Smile with Confidence: A Comprehensive Guide to Dental Health and Care

Tag: clean teeth

team of dentists at a practice

Dental Office Tooth Whitening

A white smile has always been important, but it seems like it’s getting more important every day. Even though most of us spend more time on the computer these days, because of the very social nature of the Internet, having a bright, white smile has become one of the most vital assets we have today. But what do you do if your teeth are dull, yellowed, or even brown? Well, you probably don’t smile nearly as much as you’d like and that’s just not acceptable, especially since dental office whitening procedures are more affordable than ever. But that’s not all. Today, there are so many effective tooth-whitening methods available to patients throughout the country that happen right in the chair of your family dentist, and that means you know you can trust their safety and results. Following is more information on the most popular and effective dental office tooth whitening procedures available.

Does Thumb Sucking Damage Teeth?

“Do all kids suck their thumb, or is my kid unusual?” asks a worried mom, but the pediatrician assures her it is normal for most babies and toddlers to suck their thumbs, in fact, they also like to suck on their fingers, hands, or items such as pacifiers, especially while they are teething.  Generally, most children stop sucking their thumb on their own at age 3 to 6 years.

For adults, who are taught at an early age to keep germy hands off the face, especially during cold and flu season, the idea of thumb-sucking and the spread of germs is pretty horrifying, especially if you are a germaphobe.

Why do Babies Suck Their Thumbs?

Babies have a natural urge to suck, and this urge usually decreases after the age of 6 months.  Many babies continue sucking their thumbs as a means to soothe themselves and continue the habit as toddlers, as a means to comfort themselves when they feel hungry, afraid, restless, quiet, sleepy, or are bored.

How Long Is It “Socially Acceptable” For a Child to Suck Their Thumb?

Foods that Stain Teeth

Everyone has a guilty pleasure food, but do they wear it on their teeth? If you like hard candies some of us can tell. The more obvious would be blue mouth. You might not have heard it called this, but I bet you know what it is. Someone eats a hard candy that’s blue and when they are finished their teeth and mouth is dyed blue. This will make anyone think twice about enjoying that food in public. More seriously, there are certain foods that will stain your teeth over time. A dental office has tips for reducing stained teeth.

How to Clean Teeth Between Brushing

We all know that dentists suggest brushing as one of the most important daily health tips. But who hasn’t found themselves in a situation where you become separated from your toothbrush? Maybe you forgot to pack it for a trip or ended up staying the night somewhere and you weren’t planning to. Here are a few ways to clean your teeth without a toothbrush or toothpaste. It’s important to note that this doesn’t replace regular brushing, but is a temporary fix for those times you find yourself without proper dental equipment once in a while.

Routine Dental Care

Walt Disney once said, “A kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” Needless to say, this was a metaphor. No one wants to experience an actual kick in the teeth … not just because it’s painful, but also because, well, everyone likes having nice teeth! Right about now you may be thinking, “Well, duh!” However, have you ever thought about how likely it is that someday you may lose teeth due to improper dental care? A healthy dental care routine often is all that’s necessary to ensure that your teeth remain with you for the rest of your life. But keeping your teeth may be only half the story. Recent studies have shown a potential link between poor oral hygiene and risk factors for developing certain medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The fact is that poor dental hygiene is the main reason that people throughout the country can experience tooth decay, tooth loss, and even loss of the bone structures surrounding the teeth. Here are some tips on optimal dental care routines for everyone in your family.