1. Brushing Immediately After Every Meal

Do this, but wait 30-60 minutes until after your meal has been completed. Bolting for the bathroom as soon as you finish eating is a no-no. Your teeth actually soften in the acidic environment created in your mouth while you are eating. Also brushing too forcefully with a hard bristled brush can do damage your tooth enamel. Be gentle and choose a softer brush.(Dental Implant Machine)
2. Forgetting About Flossing

Do your gums bleed when you brush vigorously or floss? This could mean that you have a mild case of gingivitis. In order to get rid of this, you want to get into the habit of flossing after every, yes every, meal. The longer food particles are touching your teeth and gums, the more likely it is you will have dental problems down the road. Rid your teeth of bacteria on a daily basis, three times a day, by flossing.
3. Using Your Teeth as a Tool

Before you go to open that bottle with your teeth or undo a knot, think again. Although it’s convenient and easy to think of your teeth as a tool, you can actually crack or break your teeth while doing this. Take the extra couple of minutes needed to find the true tool for the job, and your teeth will greatly thank you!
4. Skipping Checkups

It is highly recommended you visit the dentist every six months for a cleaning and routine check up. By doing so, you are not allowing tartar and plaque to build up on your teeth and will have fewer dental problems as you age. Carrying the plaque around means it will get deeper and deeper into the gums, which can weaken support structures such as bones.
5. Neglecting to Use a Mouthguard

Use your head and don’t forget your mouthguard when participating in full contact sports such as: basketball, softball, football, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, skating, martial arts, as well as recreational sports such as skateboarding and cycling. It may seem over the top, but getting into this habit can prevent serious injuries to your teeth and mouth.
6. Grind, Grind, Grind

Many people grind their teeth when bored or mad, and some do it while they are sleeping. This habit of clenching can wear your teeth down and add 10 to 20 years to your appearance. Grinding also makes it easier for cavities to develop because it wears down the top, protective layer of enamel. This can eventually lead to tooth decay as well. If you have difficulty stopping, get fitted for a mouthguard, especially if you grind your teeth while sleeping and obviously can’t naturally correct the problem.
7. Abuse Soda, Sports Drinks, or Juices

Stick to water or drinks that don’t contain as much sugar. Many of these drinks contain loads and loads of sugar, which will then sit on your teeth until the next time you brush. Grab for the water or sugar free thirst quenchers instead!
8. Drink Excessive Tea, Coffee, or Red Wine

These beverage choices can stain your teeth if you do not brush them away after consumption. When your teeth are stained, they have the rough feeling of sandpaper, which causes bacteria to stick to them more easily. This can eventually lead to tooth decay. Apart from cutting back, try using a straw so the fluids skip over your teeth and go right down the hatch.
9. Teeth Whitening Too Frequently

Always seek your dentist’s advice before beginning a whitening regimen. The reason being, over whitening or not reading the instructions properly can result in gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. If your enamel is already worn, your dentist may discourage whitening all together.
10. Consuming Bottled Water

It’s actually more beneficial to your teeth to drink straight from the tap. It doesn’t hurt that it’s more cost effective, too! Bottled water tends to be over filtered and doesn’t contain the fluoride that tap water offers. If your tap water isn’t fluoridated (you can have it tested), your doctor may even prescribe fluoride supplements.
11. Piercing Your Tongue or Lip

Having your tongue or lip pierced means that you’ll have metal hardware scraping against your teeth all the time. When you simply speak, your tongue moves, thus causing the hardware to scrape against your teeth. The result? Your teeth can crack, chip, and become shaved down. This type of wear on your teeth can lead to the need for veneers or crowns that wouldn’t otherwise be necessary.
12. Having Bulimia

Vomiting after eating, a disease known as Bulimia, can seriously affect your teeth. Of course, this disease has many other dangerous ramifications well beyond dental care as well. When you start to vomit, your stomach acids bring your food back up into your mouth. These acids will wear down the enamel, mainly on your front teeth, which could cause you to need restorative care in the future.
13. Abuse Drugs, Such as Crystal Meth

Crystal meth, aside from being highly addictive and life threatening, can destroy your teeth and mouth. “Meth” users crave sugary foods and drinks, grind their teeth together, and also suffer from dry mouth, all of which we’ve seen can wreak havoc on your teeth over time. Many people suffer from “meth mouth” which is aggressive decay, or blackened teeth, on the verge of falling out. Most addicts will need a full set of dentures by 30. Just another reason to avoid meth and other dangerous drugs altogether!
14. Long-term Use of Legal Medications

