Monthly Archives: August 2011

Tips for Extraction of Baby Teeth

The permanent tooth is displaced because the milk teeth is not extracted in time

All people at some point in their lives will need to have their baby teeth extracted. The primary reason for extracting these teeth is to make room for permanent teeth. Other reasons for extraction are to prevent the crowding of teeth in the mouth, circumvent tooth decay or prevent injury to the inside of the jaw. No matter which of these scenarios describes your circumstances, there are a number of ways to safely extract baby teeth. Continue reading →

The Ingredients in Freedent Gum

Freedent, the first non-stick chewing gum, was introduced by the Wrigley Company in 1975. Freedent was developed for those who can’t chew regular gum due to dentures and dental work. As of 2010, Freedent is available in Canada, the U.S., France and New Zealand. Wrigley’s Freedent gum comes in peppermint and spearmint. The ingredients of both flavors are nearly identical; the only difference is the peppermint or spearmint oil used for flavoring. Continue reading →

The Ozone Treatment for Cavities

HealOzone instrument - for sterilizing infected tooth

Can ozone be used to treat caries (cavities) without the need for drilling and filling? It seems that ozone therapy in dentistry is coming of age. If one of your teeth has only small areas of decay, we can often use ozone treatment to sterilise it. Bacteria that causes tooth decay is found deep within the tooth structure. Removing these bacteria would usually mean amputating the infected area of the tooth (and there’s always the risk that infected areas could be left behind). A further concern would be that the fillings put into the tooth are not a permanent solution, on average they last between 6 months and a couple of years. Each time the filling is replaced, the filling has to be larger and more of the tooth is damaged. This downward spiral usually leads to expensive dental reconstruction. Continue reading →

The Effects of Bleach on Skin

Bleach is a solution of a compound called sodium hypochlorite; sometimes calcium hypochlorite is called bleach as well. Both compounds dissolve readily in water and are highly alkaline. The Material Safety Data Sheet for Clorox regular bleach, for example, lists the pH of its product as 11.9. Chlorine bleach (a solution of approximately 3–6% sodium hypochlorite, NaClO) and ammonia, when used together, can have very harmful effects on the body. It is especially important to avoid exposing the skin or eyes to bleach when handling it, as such an exposure can cause severe tissue damage. Continue reading →

The Disadvantages of Porcelain Crowns

A porcelain crown

Teeth can become weak due to extensive damage to the teeth, or certain dental procedures, or worn from age or neglect. When this happens your dentist can fit a crown, which will protect the tooth against future damage for up to 20 years. Crowns then are ‘covers’ for our teeth that fit over the chewing surface and over and around the outside surfaces like a glove. This can be used then to cover abscesses thus protecting exposed nerves and preventing food from getting trapped inside the gaps between the cusps in our teeth. Continue reading →

The History of Gold Dental Castings

Gold metal framework in dentures

Where and when gold was first used in connection with the care of teeth as opposed to their decoration are matters of doubt and disagreement. However, it is generally agreed that gold was first used in dentistry over 2500 years ago, and its dental applications have increased steadily, especially during the past 100 of years, to the point where they now absorb over 80 tons of gold per annum. In some cultures, gold teeth and gold teeth caps are a sign of wealth or a means of protecting fortunes, but gold also has its place in the modern history of dental castings. Continue reading →

The Effect of Bruxism on Dental Implant Success

Dental implant can be used to replace a missing tooth

If you lose a tooth because of trauma or disease, a dental professional can create a dental implant to replace that tooth. Implants are titanium rods that replace the root section of the missing tooth and serve as a base for either a porcelain or an acrylic plastic tooth. Continue reading →

The Effects of an Impacted Canine Tooth

Canine teeth are the sharp, pointy teeth that are located between the incisors and the premolars. An impacted canine means the tooth has only grown partially through the gums and have not yet erupted into the regular position, even after the normal eruption period. The canine tooth is a critical tooth in the dental arch and plays an important role in your “bite”. The canine teeth are very strong biting teeth because they have the longest roots of any human teeth. They are designed to be the first teeth that touch when your jaws close together so they guide the rest of the teeth into the proper bite. It is also important for aesthetic reasons as it is a front tooth, and can be seen during talking or smiling. Continue reading →

The Disadvantages of Metal in Tooth Caps

A metal tooth cap

Dental caps in general add a good deal of strength to a weakened or worn tooth, and if all conditions are favourable, a good tooth cap can last ten to fifteen years. Depending on your habits and the condition of your gums, there may be some drawbacks or benefits for you. Your dentist will advise which is best for you given several factors, such as how important appearance is to you. A tooth cap, also known as a dental crown, is a covering placed over a tooth and cemented into place. Materials used to make tooth caps include metal, resin, porcelain, or a combination of ceramic and metal. Continue reading →

The Disadvantages of Chewing Gum

Inconsiderate users will simply dispose of their chewing gums

Chewing gum has been around since the time of ancient Greece, where people made a chewable substance from the resin of the mastic tree. Chewing gum has evolved over time to where it is now sold in a variety of types and flavors. Adults and children alike enjoy chewing gum, but while chewing gum can have its advantages, such as freshening breath, it can also have its disadvantages. Being aware of the detrimental effects of gum can help consumers make healthful decisions when next purchasing and planning on chewing gum. Continue reading →