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1. Basic Dental Care
Kare32 Newsletter Aug 24 2008 - 12:48
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This topic provides information on basic dental care. If you are looking for information on tooth decay or cavities, basic dental care or any other issues our website provides you with extensive information on various dental issues. Kindly log on to www.kare32.com.
What is basic dental care?
Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.
Why is basic dental care important?
Practicing basic dental care:
- Prevents tooth decay.
- Prevents gum (periodontal) disease, which can damage gum tissue and the bones that support teeth, and in the long term can lead to the loss of teeth.
- Shortens time with the dentist and dental hygienist, and makes the trip more pleasant.
- Saves money. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly procedures.
- Helps prevent bad breath. Brushing and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
- Helps keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.
- Improves overall health.
- Makes it possible for your teeth to last a lifetime.
Are there ways to avoid dental problems?
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires good nutrition and regular brushing and flossing.
Brush your teeth twice a day-in the morning and before bed-and floss once a day. This removes, which can lead to damaged teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.
Use toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque. Look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association.
Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
Avoid using tobacco products, which can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) also may cause gum disease, as well as other health problems.
Practice tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush, stroking in a back-to-front direction. Tongue cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are coated or deeply grooved.
Schedule regular trips to the dentist based on how often you need exams and cleaning.
When should my child start seeing a dentist?
By the time your child is 6 months of age; your doctor should assess the likelihood of your child having future dental problems. If he or she thinks your child will have dental problems, be sure your child sees a dentist before his or her first birthday or 6 months after the first primary teeth appear whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends.
Experts recommend that your child's dental care start at 12 months of age. If your baby has dental problems caused by injury, disease, or a developmental problem, see your pediatric dentist right away.
Visit our website for information: www.kare32.com
Kindly send your response/queries to: wecare@kare32.com
Kindly send your response/queries to: wecare@kare32.com
Root Canal Treatment | Cosmetic Dentistry | Teeth Whitening | Wisdom Tooth | Scaling | Dental Fillings | Brushing & Flossing | Dental Implants | Endodontics | Orthodontics | Crown/Bridge | Periodontics | Restorative Dentistry | Kare32 Newsletters |
Common oral problems have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, premature birth, and more. With the mouth and body so closely linked, dentists and physicians should collaborate more closely, Karabin says. "Physicians need to be trained to examine the mouth, and dentists need to understand more about systemic disease so they can pick up on some of the cues." The findings also serve to bring home the importance of oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with a toothbrush with soft or medium bristles, Genco says. Clean between your teeth daily with floss, or try some of the interdental picks available at drugstores. If your gums bleed with flossing and don't stop after three to four days, see your dentist. In most cases, gum disease isn't painful. So even if you're feeling fine, visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. You may find out more than you ever expected. "Today, more dentists aren't just looking at teeth and gums," says Cram. "They're giving you a good medical exam." (Do you visit your dentist for regular checkups? Why or why not?) Periodontal disease is an infection caused by unhealthy bacteria that lodge between the teeth and gums. Simply brushing your teeth is enough to put some of those bacteria into your bloodstream, says Robert J. Genco, DDS, PhD, an oral biologist at the Inflammation also plays a role in spreading the effects of bad oral health. Red and swollen gums signal the body's inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria. "If you have inflammation in your mouth, certain chemicals are produced in response that can spread [through the bloodstream] and wreak havoc elsewhere in the body," Cram says. Evidence is mounting of the importance of the "mouth-body connection," as it is known, as dental problems are linked to a growing list of other ailments. Karabin has diagnosed several cases of diabetes from her dentist's chair. "When I see a patient with multiple abscesses in their mouth ... I immediately think 'diabetes.' I will send that patient for a glucose tolerance test." Nearly one-third of people with