How to Properly Floss the Teeth

If you’re someone who wants to floss their chompers correctly, you’re not alone.  There are certain steps that you need to take in order to floss this correctly. In this, we’ll go over the exact steps necessary for you to floss your teeth well, and different ways for you to properly floss them to benefit your oral health.

Why floss 

Flossing is part of your oral care routine for the sole reason that it gets in between the teeth.

It was found in a study that if you floss your teeth and only do that, you’re less likely to get tooth decay than if you choose to only brush your teeth.

Simply put, flossing is great for your oral health needs, and it’s vital for ensuring that there isn’t any tooth decay or other problems.

Learning how to do it right is important, since it prevents further decay from occurring whenever it happens to you.

So, with that in mind, let’s go over the exact steps necessary to properly floss your teeth without issues.

How to Floss 

The first thing that you need is floss that works for you.  You can get any old floss, or flavored floss if that’s something that you like.

After that, take a strip that’s long enough to wrap along the middle finger a couple of times, and then, hold across with your other hand.  Cut that using the box for ease of access. 

Now that you have that, take a small section about an inch, and hold it between your pointer and thumb on each hand. Have the excess on each side wrapped around your pointer finger on the left, and the index finger on the right, or vice versa if you’re left handed.

After that, you want to move to the very back of your mouth. Take a strip of this, and from there, you want to gently push it down so that it's between the teeth, right at the gumline. From here, you want to clean it with the floss, like how you might with a toothpick.  After that, pull it up, or if the gap is too tight, just pull it through, letting go with the right hand.

After that, you take the area that you used to clean between those teeth and hold it on the right. Thread out more with your left hand, and from there, you want to repeat this process.

Continue with this until you have it done on all of the teeth. You may need more floss if you find that the piece is too small the first time. It takes a little bit to get this perfected, but once you do, you’ll be glad that you did.

After that, you take the floss and toss it in the nearest wastebasket, and then, when it’s time for a new flossing session, you just get some new floss, and then continue.

Some people do better with those plackers types of flossers, or with a water flosser. But good old-fashioned floss is the way for you to go, as it allows you a chance to properly get the oral care that you need, and fight off tooth decay immediately! Now that you know this, try flossing today, and see for yourself the difference that it makes, now that you know how to floss correctly, and are able to take care of your teeth. You’ll find that your dentist is happy, and you’re happy too with the difference that this makes for your teeth, and your oral health right now for you.

Herpangina in Children

Children get scratches and bumps like anyone else due to their curiosity and interest in the world around them. But what if the bumps happen in their mouth, and not as a result of them falling? It could be herpangina.  Here, we’ll go over what herpangina is, and how to relieve the discomfort associated with this condition. 

What it is

It’s something that does come with mouth sores, but you also may get a headache, loss of appetite, fever, and even a sore throat, all of which can make swallowing hurt in a lot of cases. 

The sores in the mouth are like tiny fluid bumps or even blisters that are white or even whitish gray, with a border that’s red. 

Visible on the mouth roof, the back of one’s throat, and sometimes in specific areas in the mouth. Sometimes, a fever accompanies it, which can be quick, ranging from 101 to even as high as 106 in a lot of cases. The biggest thing to worry about is avoiding dehydration, as it happens a lot in this condition. 

Relieving Discomfort 

Because herpangina is a viral condition, the symptoms can be discomforting.  Many times, healthcare professionals diagnose this, but it’s mild, with no specifics in terms of treatment. 

There are different ways to relieve symptoms, which include: 

• Reducing fever and pain with acetaminophen and ibuprofen 

• Increasing foods or fluids that will help with lowering temperatures 

• Eating a diet that’s bland and not irritating 

• Gargling with peroxyl and cold water 

Try to also make sure that the oral health environment is maintained too. Have them brush their teeth and take care of it as best as they can. 

A mouthwash may be used too in this case, in order to heal the irritation a little bit faster. However, you should always check with the dentist, in order to ensure that rinses are appropriate for them before they get thrown into the oral care routines. 

Herpangina is a contagious disease, and it can be something that does spread to siblings and classmates. That means, practicing good oral hygiene and also practicing good overall hygiene is imperative. 

Disinfect the surfaces that a child has touched in a lot of cases. 

You may even need to isolate the child, keeping them at home, and away from other people, so that they don’t spread the infection. 

If they’re in daycare, you may need to keep them at home, until the symptoms resolve. 