For women, oral contraceptives can not only change a woman’s hormonal balance, but lead to chronic gum disease. Even if a woman stops taking the medication, the damage is often times already done. Furthermore, some cough syrups contain high amounts of sugar which can cause tooth decay whereas antihistamines can cause dry mouth. Since saliva protects the teeth, a lack of saliva can lead to problems.
15. Smoking

Keep lighting up and you’ll really be putting your teeth in gums in jeopardy. Stains, as we learned, cause teeth to be more vulnerable to bacteria. Smoke is also a factor in the development of gum or bone diseases. The smoke prevents the ability of the gum tissue to stay in a healthy condition and therefore your gums are unable to fight off disease-creating bacteria. Just about half of the people who wear dentures over 60 are smokers.(Marathon Micro Motor)

Dentists often request dental x-rays so they can see images of a tooth (or teeth) that are not visible to the human eye. X-rays can be a very useful tool for several reasons. But every time a dentist or dental hygienist asks if they can take a dental x-ray, you might wonder if the procedure is safe. Can a dental x-ray cause any potential health problem? Are there any dangers associated with a dental x-ray? Many dental patients have questions such about x-rays.(Portable X-ray Machine)

It’s important to stress that dental x-rays usually emit a very low level of radiation, and are therefore often described as a safe procedure by most dental professionals and others who work in the health industry.

Importance of Dental X-Rays
During a routine dental exam, you may be told that dental x-rays are in order. Most dentists like to have a copy of recent x-rays on file at all times. Many dental insurance plans cover the cost of routine x-rays. And, discount dental plans allow members to pay a reduced fee for x-rays when a dentist requests them. In most cases, routine dental x-rays are not prohibitively expensive.

Dental x-rays have the capability of assisting your dentist or dental hygienist with the following:

Discovering tooth decay that might not be visible by simply looking at a tooth
Alerting the dentist that you are experiencing bone loss
Helping the dentist with a diagnosis of an abscess
Locating permanent teeth that have not yet erupted from the gums (usually in children)
Checking the spacing of permanent teeth in preparation for orthodontic treatment

X-Rays Every 6 Months?
Most dental patients do not need dental x-rays taken more than once a year. However, your dentist might recommend more frequent dental x-rays if you are experiencing any type of tooth pain, if you are at a high risk of tooth decay, or if you have any oral health problems.

Safety Precautions and X-Rays
Although most dental x-rays emit a very low level of radiation, your dentist or dental hygienist should take precautions to protect your body when dental x-rays are being taken. Your dental office should place a lead apron and lead collar over your body prior to taking x-rays. The lead coverings help to protect you from any radiation exposure. If you are not provided with a lead apron to wear, make sure to ask for one before you have your next dental x-rays are taken.

The Safety of Dental X-Rays Has Improved Over The Years
Today’s dental x-ray machines are very different than machines used to take pictures of a person’s teeth several decades ago. Today’s x-ray machines emit a minimal amount of radiation, and many dentists say that the amount of radiation in dental x-rays pales in comparison to the amount of radiation exposure a person endures on a daily basis just by living a regular lifestyle.

If you have any questions or concerns about the safety of dental x-rays, make sure to have a discussion about this topic with your dentist during your next regular dental visit. Use your dental insurance benefits and visit your dentist for a check-up and professional dental cleaning two times a year. If you don’t have dental insurance, consider becoming a member of an affordable discount dental plan which provides substantial discounts for most dental services.(Dental Autoclave)

You’ve heard it a million times: You should always brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day. But despite the fact that dental professionals and educators have been repeating these instructions to people decade after decade, not everybody is compliant. It’s easy to forget to brush your teeth twice a day. And it’s even easier to neglect flossing your teeth every single day. Even though these tasks are incredibly important, brushing and flossing both require time and effort. And when not completed on a regular basis, your oral health can suffer.(dental x-ray machine)

Most people understand the importance of brushing their teeth. Brushing your teeth has immediate and obvious benefits: it makes your teeth look and feel cleaner, and it makes your breath smell more fresh. Flossing, on the other hand, does not result in as many immediately noticeable benefits. Regardless, brushing and flossing your teeth are equally important.

A few benefits of flossing your teeth every day include:

It removes food that is caught in between your teeth.
It helps remove plaque that can eventually turn into tartar.
It helps keep your gums healthy.
It causes your teeth to look healthier.

There are several different types and brands of dental floss. If you are unsure of the type of dental floss that you should be using, make sure to discuss the matter with your dentist or a dental hygienist during your next routine dental visit. It’s important to have a professional tooth cleaning and exam twice a year. Many dental insurance companies cover this type of appointment because it is considered preventive care. If you do not have dental insurance, you should still visit your dentist twice a year for a routine appointment. A membership in a discount dental plan can help lower the cost of a routine dental visit.