diabetes are unaware that they have it, and dentists can play a big role in diagnosing these patients, Genco says. Diabetes and gum disease appear to influence each other in a vicious circle. Infections of any kind, including gum disease, cause the body to produce proteins called cytokines, which increase insulin resistance and make blood sugar more difficult to control, Karabin says. Conversely, uncontrolled diabetes impairs the body's healing mechanism, which makes it harder to control gum disease, Cram says. Diabetic patients who avoid dentists out of fear or anxiety will have problems that go beyond tooth loss, says John Buse, MD, PhD, director of the Gum disease may also speed the progression to full-blown diabetes in the 54 million Americans who are classified as prediabetic. In a 2007 study, Danish researchers compared prediabetic rats with gum disease to prediabetic rats without gum disease. The rats with gum disease soon displayed increased insulin resistance and other signs of progression toward type 2 diabetes. People with periodontal disease are nearly twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without, according to the Although evidence has been mixed, more than 20 "good-sized" studies have demonstrated the relationship between gum disease and heart disease, Genco says. But that relationship is still not confirmed as with other known risk factors such as smoking or obesity. Genco is planning a major study to see whether treating gum disease can forestall a second heart attack in people who have already had one. Recent analysis suggests that common oral problems could increase the risk of cardiac problems. Indra Mustapha, DDS, a Periodontist who teaches at The American Heart Association states, "At this time, promoting dental treatment expressly to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and/or acute cardiovascular events is not recommended." "Ob-gyns always knew that preterm and low-birth-weight births could be triggered by infections in the body," says Karabin. "They looked for urinary tract infections and throat infections, but never really thought about the mouth until a Periodontic researcher looked into it." Karabin credits that researcher, Steven Offenbacher of the Other conditions that indicate a link between dental health and overall health include: Visit our website for more information: www.kare32.com Root Canal Treatment | Cosmetic Dentistry | Teeth Whitening | Wisdom Tooth | Scaling | Dental Fillings | Brushing & Flossing | Dental Implants | Endodontics | Orthodontics | Crown /Bridge | Periodontics | Restorative Dentistry | Kare32 Newsletters | Bad breath is embarrassing, unpleasant, and all too common. These eight easy tips will sweeten your breath for good. We've all found ourselves chatting with someone whose breath could easily wilt a flower. With more than 90 million people suffering from chronic bad breath (also called halitosis), that's a lot of wilted flowers. If you (or someone you regularly smooch) have an attack of bad breath that even Altoids won't fix, try these eight simple tips to fix the problem. Bad breath often strikes when people aren't properly taking care of their oral health. The odor is usually caused by decaying food particles and bacteria in your mouth. That's why brushing and flossing your teeth is so important, but don't forget to gently brush your tongue to get rid of even more bacteria. Mouthwash isn't a bad idea, but it's only a temporary fix. Granted, a little mouthwash comes in handy before a romantic dinner for two, but it masks the odor instead of tackling the source of your problem. Believe it or not, saliva is your best weapon against bad breath. That's why dry mouth, often caused by certain medications or medical conditions, leads to odor problems. By washing away food particles and bacteria, saliva helps to eliminate odor, too. If you're wondering why your breath stinks in the morning, it's largely because saliva production slows while you sleep, allowing particles and odor to linger longer. That's where sugarless gum comes in handy, as chewing it will stimulate saliva production. Mints, on the other hand, don't usually stimulate saliva production and only temporarily mask bad odor. "When you chew gum it makes you salivate, and the more saliva you have in your mouth the fewer bacteria you have. It not only mechanically washes bacteria out, but we have antiseptic and enzymes in our saliva that kill bacteria," says Wolner. While anything that makes you salivate will improve your breath, a gum that is sweetened with xylitol is your best option. