SECRETS TO A GREAT SMILE

o Care tips Your dentist wants You To know o Health Conditions Your Dentist May be the first to know o Secrets to brushing & flossing for your kids o Child dental care quiz o What to do in a dental emergency o Dental Specialists and what they do o How to choose a good dentist o Many more dental facts & tips ! www.Dentallasvegas.net

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Table of Contents
Your Dentist Is Critical To Overall Health Management.3 So Who Is the Most Important Person On Your Dental Team!............................3 The 7 Health Conditions Your Dentist May Be The First To Find..4 What You Need To Know Before Selecting A Dentist4 Do You Know Which Dental Health Specialist Is For You5 The Anatomy Of A Tooth..6 Key Tooth Terms To Know6 Things You May Not Know About Tooth Loss.7 Helpful Hints For Your Childs Dental Health..8 Prevent Bottle Mouth With Your Child..9 Tooth Restoration or Replacement Techniques..10 The Progression of Tooth Decay..11 Common Questions About Your Dental Health.12 Did You Know.12 Things your Dentist Wants to Drill In Your Head..13 In Case of EMERGENCY!.......................................................................................13 Self Test For Your Childs Teeth:..14 & 15

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Your Dentist Is Critical To Overall Health Management

Many people separate their dental health from other health or medical needs. However, the condition of our teeth are essential to overall health as well. Your mouth is the entrance to your body with teeth and gums being the initial workforce that allows all foods to enter your body. This is directly linked to your digestive system, nervous system, blood stream, and skeletal systems that are synchronized to your bodys functions. Your dentist specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases relating to tooth, gum, and jaw bone diseases which can significantly impact your overall health. By having regular visits with your dentist you can take a proactive approach to preventing any of these costly oral health problems.

So Who Is the Most Important Person On Your Dental Team!

You are of course. The best dental care provider cant help prevent decay and oral health problems if you dont do your part. By following these steps you are practicing good dental hygiene and the health of your teeth and gums can be preserved for a very long time Brush your teeth after each meal and floss one time daily Eat a well balanced diet as nutrition plays a serious role in overall dental helth Have a dental check-up and cleaning every 6 months

Dental Facts
Only 12% of Americans floss daily, 30% floss less than daily, and just

49% dont floss at all

American Dental Association

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The 7 Health Conditions Your Dentist May Be The First To Find

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Gum Disease (Periodontitis) red, sore, and swollen gums can be an early indicator of Heart Disease or Stroke Pale and sore gums could indicate that you are anemic Severe tooth enamel erosion may indicate an eating disorder such as bulimia or a gastric condition. Sensitive and bright red gums that bleed easily could be sign of Leukemia. If air blowing on your gums makes them bleed you may be pregnant White spots on your gums that do not heal may be a sign of oral cancer Bad breath, dry mouth, bleeding or receding gums are often associated with diabetes

What You Need To Know Before Selecting A Dentist

Is the dentist covered by your dental insurance plan? Does the dentist perform the services you are looking for? You may be looking for a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry or pediatric dentist for your child. Does the dentist handle emergencies and how? Is the dentist office hours and location convenient for you? What is the average wait time for non-emergency appointments? What are the fees for typical services such as teeth cleaning, x-rays, and check-ups? Does the dentist provide a pay plan and what are the terms? If going to the dentist creates anxiety, what procedures does the dentist provide for nervous patients such as nitrous oxide for relaxation

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Do You Know Which Dental Health Specialist Is For You Type of Dental or Oral Health Care Provider
General Dentist

Services They Provide

Like your primary care physician, this dentist examines and monitors the general health and condition of your mouth and teeth. The general care dentist uses many procedures for restoring teeth that have decay, from injuries, or disease Pediatric dentists have specialized training in childrens dentistry and their common conditions. They use equipment designed for children and specialize in helping kids feel more comfortable at the dentist. Perform surgery of the mouth, jaw, and face. Common procedures are dental implants, correcting cleft palates, and repairing facial injuries like a fractured jaw. Periodontists specialize in diseases of the gums and other tissues that support your teeth. If you have ever had a root canal its possible that it was performed by an Endodontist. This specialist focuses on the pulp or the nerves, tissue, and blood vessels inside your teeth and the surrounding tissues of you tooths root. He or she makes sure your teeth are straight and meet properly (a proper bite). Braces and retainers are common tools used by an Otthodontist From teeth whitening and tooth veneers to gingival sculpting, bridges, and braces, the Cosmetic Dentist has the tools to deliver a great looking smile. The Dental Hygienist is crucial to your dental health conducting initial exams, teeth cleaning, scraping away stubborn tartar, x-rays, and sound dental care advice.