Using Dental Floss Can Promote Good Oral Health
Using dental floss can help remove bacteria and food particles that can get caught in between your teeth. When the space in between your teeth is kept as clean as possible, the result can be a decreased risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Another reason to floss your teeth at least once a day is that it can improve the appearance of your teeth. Individuals that make it a habit to use dental floss after every meal run a lower risk of having embarrassing food particles caught in between their front teeth.

Learning How to Floss
It is important to learn the correct way to use dental floss. If you are unsure about proper flossing techniques, make sure to ask for guidance the next time you are at a regular dental appointment. People of all ages should floss on a daily basis – including children. The time of day you choose to floss your teeth may not be as important as making sure you floss at least once a day – no matter when you decide to do it. If flossing your teeth is difficult for you, there may be certain types of dental floss or products that can be used to make the process as easy as possible.(Teeth Whitening Machine)

More and more people are getting the Inman Aligner advantage and when it comes to correcting the front teeth, it has become a favorite among a growing number of dentists. What is Inman Aligner and how does it straighten your teeth? Find out today from Dr. Gun Norell, our Inman Aligner Specialist at Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic, Dubai.(dental x-ray machine)

What is the Inman Aligner?

Inman Aligner is a simple, removable appliance that can quickly and safely align and straighten the front 6 upper/lower front teeth. The Inman Aligner is perfect as a standalone treatment or to correct alignment of the teeth prior to other cosmetic procedures like boding or veneers.

How does it work?

The Inman Aligner has one buccal and one lingual bow that “pushes” the teeth into right position with light and steady forces.

Is it comfortable to wear?

For the first 3-4 days you might experience soreness or tenderness in the mouth and/or increased salivation. After this initial period of time, patients say that it becomes more comfortable.

How often should a patient wear it? Does the amount of time it is being worn affects it’s effectively?

You need to wear the Inman Aligners for 16-20 hours/day. General rule of thumb is the more hours the aligners are worn, the faster the treatment and the less hours, the slower the treatment.

How different is the Inman Aligner from the other orthodontic alternatives?

Inman Aligner is a compromised orthodontic treatment since it can only move the front upper and/or lower 6 teeth. But it is faster and cheaper than fixed braces or clear aligners like Invisalign. All treatment with Inman Aligner is evaluated and planned by the computer to know exactly how much space we need to create or close. Every patient is presented with a 3D printed model (after treatment) before the treatment.(Teeth Whitening Machine)

Braces are a far cry from the teeth-alignment practices of hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Now, more than half of American teenagers wear braces, but back in the day some pretty strange gadgets were used in orthodontic care. Take a look at these braces of the past!(oilless air compressor)

Ancient Braces

Even ancient civilizations believed that a beautiful smile goes a long way. Ancient Greeks apparently aligned their teeth using gold wires – that would be a pretty expensive luxury today! Even stranger, Egyptian mummies have been found with catgut bands, which are made from animal intestines, wrapped around their teeth. Imagine having that in your mouth!

18th Century

A Frenchman named Pierre Fauchard invented a device called the “Bandeau,” a metal object shaped like a horseshoe that attached to gold wires and corrected tooth alignment. This bulky metal “Bandeau” would have been a lot less fun to wear than the trendy bandeau tops people wear today!

20th Century

In the early 1900s, people aligned their teeth using all kinds of materials: gold, silver, copper, even ivory and wood. Gold worked great because Evolution of Bracesit was soft and easy to mold, but its softness was also a downside because it bent out of place and had to be adjusted frequently.

By the 1970s, modern braces were taking hold. Professionals ditched the bulky, embarrassing wires and headgear for direct bonding, or gluing stainless-steel brackets to the teeth using dental adhesive. The subtlety of these braces was taken a step further with lingual braces, where the brackets are placed on the backs of teeth instead of the front. Tooth-colored brackets became another new way to disguise braces.

Modern Braces and Invisalign

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Invisalign took orthodontic care to a whole new level with invisible, removable teeth alignment. With Invisalign, you can eat all the foods that you can’t eat with braces, because you simply take it out while eating and pop it back in when you’re done. No wires for food to get stuck in!

Now, people even customize their braces, adding a personal flare by choosing brightly colored rubber bands. Aren’t you glad to live in a time when braces are constantly developing from the unusual orthodontic methods of the past?(Dental Implant Machine)

There are many ways in which your oral health has an impact on your overall general health. There are naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth. Some of those bacteria, including strep and staph, are harmful, while other bacteria are essential for the balance of intestinal flora. The healthier your mouth is, the less likely it is the harmful bacteria will travel to other parts of your body to infect it and make you sick. There is much more to good dental hygiene than brushing and flossing.(oilless air compressor)

Historical Methods of Maintaining Oral Health

Ancient civilizations relied on natural remedies for maintaining oral health. Around 250 AD, the Kemetic Egyptians used myrrh and other herbs as antiseptics for treating infected gums. Two centuries later, the Nubians, who lived in the Nile River valley, drank beer to ease the pain of infected teeth. That probably sounds crazy, but their beer was effective because they used grains that were contaminated with the same bacteria that produce the antibiotic tetracycline.