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that not only increases salvation but also works to prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth. A recent study of the cinnamon-flavored gum Big Red found that cinnamon might have breath-odor fighting abilities. Unlike other flavors, cinnamon is not just a cover-up. In fact, its an ingredient in the flavoring appears to actually decrease the bacteria in your mouth. The only problem is that sugar gums are bad for your teeth, so stick to sugarless cinnamon-flavored gum instead. The older you get the more likely you are to get dehydrated. You might not even notice you're thirsty, so make drinking water a habit, because water will help keep the bacteria in your mouth to a minimum. Drinking water has a lot of health benefits, and preventing bad breath is one of them. While most bad breath can be banished with simple hygienic steps, there are times when dental or medical conditions might be the culprit. Make an appointment with your dentist if an unsavory odor takes residence in your mouth. "If there is a persistent odor in your mouth, and you know it's not from the pasta you ate last night, see a dentist". Your dentist will be able to pinpoint any cavities or decay, or even periodontal (gum) disease that might be causing your bad breath. Because on rare occasions bad breath can signal a larger problem, including infection, and even kidney or liver failure, you should also visit a doctor if your dentist doesn't find a cause for your bad breath problem. If you're on one of the many popular low-carb diets, remember that bad breath or "ketone breath" is a potential side effect when you always have that burger sans bun. You can try different methods of masking the odor, such as gum or tart candies, but adding a few carbs to your daily diet might also do the trick. You can't really clean your entire mouth with a toothbrush. "Using an irrigator or water pick cleans everything out around and under your gums and between your teeth, If food lingers between your teeth where a toothbrush doesn't reach, it's fermenting." Next time you floss, take a whiff of your floss after you're done, and you'll have a good idea about what fermented or rotten food particles smell like. If you think you have bad breath, get a second opinion. "A large proportion of people who think they're social pariahs with terrible breath don't have bad breath at all," says Wolner. Visit our website for more information: www.kare32.com Root Canal Treatment | Cosmetic Dentistry | Teeth Whitening | Wisdom Tooth | Scaling | Dental Fillings | Brushing & Flossing | Dental Implants | Endodontics | Orthodontics | Crown /Bridge | Periodontics | Restorative Dentistry | Kare32 Newsletters | The more severe form of gum disease is called periodontitis. When you reach this stage, your gums begin to pull away from your teeth. Pockets form between your teeth and gums. These fill with germs and pus, and deepen. When this happens, you may need gum surgery to save your teeth. If nothing is done, the infection goes on to destroy the bone around your teeth. The teeth may start to move or get loose. Your teeth may fall out or need to be pulled. What are diabetes problems? Too much glucose in the blood for a long time can cause diabetes problems. This high blood glucose, also called blood sugar, can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. Heart and blood vessel disease can lead to heart attacks and strokes. You can do a lot to prevent or slow down diabetes problems. This information is about the tooth and gum problems caused by diabetes. You will learn what you can do each day and during each year to stay healthy and prevent diabetes problems. Is There an Association Between Gum Disease and Diabetes? For the nearly 21 million Americans that have diabetes, many may be surprised to learn about an unexpected complication associated with this condition. Research shows that there is an increased prevalence of gum disease among those with diabetes, adding serious gum disease to the list of other complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Is There a Two-Way Street? Emerging research also suggests that the relationship between serious gum disease and diabetes is two-way. Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to serious gum disease, but serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes. Research suggests that people with diabetes are at higher risk for oral health problems, such as gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) and periodontitis (serious gum disease). People with diabetes are at an increased risk for serious gum disease because they are generally more susceptible to bacterial infection, and have a decreased ability to fight bacteria that invade the gums. The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health states that good oral health is integral to general health. So be sure to brush and floss properly and see your dentist for regular checkups. If I have Diabetes, am I at risk for Dental Problems? If your blood glucose levels are poorly controlled, you are more likely to develop serious gum disease and lose more teeth than non-diabetics. Like all infections, serious gum disease may be a factor in causing blood sugar to rise and may make diabetes harder to control. Other oral problems associated to diabetes include: thrush, an infection caused by fungus that grows in the mouth, and dry mouth which can cause soreness, ulcers, infections and cavities. How can I help prevent Dental problems associated with Diabetes? First and foremost, control your blood glucose level. Then, take good care of your teeth and gums, along with regular checkups every six months. To control thrush, a fungal infection, maintain good diabetic control, avoid smoking and, if you wear them, remove and clean dentures daily. Good blood glucose control can also help