Now, you don’t send them back until they’ve fully made a recovery. This can be a bit of a challenge for some parents, as they may believe that once the fever breaks, it’s okay. However, due to the contagious nature of this disease, it’s better to keep them at home until they’ve managed a swift, speedy recovery. 

Herpangina is a condition that has a lot of lingering effects if one isn't careful, and it can affect the mouth, along with the rest of the body. Like other colds and ways of getting sick, it can take some time for you to properly get used to this. With that said, if you notice that you have some issues, the best thing for you to do is to make sure that you get the treatment that you do. 

Herpangina is treatable, and it can be a bit scary for children. But with the proper treatment and wellness, you’ll be able to improve the aspects of this, and in turn, you’ll be able to, over time, create and craft the best experience that you can, and enjoy the results too.

Heart Disease and Oral health: The Connection

Did you know that your oral health is much more intimately connected than you think? There is now evidence between oral health and heart disease connections. New studies have shown that for those with mild to moderate gum disease, they may be at risk for heart disease compared to those with healthy gums. Oral healthcare does provide warning signs for a variety of conditions and diseases too, including those in the heart. 

So can Bad teeth really cause heart Problems? 

Yes, it can. This is because of the bacteria and germ spread that happens from the mouth to various other parts of the body, entering via the bloodstream. When they reach the heart, they’ll attach to damaged areas, creating inflation. Of course, according to the mayo clinic, this may result in endocarditis, which is an infection involving the inner lining parts of the heart. It can also cause a risk of atherosclerosis to form, along with stroke, both of which are linked by oral bacteria. 

Who’s at Risk? 

Those with chronic gum conditions, including periodontitis and gingivitis, are at a higher risk for heart disease due to bad oral health. This is especially true if it remains unmanaged and undiagnosed.  The bacteria that’s associated directly with oral infections does enter the bloodstream. It attaches to the blood vessels, increasing one’s risk for heart disease. 

Even if one doesn’t have noticeable inflation, good oral hygiene is something that can help with reducing the amount of biofilm that shows up, and also reduces your heart disease risk even more. 

Bacteria does move, and it can go to the bloodstream. This causes the C reactive protein, which marks inflammation for one’s blood vessels, to increase.

 

Yes, this can increase your risk for stroke, depending upon who you are. 

Signs, Symptoms and Prevention 

So what should you look out for if you may be at risk for this? 

Well, if you’ have gum disease, especially in its early stages, which puts you at risk for heart disease. 

Some other signs include: 

• Red, swollen gums that are sore to touch 

• They bleed when you brush, eat or floss your teeth. 

• There’s pus, or other infection signs around the teeth and gums 

• They’re pulling away from the teeth. 

• You’ve got bad breath, or bad taste in your mouth. 

• You have teeth that are loose, or feel like they’re moving away from the other teeth too 

Now that you know abut this, how can you prevent it? 

Well, the best way is oral hygiene.  Protecting your teeth and practicing good oral hygiene prevents the brunt of this. 

Brushing your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits within the mouth is your first place to start. This helps keep the teeth surfaces adequately brushed.

Also, use an ADA-certified toothpaste proven as well by many to increase one’s gum health in about four weeks. 

Finally, make sure that you floss daily, and also see your dental hygienist to get regular cleanings, especially if you need it. 

When you take care of your oral health, you help your body health, and you also protect yourself from developing these heart-body connections, including heart disease and other such problems.  You’ll be able to keep the smile clean, healthy, and even beautiful, throughout all parts of your life. 

Your oral health does matter, and for a lot of people, there are a lot of great ways to make your oral health really shine. The best way to prevent bad things is to be proactive, so do something about this right away. 

Titanium Implant Allergies

One thing that happens when you damage your teeth, is the replacement option. Dental implants are one of these, and it’s a great way to replace them. That's because it feels and looks like an actual tooth.But what happens if the body rejects this, and also what might happen next? Implants are made with a metal alloy, and in a few cases, people do get allergies from the titanium in there and you’ll be able to recognize the symptoms and get a diagnosis from the dentist. 

What implants Are 

Implants are essentially a replacement for the tooth. It’s inserted into the jawbone in a screw or cylinder one.  It won’t make noise or slip, and then, an abutment joins the implant and the crown together.

 Once the surgery is finished, crowns get put on part of the implant, and further protrude through one’s gumline. 

