Once you are comfortably seated in the dentist's chair and wearing a bib, the dental hygienist places a curved ultrasonic device into your mouth. This device sprays a fine mist of cool water to keep your mouth moist and the curved end of the...
The American Dental Hygienist's Association says that teeth are formed by mineralization that begins in the fourth month of pregnancy. After birth, diet and nutrition affect permanent tooth enamel development and strength. Tooth enamel is made up...
More than half of all adults over the age of 30 suffer from gum recession, according to the Ontario Dental Hygienist Association. Gum recession -- commonly known as periodontal disease -- is a serious health problem that increases the risk of...
Teeth are living parts of our bodies. They have their own sets of nerves and their own blood supply. The outside of the tooth is called the enamel. Under the enamel is a substance called dentin. Pores in the dentin "communicate" with the nerves in...
It is important for children to learn proper dental hygiene so they can avoid cavities and keep their permanent teeth for a lifetime. Pique your child's interest with some fun dental facts that might encourage her to pursue good dental habits.
Dentists maintain their patients' oral health, with a focus on ailments and diseases of the mouth, teeth and gums. Many dentists have a general practice, and others specialize in fields such as oral surgery or orthodontics.
Tooth enamel is the harder outer portion of your teeth that protects your teeth from decay. According to Crest Pro Health, tooth enamel is the strongest mineral substance in your body -- even stronger than your bones. Without proper dental care...
A dental cleaning should be scheduled every 6 months. While daily brushing and flossing are essential to maintaining oral health and preventing gum disease, it is very difficult to completely remove all plaque and bacteria deposits from the teeth...
When gum tissue is healthy, a shallow groove that is no deeper than 3 millimeters should be between the teeth and gums, according to the American Dental Association, known as the ADA. Periodontal disease can cause the gum to develop a pocket that...
Periodontal disease afflicts more than half of adults over the age of 30, the Ontario Dental Hygienist Association notes. Periodontal disease is a serious medical condition that increases the risk of poor nutrient intake, chronic oral pain and...
Receding gums are a long-term complication of periodontal disease -- inflammation of the gums. Periodontal disease can induce significant oral pain, bleeding gums and loss of adult teeth. Also, the American Dental Hygienist Association reports...
Flossing is a must for proper oral hygiene. Brushing alone cleans only about three-quarters of your teeth's surfaces, according to Dr. Dan Peterson, a dentist in Gering, Nebraska. So when you start flossing, you may be dismayed to find it can...
Dental plaque is a combination of food debris and bacteria that forms on the teeth immediately after eating. The process of plaque formation cannot be stopped, but if it is removed daily you can prevent the formation of calculus, a hard deposit of...
If you suffer from poor overall health, abdominal bloating or chronic constipation, you may want to learn more about bodily detoxification with colonics to determine if one would enhance your overall health. Although numerous natural health...
Cleansing typically refers to an alternative health practice that uses water, herbs or enzymes to get rid of toxins in the colon and other parts of your digestive system. According to the American Cancer Society, there is no scientific evidence...
Are you nervous about your next visit to the dentist? It should alleviate your anxiety a bit if you know about a few common dental tools and why they are used.
As part of your standard healthcare program, regular visits to a dental professional are necessary; however, it can be difficult finding a dentist that both fits your needs and with whom you feel comfortable. If you do not have a dentist, or if...
Periodontal disease -- also called gum disease -- is a common oral health problem that affects approximately three in four adults living in the United States, according to statistics from the Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association website. Nutrition...
Approximately eight in every 10 adults in the United States has some form of gum disease -- also known as periodontal disease -- according to statistics from the American Dental Hygienist Association. Gum disease is a serious oral health problem...
Swollen gums are a common symptom of gum disease, a serious medical problem that afflicts approximately 80 percent of United States adults, according to the American Dental Hygienist Association. In addition to causing mouth pain and premature...
Oral surgery is generally performed by qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Occasionally dentists and orthodontists perform some forms of oral surgery. An oral surgeon is a specialty surgeon of dentistry. They work at diagnosing, treating...
Gingivitis occurs when your gum's tissues become inflamed. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, irritated and tender gums, receding gums, gums that bleed when you brush or floss them, and halitosis or bad breath. The exact cause varies,...
Poor gum health is a leading cause of premature tooth loss and mouth pain. According to the American Dental Hygienist Association, healthy gums can promote health in the rest of your body. You can achieve healthy gums by visiting your dentist...
"Looking a little long in the tooth" used to be a saying to politely describe an older person. This was because receding gums--a sign of advanced periodontal disease--were very common. They phrase may have fallen out of favor, but peridontal...
There are two stages of gum disease, early or gingivitis, and advanced or periodontitis. In the early stage, the gums are red, swollen and bleed easily when brushed or flossed. In the advanced stage, there can be loose teeth, pus from the gums,...
Orthodontic braces are brackets attached to your teeth with nonpermanent cement. Though the brackets are cemented onto teeth, they can loosen with excessive force. Wires and bands are connected to the brackets and used to move teeth into place....
Many individuals suffer from some form of gum disease that can affect teeth and over-all oral health, according to the National Institutes of Health. There is no specialized diet for individuals with gum disease. However, certain nutrients in...
Isometric exercises --- those in which your muscles contract without lengthening or shortening --- can be used even in your face, helping to strengthen the muscles used to make facial expressions, help you eat, and help you speak. And while your...
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a major cause of tooth loss. It may also be a factor in other conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature births, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...