prevent or relieve dry mouth caused by diabetes. What can I expect at my checkup? Should I tell my Dental Professional about my Diabetes? People with diabetes have special needs and your dentist and hygienist are equipped to meet those needs - with your help. Keep your dentist and hygienist informed of any changes in your condition and any medication you might be taking. Postpone any non-emergency dental procedures if your blood sugar is not in good control. What should I do each day to stay healthy with Diabetes? Follow the healthy eating plan that you and your doctor or dietitian have worked out. Be active a total of 30 minutes most days. Ask your doctor what activities are best for you. Take your medicines as directed. Check your blood glucose every day. Each time you check your blood glucose, write the number in your record book. Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, redness, or sore toenails. Brush and floss your teeth every day. Control your blood pressure and cholesterol. Don’t smoke. How can Diabetes hurt my Teeth and Gums? Tooth and gum problems can happen to anyone. A sticky film full of germs, called plaque, builds up on your teeth. High blood glucose helps germs, also called bacteria, grow. Then you can get red, sore, and swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. People with diabetes can have tooth and gum problems more often if their blood glucose stays high. High blood glucose can make tooth and gum problems worse. You can even lose your teeth. Smoking makes it more likely for you to get a bad case of gum disease, especially if you have diabetes and are age 45 or older. Red, sore, and bleeding gums are the first sign of gum disease. These problems can lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is an infection in the gums and the bone that holds the teeth in place. If the infection gets worse, your gums may pull away from your teeth, making your teeth look long. Call your dentist if you think you have problems with your teeth or gums. How do I know if I have damage to my teeth and gums? If you have one or more of these problems, you may have tooth and gum damage from diabetes: Red, sore, swollen gums Bleeding gums Gums pulling away from your teeth so your teeth look long Loose or sensitive teeth Bad breath A bite that feels different Dentures - false teeth - that do not fit well How can I keep my Teeth and Gums healthy? Keep your blood glucose as close to normal as possible. Use dental floss at least once a day. Flossing helps prevent the buildup of plaque on your teeth. Plaque can harden and grow under your gums and cause problems. Using a sawing motion, gently bring the floss between the teeth, scraping from bottom to top several times. Brush your teeth after each meal and snack. Use a soft toothbrush. Turn the bristles against the gum line and brush gently. Use small, circular motions. Brush the front, back, and top of each tooth. If you wear false teeth, keep them clean. Call your dentist right away if you have problems with your teeth and gums. Call your dentist if you have red, sore, or bleeding gums; gums that are pulling away from your teeth; a sore tooth that could be infected; or soreness from your dentures. Get your teeth cleaned and your gums checked by your dentist twice a year. If your dentist tells you about a problem, take care of it right away. Be sure your dentist knows that you have diabetes. If you smoke, talk with your doctor about ways to quit smoking. How can my Dentist take care of my Teeth and Gums? Your dentist can help you take care of your teeth and gums by Cleaning and checking your teeth twice a year Helping you learn the best way to brush and floss your teeth Telling you if you have problems with your teeth or gums and what to do about them Making sure your false teeth fit well Plan ahead. You may be taking a diabetes medicine that can cause low blood glucose, also called hypoglycemia. Talk with your doctor and dentist before the visit about the best way to take care of your blood glucose during the dental work. You may need to bring some diabetes medicine and food with you to the dentist’s office. If your mouth is sore after the dental work, you might not be able to eat or chew for several hours or days. For guidance on how to adjust your normal routine while your mouth is healing, ask your doctor What foods and drinks you should have How you should change your diabetes medicines How often you should check your blood glucose For More Information: Diabetes Teachers: www.diabeteseducator.org and click on “Find a Diabetes Educator.” Dietitians: To find a dietitian near you look on the Internet at www.eatright.org and click on “Find a Nutrition Professional.” The good news is that bad breath happens to everyone once in a while. Let's find out how to detect it, prevent it, and even treat it. What's That Smell? Bad breath is the common name for the medical condition known as halitosis (say: hal-uh-toe-sis). Many different things can cause halitosis — from not brushing your teeth to certain medical conditions. Sometimes, a person's bad breath can blow you away — and he or she may not realize there's a problem. There are tactful (nice) ways of letting someone know about bad breath. You could