meal. But if you can’t, brush at least twice a day- after breakfast and before going to bed. If you live in or around Tampa or Temple Terrace give us a call today to schedule your oral health evaluation exam.

For more Information about How to Brush Your Teeth Visits: http://www.tampaaestheticdental.com/how-to-brush-your-teeth/

Advantages and uses of Dental Mouth Guard

Mouth guards – also known as night guards or sports guards – are designed to protect the teeth and jaw from damage. They are recommended by dentists for individuals of all ages who are at a higher risk for developing oral health problems due to grinding of the teeth, bite obstructions and impact sustained from contact sports. There are many types of dental guards, each of which are customized to fit the patient’s needs.

Night Guards

Individuals who suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding, find that a night guard can help achieve a better quality of sleep, as well as prevent sore and tense muscles around the jaw from constant biting during the night. A night guard can also protect the teeth from wearing down due to grinding and pressure, which could otherwise cause thinning of the enamel and even make the teeth more prone to decay over time.

For TMJ patients, dentists utilize night guards as a means for helping correct the condition and also for alleviating TMJ pain and symptoms. With regular use of a night guard, TMJ sufferers can experience fewer TMJ-related headaches, less clenching, less popping and clicking of the jaw, fewer toothaches and less ringing in the ears.

Sports Bite Guards

Sports accidents are common, and a bite guard is especially beneficial to athletes who participate in high-contact activities. It is not uncommon to hear of athletes who have sustained serious damage to the teeth and tissues of the mouth that could have been easily prevented or minimized by a mouth guard. Football, hockey, soccer and basketball are examples of just a few high-risk sports in which participants should wear mouth protection.

As an added benefit, bite guards are generally composed of materials that are naturally absorptive to force, meaning the guards not only protect the teeth, but may also lessen the force to the entire skull and brain should the wearer suffer an injury.

The Advantage of Customized Night and Bite Guards

Although night guards are available over the counter at drug stores and other retailers, there is an advantage to getting a customized night or bite guard from a dentist. Professional dental guards provide the most accurate fit, because the dentist uses an impression of the patient’s teeth and natural bite, from which a laboratory constructs a custom guard. Without the accurate fit that a professional night or sports guard provides, the guard can become loose or even fall out of the mouth.

On the other hand, bypassing a professional dental guard fitting and customization can lead to even more problems in the future. Individuals who purchase an over-the-counter dental guard that is improperly fitted often find that they develop even more pain or complications with prolonged usage. These guards are also typically made of inferior materials than professional guards, meaning they need to be replaced more often.

Should you decide to be fitted for a professional dental guard, your dentist will analyze your particular mouth guard needs and make a recommendation for either a hard or soft material based on a professional analysis. He or she can pinpoint targeted support areas for a better bite adjustment that will not leave the muscles and tissues in and around your jaw feeling sore or inflamed. Additionally, with the professional supervision and oversight that a dentist provides, you can quickly identify whether adjustments need to be made to your night or sports guard over time.

Caring for a Night or Sports Guard

In order to get the most effective use of a night or sports guard, proper care is essential. The guard must be thoroughly cleaned with cool, soapy water after each use, as well as regularly inspected for tears, holes or other wear. Furthermore, a dentist should inspect the mouth guard at each exam or teeth cleaning to ensure it is still providing proper protection.

Tuesday, 5 May 2015

Invisalign Braces Tampa - A More Advanced Alternative to Traditional Metal Braces

Only those who have misaligned teeth understand how it feels not having a great and straight smile and how unpleasant it is to wear metal braces. If you're also considering getting braces to straighten your teeth and enhance your smile, I suggest you to look for more options. No longer is it necessary to wear metal braces. In fact, a more advanced treatment alternative is now available that you may want to consider.

Invisalign braces Tampa takes a modern approach to teeth straightening, by using a series of custom-made, detachable and invisible aligners. These braces are created for you and only you. Actually, they look like trays that are fitted over your teeth, but are absolutely invisible. Those who don't know about you undergoing a treatment won't be able to spot that you're wearing braces. There are no metal brackets, no wires. You just have plastic aligners that you can remove while eating and brushing and flossing your teeth. A new set of aligners is to be popped every two weeks, as per the progression designed by your dentist.