Usually, dental implant surgery is something that takes some time to heal. It takes longer if you’re removing the tooth that’s damaged, struggling with bone grafting, and also the placement of the crown and the rest of it.  Once this is placed, then you just have to practice proper oral hygiene in order to heal that area. This does take a long time, especially months. 

Implant Rejection 

While titanium causes a lot fewer problems compared to other types of metals, there’s the allergy factor some people struggle with. 

The International Journal of Implant Dentistry notes that the corrosion and wear that happens with these implants can happen when the titanium alloy gets put into the tissues surrounding it.  

It can cause inflammatory reactions, bone loss, or even hypersensitivity that can create implant failure. 

How does one know if they have an implant allergy though? 

It usually involves the following: 

• Skin redness around the implant area 

• Hives on the skin and the surface of the gum. 

• Eczema and itching of the gums and skin. 

• Pain and swelling 

• Tissues and cell death around your implant 

• Yellow nail syndrome or other toxic reactions (this also does affect the airways and lungs) 

• Bone loss 

If this does happen, don’t wait, and contact the dentist right away! 

Diagnosis of the Allergy 

Most of the time, dental professionals may look at the mouth and the implant site.  They also may do diagnostic types of tests like the patch test to figure out where the allergy is happening. 

They may also use in vitro blood tests so that you can get a feel for the metal allergy. There is also the lymphocyte transformation test and the lymphocyte migration inhibition test to help you get a feel for the allergy to the area and the sites. 

They also may look at whether it’s an allergy or something else. 

If there is an allergy, they might use zirconia instead. However, due to the lack of long-term data, the professional may look to other options. 

Noticing that you might be allergic to the implant can be overwhelming and disappointing. But the cool thing about this, is that there are many new evolutions to implants that you can use, and plenty of options to choose from. Dental professionals will help you treat this allergy, ensuring that the gap within the mouth and the treatments are ideal for you. 

The sooner you do this the better, especially since it can cause issues with the body, and there is a strong chance that it could impact your health on other levels. You don't want that, right? 

Then start taking care of this right away, and start changing out the titanium implants, especially if you’re worried about the potential effects.

What causes Submandibular Gland Swelling

Most people know what salivary glands are, and they usually aren’t something that we think about. But if something goes awry, then we’ll notice this quickly. Our salivary glands are used to chew, swallow, speak to others, and also wash out the food that’s on our teeth. The submandibular gland swelling is associated with infection, dry mouth, and most other conditions. Burt, most of the causes of this are easy to treat. 

What the Submandibular glands are 

They’re basically two walnut-sized glands on each part of your face, right in front of the curve near the lower jaw, at the back part of the mouth. Along with the salivary glands, the glands here provide saliva, which contain different enzymes that’ll break down minerals and food, reducing the damage of acids and food on the enamel of the tooth. Saliva also makes food that you chew nice and wet, along with easy for you to swallow too. 

Causes of the Swelling 

If you feel some kind of swelling under the lower portion of the jaw, this could be known as swollen submandibular glands. Swollen glands are caused usually by small stones that block the ducts, and those that channel saliva into the mouth. These stones can be made through saliva, especially when you’re dehydrated. 

When stones block salivary glands, this is known as sialolithiasis, which is where you have pain and swelling in that gland.  While not totally known, this is associated with gout and liver disease. 

According to The Journal of Medical research, sialolithiasis is one of the most common types of salivary gland diseases, and the submandibular gland is usually affected in about 83% of different cases. 

The infections usually come from ducts that are blocked.  In most of these cases, the swelling is accompanied by pus and redness too. 

Salivary gland swelling also happens when you have a tumor.  This can be caused by both non cancerous and cancerous tumors, and the glands might be firmer due to this infection. 

Cancerous tumors tend to be much harder to fix and they usually are stuck to the tissue of the gland. However, tumors that aren’t cancerous might be removable. 

Talk to your dentist if you have this, so that you can get an effective treatment. 

The Treatment  for Swollen Salivary Glands 

The treatment does vary based on the severity of this. earl/y treatment will save you from developing infections. 

According to the national health service, you do want to increase the production of saliva through chewing gum and drinking tons of water. You can also massage the stone in order to dislodge this. 

If you can’t treat this at home, push the stone out through the submandibular gland, at your doctor’s office, and they use a small instrument to do this. In the rare case that it’s stuck, they may need to use surgery to get this out. If you do have a condition that causes you to develop this, getting treatment early will help with reducing the risk of developing this. 