offer mints or sugarless gum without having to say anything. If you need to tell a friend he or she has bad breath, you could say that you understand foods can cause bad breath because you've had it before yourself. By letting someone know that bad breath isn't something unusual, you'll make the person feel more comfortable and less embarrassed about accepting your piece of chewing gum. If you suspect your own breath is foul, ask someone who will give you an honest answer without making fun of you. (Just don't ask your brother or sister — they just might tell you your breath stinks even when it doesn't!) Although everyone gets bad breath sometimes, if you have bad breath a lot, you may need to visit your dentist or doctor. What Causes Bad Breath? Here are three common causes of bad breath: Poor oral hygiene leads to bad breath because when you leave food particles in your mouth, these pieces of food can rot and start to smell. The food particles may begin to collect bacteria, which can be smelly, too. Plus, by not brushing your teeth regularly, plaque (a sticky, colorless film) builds up on your teeth. Plaque is a great place for bacteria to live and yet another reason why breath can turn foul. Preventing Smelly Breath So what's a kid to do? Don't smoke or use tobacco products, of course. And take care of your mouth by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. Brush your tongue, too, because bacteria can grow there. Flossing once a day helps get rid of particles wedged between your teeth. Also, visit your dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings/scaling. Not only will you get a thorough cleaning, the dentist will look around your mouth for any potential problems, including those that can affect breath. For example, gum disease, also known as periodontal (say: per-ee-uh-don-tul) disease, can cause bad breath and damage your teeth. If you're concerned about bad breath, tell your doctor or dentist. But don't be surprised if he or she leans in and take a big whiff! Smell is one way doctors and dentists can help figure out what's causing the problem. The way a person's breath smells can be a clue to what's wrong. For instance, if someone has uncontrolled diabetes, his or her breath might smell like acetone (the same stuff that's in nail polish remover). If you have bad breath all the time and the reason can't be determined by your dentist, he or she may refer you to a doctor to make sure there is no other medical condition that could be causing it. Sometimes sinus problems, and rarely liver or kidney problems, can cause bad breath. Root Canal Treatment | Cosmetic Dentistry | Teeth Whitening | Wisdom Tooth | Scaling | Dental Fillings | Brushing & Flossing | Dental Implants | Endodontics | Orthodontics | Crown/Bridge | Periodontics | Restorative Dentistry | Kare32 Newsletters |Contact us at: +91-80-41127359, +91-80-23560882 wecare@kare32.com We care your smile
2. What Your Dental Health Says About You
Kare32 Newsletter Aug 28 2008 - 18:13Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
How Gum Disease Spreads
Oral Health and Diabetes
Oral Health and Heart Disease
Oral Health and Premature Birth
You can send your response/queries to: wecare@kare32.comContact us at: +91-80-41127359, +91-80-23560882 wecare@kare32.com We care your smile
3. Change Your Breath from Bad to Good – 8 Tips
Kare32 Newsletter Sept 13 2008 - 16:57
Don't let your tongue become a dirty carpet.
A clean tongue goes a long way to warding off bad breath, says Stephen Z. Wolner, a dentist in private practice in Chew gum like it's going out of style.
Choose cinnamon -- it's sweeter.
Drink more water.
Rule out rare causes for bad breath.
Have a slice of bread.
Get a water pick.
Don't let bad breath go to your head.
You can send your response/queries to: wecare@kare32.com
Contact us at: +91-80-41127359, +91-80-23560882 wecare@kare32.com
High blood glucose can cause tooth and gum problems.
Check your teeth and gums for signs of problems from diabetes. 
Brush and floss your teeth every day.
Get your teeth cleaned and checked twice a year.
Visit our website for information: www.kare32.com
Kindly send your response/queries to: wecare@kare32.com
Root Canal Treatment | Cosmetic Dentistry | Teeth Whitening | Wisdom Tooth | Scaling | Dental Fillings | Brushing & Flossing | Dental Implants | Endodontics | Orthodontics | Crown /Bridge | Periodontics | Restorative Dentistry | Kare32 Newsletters |Contact us at: +91-80-41127359, +91-80-23560882 wecare@kare32.com We care your smile
5. Bad Breath - Tips on How to Get rid off It!!
Kare32 Newsletter Oct 20 2008 - 17:14
You lean over to whisper something to your friend and you can tell by the look on your friend's face that something is up. Could it be your breath? Maybe you shouldn't have put extra onions on your hamburger at lunch. What's a kid with smelly breath to do?
Usually, there's a less complicated reason for a kid's bad breath — like what you had for lunch. So keep up with your brushing and flossing and you should be breathing easy — and odor free! Visit our website for information: www.kare32.com
Kindly send your response/queries to: wecare@kare32.com
Contact us at: +91-80-41127359, +91-80-23560882 wecare@kare32.com We care your smile