By wearing these aligners, you will achieve short goals in short time duration. Each stage marks a gradual and gentle, sometimes unrecognizable, shift in your teeth. The best part about the whole treatment is that you won't feel any pain in your mouth. Plus, no metal-like taste! You can wear them all round the day while confidently speaking and laughing in public. Let's take a look at other benefits that invisalign Tampa offers over traditional basis:

1.You can eat and drink anything. Simply remove them when you eat.
2.You can easily brush and floss your teeth. There is no risk of food deposition.
3.Plastic aligners don't irritate your cheeks and gums.
4.You can pop up aligners on your own.
5.No discomfort or mouth sores you experience. They are safe and comfortable.
6.No risk of teeth discoloration or stains.
7.No sacrifices are to be made. You can eat anything and everything you want.

Invisalign braces can be worn by anyone who wants to straighten their teeth. However, it is important to see your dentist and understand if this is the right option for you. Once your dentist gives a go ahead, you're all set to embark on a short journey to invisibly straighten your teeth and improve your smile. Your dentist designs a treatment plan for you and takes measurements are impressions of your jaw line and teeth respectively. The document is then sent to the laboratory where custom-made braces/trays are made for you. This generally takes two weeks. However, on request you can fast-track the process.

You'll have to wear these braces for almost one year. Results depend on your existing situation. The treatment may be slightly expensive than traditional braces but it's worth the investment. The end decision lies with you but invisalign takes a modern approach and can be a more rewarding choice. However, you may want to consult your dentist and decide for yourself.

All About Dental Implants

Millions of Americans suffer tooth loss due to decay, gingivitis or injury, despite significant improvement in dental care. But easy availability of advanced dental treatments comes as a relief. Previously, dentures and bridges were the only options available for people with missing tooth. But with the advancement in implant dentistry Tampa, you now have more treatment options.

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for replacement teeth. A replacement tooth is custom-made to match your original tooth. Dental implants, in fact, now have become a common treatment for missing teeth and many more Americans are adopting this treatment to restore their oral health and smiles.

Most people can undergo dental implant procedure; however, having healthy gums and good overall health is preliminary requirement to carry out the treatment. People with diabetes, heart diseases or chronic disorders need to be evaluated before undergoing the treatment. Therefore, it's recommended for you to disclose your medical background, to avoid any possible risk.

When you visit your dentist, you'll be asked to undergo a thorough evaluation of your oral health and diagnosis. This may include few x-rays, a blood test to determine sugar level and others that your dentist suggests. You will also be required to carry with you the test reports or medical treatment reports that you have undergone previously.

If you're found a good candidate for the treatment, you can then discuss the goals you want to achieve, with your dentist. It's important to educate yourself about the treatment process and what is involved in getting a dental implant. Once you're through and agree to undergo the treatment, your dentist develops an individualized treatment plan for you.

The next step is to get dental implant fixed in your mouth. It's a titanium post fixed in the remaining bone socket of your missing tooth. In next 6-12 weeks, as your jawbone heals, the titanium post is anchored strongly in the jaw, making a perfect base for the crown. A connector is then installed to hold the crown strongly to the implant.

The replacement tooth can be fixed or removable. It completely depends on your preference. Once the treatment is complete, you will have improved appearance, improved speech, improved health, enhanced oral health, and a complete smile.

The success rate of dental implants may vary. But in general, it's around 98%. With proper care, they last really long and sometimes even a lifetime. In addition, the selection of dental implants dentist Tampa plays a crucial role in the success of the treatment. To shop for a dentist:


1.Ask your close ones for recommendations
2.Browse ADA (American Dental Association) local or state directory
3.Consult your family doctor

It's ideal to drop in at a dentist's clinic to find information related to:


1.Their qualifications, experience and affiliations
2.Their specialization
3.Fees and financing options
4.Treatments available

A personal meeting with a dentist will help you understand if you will be comfortable with him or her during the treatment. It also gives an idea about he/she deals with patients.