If you do have an infection here, a doctor can prescribe some kinds of antibiotics, and also get any pus joust, especially if there is an abscess. Swelling caused by tumors, however, must be treated with surgery. Cancerous tumors need to be treated right away and do require minoring. If it’s painful, you can use a warm compress on the gland area directly, and also rinse out the mouth with water in order to help with the discomfort. Overall, make sure that you watch your water, and avoid smoking to prevent this formation. 

Diet and Oral Health

Tooth decay is a big part of a person’s oral health, and if you let it linger, it causes extractions, fillings and the like. Decay occurs when the sugar does react with the plaque bacteria, forming acids that will eventually destroy your enamel. After his happens a few times, this will cause a hole to form, and the cavity gets in there, causing further decay far quicker. 

So how does food play a part in this? decay is caused by sugars, all of which come in different forms, with most of the “ose” words being the source for this. fructose, glucose, and sucrose are common ones. And they are, of course, gross, damaging the teeth.

Processed foods have higher sugars in them and tend to appear higher on the ingredient list. Try to read the ingredients when you’re out shopping for food. 

When you do read, make sure you’re mindful of the different types of items that are in there. if there isn’t “added sugar” that doesn’t mean that it’s totally sugar free, just there’s no extra sugar.   They might contain carbs, so make sure you’re sure of what you’re putting in your body before you have it. 

Can drinks and foods cause erosion? 

Yes they can, especially if they’re acid.  T his dissolves the tooth enamel. Anything with a smaller pH than 5.5 may cause this. some alkalis do have a higher pH that will cancel out the different pH that the acidic foods have. 7 is the number that’s right in the middle. 

Here are some foods that are more alkali: 

• Mineral water 

• Milk 

• Cheddar cheese 

Some of the more acidic foods are: 

• Lager 

• Orange juice 

• Pickles 

• Grapefruits 

• Sodas 

• Vinegar 

• Red wine 

So if you are going to have them, you want to make sure that you balance these out. for example, you have some fruit? Eat some cheese after that. 

Some good savory snacks may be good as well, such as: 

• Raw veggies 

• Breadsticks 

• Nuts 

What about Sweets 

You need to bear in mind that there’s no set amount of what you can drink in terms of sugar, and same with eating, but it’s more based on how often you consume these. Sweets are fine but have them during meals. Don’t just walk around in between and have some cookies. 

Try to reduce the sugar foods, and consider having xylitol gum, in order to help offset the effects of tooth decay. Sugary foods and items cause a ton of different health issues, such as increasing body weight, heart disease, and other problems. 

Why this matters 

So you might wonder why your diet has such an intimate connection with oral health. Well, whenever you eat or drink something, the teeth get thrown under an attack of acid for up to an hour, because the sugar naturally reacts with the bacteria inside plaque, the sticky parts of the teeth, and creates acids that are harmful. So make sure that you have these foods and drinks during mealtimes and limit the time that the mouth gets at risk.

When you constantly consume acids, it’s harmful, and the acid will erode or dissolve the enamel, and expose your dentine under this, and make the teeth unsightly and sensitive. 

Diets rich in vitamins, minerals, and even fruits and veggies help with this.   you can prevent gum disease, which will cause you to reduce the tooth loss, and bad breath that’s there. 

So yes, keep your diet good, and keep your teeth aligned, for the best results you can get!

What to do about Cracked Molars

 When it comes to consuming food, molars are the MVPS. They do a lot of the work, and sometimes, if they crack, it can be a major problem.  You do need them.  Here, we’ll go over the cracks in molars, what to do about them, and the treatment before you get to the dentist, and when you get there. 

How it Happens 

Cracks in molars happen due to the fact that they’re on the mouth’s side and back, and they absorb the brunt of the force whenever you chew something. Hard types of foods such as candy, and even chewing on some ice leads to this. 

Teeth grinding also causes this a lot of times too. Sometimes, you may not even realize that this is happening until you get a shot of pain through the mouth, and it can be quite sensitive as well, especially when drinking or eating foods that are cold or hot.  If you suspect this, it’s better to get an appointment sooner than later to look into this and get relief fast! 

What to do when waiting for Appointments 

Obviously, not every person’s able to get in immediately to their dentist. If you’re not able to, there are a few things to figure out before seeing them. 

Make a note first and foremost of the location of the pain. That way, you’re able to create a better experience, and also have a cracked molar treatment that is pinpointed. 