Today’s Biggest Dental Hygiene Challenge

In the past, tooth decay was more of an issue because there was no routine dental care, and problems that are routinely treated today went untreated. Thanks to fluoridated water, and toothpastes containing fluoride, tooth decay is far less problematic than it was a century or more ago. Gum disease has replaced tooth decay as the most serious dental problem facing people today. According to the American Dental Association, a staggering 80 percent of Americans over age 65 suffer from some form of periodontal disease.

Ironically, if that infection attacked any other part of your body, especially in a place where it was clearly visible, you would head to your doctor for treatment immediately. People tend to ignore gum tenderness and bleeding. When the tenderness and bleeding aren’t treated, the inflammation can turn into periodontitis. The longer you allow the inflammation to go untreated, the greater the likelihood that it will affect other body parts. Make sure to visit Dr. Chris Proctor and Dr. Richard Gore at Southwest Dental Care regularly to be proactive about dental health!

Researchers are now discovering that untreated inflammation in the mouth acts as a driving force for multiple chronic illnesses, including clogged arteries, heart attacks, arthritis, and even cancer. That inflammation is one of many hypotheses that may explain how chronic infections can trigger systemic diseases, and even intensify existing ones. Bacterial overgrowth in the inflamed gum tissue can enter the bloodstream through the food you eat, and from daily brushing.(Air Scaler)

Seeing the first few teeth growing in your toddler’s mouth are an exciting time for a parent. Your toddler is growing, and soon by the age of three years, your toddler will have a full set of baby (primary) teeth.(dental air compressor)

Did you know that the maintenance of primary teeth is important for the future development of your toddler? Several evidence-based studies support that positive and preventative dental exposure will not only benefit your child’s future dental health, but also their general health.

There are many easy ways to ensure that your toddler’s teeth are strong and will resist decay both now and in the future.

Brushing & Flossing

“Make sure all the plaque has been brushed to avoid acids eating away at the teeth” – Dr James Lucas

Brush your child’s teeth every day twice a day. Your toddler will not have developed his or her fine motor skills yet, so it is important that you help them properly and thoroughly brushes your toddler’s teeth. While brushing can be a daily battle and sometimes the tears can be a bit discouraging, know you are doing the right thing – so be persistent! Keep it up mum and dad!

Use a small pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste and a soft-bristled, children’s brush, then brush in small, circular movements. If you let your child brush their own teeth, make sure to finish up the job for them. Furthermore, if you can, floss between your toddler’s teeth to ensure cavities do not form between teeth.

Eating

“Limit sticky and sugary foods!” – Dr Caroline Howarth

Sugary, sticky and acidic foods should be avoided or limited between meals to ensure they do not cause harm to your toddler’s teeth. When your child eats or drinks sugary foods, the bacteria in their mouth mix with the sugars to make a mild acid. The acid attacks the hard layer of the teeth and over time can cause decay. If your toddler has lots of sugary snacks, you are continually topping up the levels of acid in his mouth, increasing the risk of a cavity.(Dental Implant Machine)

Prevention

“Don’t forget to Toothmousse, use a fluoride containing toothpaste and have a balanced diet” – Dr Amy Fung

Prevention is better than cure, so maximising all the protecting and preventative factors in your toddler’s lifestyle are important. Use an appropriate fluoride containing toothpaste recommended by your dental health care provider. Additionally, if your child is suitable to use remineralising products such as Toothmousse, application is highly beneficial. Toothmousse is a topical agent that prevents demineralisation.

Additionally, ensure your toddler regularly drinks tap water, and consumes enough calcium, vitamins and probiotics. These will include milk, cheese and yoghurts, as well as green leafy vegetables and fruit for a balanced diet.

Dental Visits

“Visit the dentist regularly to make sure your child’s teeth stay healthy” – Dr Narisha Chawia

Have your child visit the dental clinic regularly to ensure their teeth stay in good health. Prior to their first dental visit, it’s a good idea to let your child watch you in the dental chair before the appointment so that your child will have a better understanding on what to expect. Regular appointments should be discussed and agreed upon with your dentist to ensure they are scheduled at the most appropriate intervals for your child and their age. With regular dental visits small problems are identified and treated.