Pediatric Dentist (Pedodontist)

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Periodontist Endodontist

Orthodontist Cosmetic / Aesthetic Dentist Dental Hygienist

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The Anatomy Of A Tooth

KEY TOOTH TERMS TO KNOW:

Dentin: Under the enamel, the dentin takes up the largest mass of the tooth and can also become decayed Crown: Visible top portion of the tooth Enamel: Shiny white portion of the tooth. This tough surface can become decayed and damaged Pulp: Made of nerves, tissue, and blood vessels. With untreated cavities this area becomes damaged and leads to tooth loss. Root: Part of the tooth that is not visible. The root attaches the tooth to the bone and makes up about two-thirds the length of the tooth.

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Things You May Not Know About Tooth Loss

You may take your teeth for granted sometimes. We all realize that their primary purpose is to chew food and prepare our nutritious meals to enter the digestive system. Your teeth also play a vital role to the structure of your face and even with a lost tooth proper maintenance steps must occur to prevent your jawbone from deteriorating in the space where the tooth once existed. The remaining teeth can also shift out of alignment. With people who are missing several teeth their jawbones will shrink in size. The gums will begin to recede and the area between the nose and the chin begins to decrease. This is commonly seen with senior citizens. This gives a sunken look or facial collapse appearance making a person look older than they actually are. With dental implants and advancements in cosmetic dentistry this aged look can be repaired in many cases dramatically improving a persons facial appearance.

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FACTOID: Nearly half of all smokers over the age of 65 who smoke daily have no teeth As a result implants or false teeth are needed.

Helpful Hints For Your Childs Dental Health

1.With toddlers let them pick out a fun brush of a favorite character and toothpaste recommended by the ADA. Use a very small dab of paste. If swallowing is a problem you will be able to find a non-fluoride brand until this is no longer a problem. 2. Use a doll or character to teach good brushing technique or let your child brush your teeth to demonstrate. 3. As your children grow continue to assist them with brushing and flossing until they are comfortable with this dental maintenance by about age five or six. 4. Encourage kids to brush in a circular motion for a 3-minute time period. Give them a timer or another method to track this time. It is also helpful to make this part of their list of responsibilities that parents can track 5. If your children are struggling with brushing use award charts and other honor measures such as star or sticker charts that can be part of a daily plan. 6. If necessary you may need a fluoride supplement from your dentist if your water supply does not have fluoride added. This is an important part to your childs dental health. 7. Encourage healthy eating such a fruits and other crunchy snacks opposed to the sugary snacks that are so common. This helps for dental and overall health development. 8. Teenagers tend develop quite an appetite for snacks and sodas which are high in sugar content. Encourage healthy eating habits and emphasize foods high in calcium. 9. If you have a teen with lip or tongue piercings be careful as these can lead to infections around the mouth and a chipped tooth or two is not unheard of as well. 10. Wisdom teeth or your teens third molars often start to appear around the age of 16. Typically, there is not enough room in the mouth and these teeth often only partially rise above the gum line or they may not break through at all. These teeth tend to crowd other teeth and they are prone to decay. Most dentists will suggest pulling these teeth to prevent these problems.