Try not to chew on the side with the crack, so that it doesn’t get worse or cause further problems 

Keep anything hot or cold away from that area if you can, especially liquids. 

The Diagnosis and Treatment 

If you’re able to get in, the first thing is they’ll look at the teeth. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a crack that only affects the outer layer of the teeth, they’ll look to see if they need to do something immediately. Hairline fractures are usually not a big deal, and if they’re superficial enough, the dentist may be able to just polish and smooth out the area and dissipate the pain as well. 

If it’s more than that however, they may need to do something else.  If there is an infection, or even deeper fractures, then the treatment will be based on crack severity.  Dentists may recommend crowns, root canals, or extraction of the teeth, depending on the situation. 

If there is a situation where you may need to get a root canal or a crown, they’ll do that.  they may need to do this if there is an internal infection problem with the teeth. 

Extraction is the final case scenario, if they’ve exhausted the options, or if the tooth is so far gone that they’re unable to save it. 

They only do that as a last minute thing because molars are integral to tooth structures. If you’ve cracked one, it’s even more important to go see a dentist that will look at this.  This is especially true if it’s sensitive to heat and cool. 

The sooner you’re able to see a dentist, the better it will be.  Hairline fractures are always a best case scenario, and early treatment does mean a difference between just crowning it, getting a root canal to handle inner infections, or an extraction. 

Good oral hygiene keeps this maintained, and when you do regular cleaning that check on the teeth, they keep these molars, which are so hard working mind you, healthy and happy for the long-term, benefitting your mouth in the best ways that it can possibly do so as well.

How to Practice Sustainable Oral health Practices

The environmental changes are something a lot of us stay abreast of.   It has now become something that we are looking at with our oral care products. 

Here, we’ll go over some of the different royal care practices to think about, and how to choose more sustainable types of oral care products as well, so you are reducing your carbon footprint on all fronts. 

What to Look for With sustainable Toothpastes and mouthwashes 

Sustainable toothpastes and mouthwashes are something a lot more people are looking for. They want something without any harmful ingredients and chemicals, but also comes in a manner that’s more eco friendly. 

To find good sustainable toothpastes, you should first look at the packaging. You can actually get toothpaste in glass jars, cardboard boxes, and aluminum tubes as well. if the packaging is important, you definitely should look for this. 

The ingredients, however, are what’s better to look at. You want to make sure that it doesn’t contain palm oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, glycerin, triclosan, or anything artificial.   Try to get a toothpaste that also doesn’t have microbeads, because not only are those made of plastic, but they are toxic substances.   Some are even vegan and cruelty free as well.

While it might not be necessary, this is worth looking into, and you might want to look for activated charcoal toothpaste as well. 

How to Find a Sustainable Toothbrush

Then there are sustainable toothbrushes.   Some people like manual toothbrushes, but others might like electric ones. While these are great, they’re not commonly made with sustainable materials. 

However, bamboo brushes tend to be a better option if the environment is something you worry about. They’re made from a directly sustainable material, and are biodegradable, so you can just compose this when it’s done.   They also tend to be gentler than the plastic ones, which are better for those who have sensitive gums.

However, electric toothbrushes have a longer life, and you only need to replace the heads when they are done. While electric might not be as environmentally sound, they do tend to get deeper with the cleaning, so if you do have gums that are sensitive, or maybe some tooth conditions, it’s easier on that.

Overall, you should look at your budget, and how you want to use these toothbrushes, and from there, get something that fits your needs, and also use less plastic than other normal toothbrushes out there. 

Reducing Waste During Your Dental Routine 

Now that you know a little bit about the toothbrushes and toothpastes that are out there, here’s a few ways to reduce waste during the dental routine.

Obviously, try to go sustainable.   Some people have even made their own oral care items in order to reduce their waste.   Reusable toothbrushes, especially those that are electric, will be best fit for the job, especially since they are much easier to replace.

If you invest in high-quality items, you will also reduce waste. It will last a lot longer, and better too.

When you’re trying to save water, make sure to not leave the sink running. It might sound silly, but you actually waste a ton of water when you do that, so make sure that you do turn the faucet off when you aren’t using it.

A tongue scraper as well might be good, especially if you don’t want to wear out your toothbrush. Metal tongue scrapers last a long time, and they can reduce the plaque in the mouth.

Trying to go zero waste with your tooth products can be a challenge, but here we gave you a few ways to be sustainable.