dental health ebook

1 Secrets To A Great Smile / www.Dentallasvegas.net

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


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 Dentist…………………………………………4

Do You Know Which Dental Health Specialist Is For You……………………………………5

The Anatomy Of A Tooth…………………………………………………………………………………..6

Key Tooth Terms To Know…………………………………………………………………………………6

Things You May Not Know About Tooth Loss…………………………………………………….7

Helpful Hints For Your Child’s 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 Child’s Teeth:……………………………………………………………..14 & 15

Table of Contents


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 body’s 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 can’t help prevent decay and oral health

problems if you don’t 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% don’t floss at all

American Dental Association


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

1. Gum Disease (Periodontitis) red, sore, and swollen gums can be an early indicator

of Heart Disease or Stroke

2. Pale and sore gums could indicate that you are anemic

3. Severe tooth enamel erosion may indicate an eating disorder such as bulimia or a

gastric condition.

4. Sensitive and bright red gums that bleed easily could be sign of Leukemia.

5. If air blowing on your gums makes them bleed you may be pregnant

6. White spots on your gums that do not heal may be a sign of oral cancer

7. 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


Do You Know Which Dental Health Specialist Is For You

Type of Dental or Oral Health

Care Provider

Services They Provide

General Dentist 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 Dentist (Pedodontist) Pediatric dentists have specialized training in children’s dentistry and their

common conditions. They use equipment designed for children and

specialize in helping kids feel more comfortable at the dentist.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Perform surgery of the mouth, jaw, and face. Common procedures are

dental implants, correcting cleft palates, and repairing facial injuries like a

fractured jaw.

Periodontist Periodontists specialize in diseases of the gums and other tissues that

support your teeth.

Endodontist If you have ever had a root canal it’s 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 tooth’s

root.

Orthodontist 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

Cosmetic / Aesthetic Dentist From teeth whitening and tooth veneers to gingival sculpting, bridges, and

braces, the Cosmetic Dentist has the tools to deliver a great looking smile.

Dental Hygienist 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.


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.


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 person’s facial appearance.


Helpful Hints For Your Child’s 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 child’s 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 teen’s 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.

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.


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 child’s

mouth. This process begins within 20 minutes of drinking from a bottle. These acids are harmful

to the enamel on your child’s 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 baby’s teeth as soon as they are visible

Have a dental visit by your child’s first birthday and schedule regular visits as

suggested.


Tooth Restoration or Replacement Techniques

After a visit to the dentist you have learned that you have a cavity or possibly more extensive

tooth decay…what’s 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 tooth’s 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 don’t 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 &


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

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

The Beginning of Gum Disease

The bacteria that causes decay can

attack the gums and lead to the gum

disease Gingivitis

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


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.


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 can’t 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.


Self Test For Your Child’s 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 child’s

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 that’s 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 children’s toothpaste D) A and B


Self Test For Your Child’s 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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