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How To Pevent Bottle Mouth With Your Child

A serious contributor to decay with toddlers is from Bottle Mouth due to children continuing to drink milk, formula, or juices from a bottle over an extended period of time. All of these fluids contain sugars which are converted to acids after reacting with the bacteria in your childs mouth. This process begins within 20 minutes of drinking from a bottle. These acids are harmful to the enamel on your childs teeth leading to decay. Here are some steps that you can use to prevent harmful results from bottle use. If your child goes to bed with a bottle use water because decay causing acids at n nighttime is even more likely as you have less saliva when sleeping and acids from juices and milk can be more damaging. Wipe your toddlers teeth with a gauze cloth after feeding Begin brushing your babys teeth as soon as they are visible Have a dental visit by your childs first birthday and schedule regular visits as suggested.

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Tooth Restoration or Replacement Techniques

After a visit to the dentist you have learned that you have a cavity or possibly more extensive tooth decaywhats next? Fortunately, there have been many advancements and effective resolutions to teeth restoration that you and your dentist to take to resolve these matters. These are the most common techniques used today. Dental Fillings: In most cases with a cavity your dentist can remove the decay and fill the removed area with various materials to reaffirm the tooths use and strength. Some of the materials used in fillings includes: Amalgams These are metal fillings and have been used by dentists for more than a century. These materials are durable and less expensive but concerns over mercury in these types of fillings have raised concern. Dentists have varying opinions regarding amalgam fillings but the ADA and FDA continue to support these materials. Ceramic/Porcelain These filling materials are very durable and stain resistant however they are more expensive than other options. Veneers/Dental Composites These are a mixture of resins and powdered glass closely resembling natural teeth. This versatile material is used to fill cavities, cracks, and chips and often is a less expensive option for minor cosmetic procedures. You often hear to people refer to these dental composites as veneers when used for cosmetic purposes. Glass Ionomer This is created from an acrylic and glass blend and dont always require drilling which is pleasing for both children and parents alike. This unique filling bonds to the tooth and actually released fluoride to help strengthen the tooth by controlling decay before reaching the gum line. Extractions (Pulled Tooth): A tooth with excessive decay or a dead tooth that can not be saved via root canal needs to be extracted to prevent infection or abscess. Typically, with a mouth that has been numbed with local anesthesia a tooth can be pulled in a few moments by the dentist. Some procedures may be more complicated requiring specialized services from an oral surgeon. Root Canals: New dental advancements have allowed this procedure to be much less complicated and less painful for patients than in years past. This procedure is needed when decay spreads into the root or pulp of the tooth. This process involves removing the decayed pulp, cleaning &

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disinfecting the canal region, and filling the cleared area. Once this procedure is completed your tooth is fitted with a crown that covers the tooth and protects the tooth. Bridges: A bridge is used to fill the gap or gaps between teeth. It utilizes an artificial tooth that is held in place with caps on neighboring teeth or by implants. Dental Implants: This is the best alternative for tooth replacement available. Implants have an artificial root that actually bonds with the jaw bone and is a very sturdy and reliable option. When possible small implants are used as they do not require a surgical procedure like regular sized implants. This also allows for immediate use of a bridge

The Progression of Tooth Decay

Your teeth do not become decayed immediately. There is a progression with many contributing factors that you and your teeth make leading to dental diseases and decay or tooth loss. Here is a path of progression. Invisible film called plaque builds on your teeth and between teeth and gums.
The bacteria from your food and drink sticks to the plaque creating an acid that attacks teeth and enamel. Over time leads to cavities

The Beginning of Gum Disease The bacteria that causes decay can attack the gums and lead to the gum disease Gingivitis

If cavities go untreated the acids and bacteria continues to eat away at the tooth and begins to decay the pulp. This often kills the tooth and leads to an infection or abscess

Gingivitis progresses to a more severe infection called Periodontitis. Gums begin to separate from your teeth causing them to loosen

The infection that started with the accumulation of plaque has now progressed into the jawbone gradually dissolving the bone

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Common Questions About Your Dental Health

How does the dentist know that I have not been flossing regularly? Gums that easily bleed and are red and irritated along with cavities in areas where your teeth meet are indicators that you have not flossed regularly. How does oral surgery repair gum disease? Oral surgery may be required in incidents of severe gum disease or due to aging. It is common for a skin graft from the roof of the mouth to treat the receding gums. Depending on the size of the graft the surgery may be performed with a local anesthesia or it may require sedation. Is gum chewing good for your teeth an gums? Yes, it can be if you are chewing sugarless gum and you do so for 20 minutes following meals to help reduce the acids that contributes to decay. Look for brands with the ADA seal on the packaging. Are dental sealants good for adults and children? For sure, sealants are protective sealants for your back teeth that can protect both children and adults from the harmful acids and bacteria that leads to decay

Did You Know If a tooth gets knocked out you can either put it back in its socket or in a cup of milk until you are able to get to the dentist. That you can acquire decay causing bacteria by kissing. That left handed people tend to chew on the left sides of their mouth while right handed people chew on the right side. Wisdom teeth most commonly break into the mouth at age 18.

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Things your Dentist Wants to Drill In Your Head

You get the lecture at the dentist and you wish you would have followed directions after your last appointment but You must floss your teeth daily! Brushing can not remove the food between your teeth so you must floss regularly to avoid decay! Your dental health does not cure itself over time. You must visit the dentist for not only preventative treatment but also to take of any pre-existing problems. Dental visits twice yearly is the best way to maintain good dental health and intervene should any new issues arise. No matter how old you are you still may need braces! Gone are the days of giant metal brackets attached to your teeth like a teenage hanging out at the mall. New brace technologies and improvements allow adults to benefit from braces without the appearance of having metal all over the place.

In Case of EMERGENCY!
Broken Tooth: Contact your dentist and set up an appointment as soon as possible. You will need x-rays and an evaluation of your mouth to assess all damaged areas. Due to high risk of infection the tooth may require a root canal to prevent the pulp from damage or the tooth could require extraction. Tooth Knocked Out: Place tooth into a glass of water or milk and handle the tooth by the crown if it cant be held in the socket. Contact the dentist immediately as time is essential. The sooner you can see the dentist the more likely it is that the tooth will reattach and mend in its socket. Severe Tooth Pain/Toothache: This may be from many factors such as a crack, stuck fool, or exposed cavity. Get an appointment with the dentist as soon as you can. In the mean time rinse with warm salt water and take a non-aspirin pain reliever. For immediate comfort an ice pack may also be effective.

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Self Test For Your Childs Teeth:

1. Which of the following can help prevent cavities? A) Control Snacking B) Brush twice Daily C) Regular Flossing D) All of these 2. A baby who is breastfed exclusively may not be getting enough fluoride. True or False 3. Teething can cause the following for your baby. A) Irritability B) High fever C) Vomiting & diarrhea D) Runny nose and cough 4. At what age do permanent teeth come in? A) 6 months B) 4-5 years C) 6-7 years D) 9-11 years 5. Sealants are a plastic substance applied to teeth to prevent cavities. True or False 6. At what age should you begin cleaning your kid's teeth? A) 12 months old B) 3 years of age C) Once they have 3 or more teeth D) As soon as the first tooth appears 7. Grape juice, certain antibiotics, and too much fluoride can stain a young childs teeth. True or False 8. Your child should visit a dentist once a year for check-ups? True or False 9. Which of the following can be the sign of a cavity? A) Toothache B) Tooth sensitive to hot or cold fluids C) Tooth thats discolored/stained D) All of the above 10) If your child has trouble spitting out toothpaste after brushing you should: A) Use just a pea sized dab of fluoride toothpaste B) Use a toothpaste without fluoride C) Use a childrens toothpaste D) A and B

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Self Test For Your Childs Teeth Answers 1. D) All of the Above 2. True: A baby should receive supplemental fluoride added in tap or bottled water 3. A) Irritability. It is thought that teething causes other symptoms but normally just makes him/her fussy 4. C) Age 6-7 usually the central incisors and 1st molars are usually the first teeth to show 5. True. They are applied to the grooved and pitted areas of teeth to prevent cavities. 6. D) As soon as the first tooth appears 7. True: All of these items can lead to stained teeth for young children 8. False: Your child should see the dentist every 6 months. 9. D) All of the above 10. D) Too much fluoride can stain your child's teeth. either avoid using a fluoride toothpaste or use a very small amount until he is spitting the toothpaste out.

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