Image Source:dentalstaffingpartners.com
Licensed oral health professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases-both to protect teeth and gums, and also to protect patients’ total health are called dental hygienists. Before they are licensed to practice, they must graduate with accredited dental hygiene education programs in colleges and universities, and must take a written national board examination and a clinical examination.They may also work as educators, researchers, and administrators if not to treating patients directly.
There are specific regulations and range of services performed in each state. Dental hygienists may perform oral health care assessments that include the review of patients’ health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and evaluation of gum disease / health. To expose, process, and interpret dental radiographs (x-rays). They remove plaque and calculus (“tartar”) from above and below the gumline using dental instruments. Apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and sealants to the teeth. Administer local anesthetic and / or nitrous oxide analgesia. To properly educate patients on oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums. To counsel patients about plaque control and developing individualized at-home oral hygiene programs. They administer smoking cessation programs and counsel patients on the importance of good nutrition for maintaining optimal oral health.
Image Source:www.animated-teeth.com
Teeth which have been damaged by tooth decay can be returned to their useful self with sealants which can also prevent further decay, the hitch, early detection. Our teeth are the hardest bones in the human body but like all the other parts of the body care should be exercised for like machinery that works but isn’t maintained it can fail. Teeth are designed to last a lifetime but dietary changes and unhealthy eating habits have changed their longevity causing teeth loss and other maxillary problems that can affect your health and your confidence. The sealant works like an invisible plastic coating which is applied to the chewing surface of the tooth preventing the enamel itself from getting worn down. The teeth are first cleaned and then the sealant is applied and depending on the type used (some require lasers for curing and others don’t) they are a fast and easy treatment for your teeth that can extend their life enough top last your lifetime.
Wisdom teeth are third molars found at the back of your mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth, two on top, two on bottom. These are the last of your teeth to erupt through the gums and they normally emerge between ages 17 and 21.
At times, wisdom teeth aren’t able to come out normally and become trapped within your jaw. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems, from nuisance pain to serious dental disorders. They often must be surgically removed. Learning more about impacted wisdom teeth will help you decide when to treat them and how to avoid related complications.
Brushing your teeth is important to prevent tooth decay, and it is also for your overall hygiene as well. To brush your teeth properly, you need to have a soft bristle brush, and a tube of toothpaste. Simply squeeze a little bit of toothpaste with fluoride into your toothbrush. Hold your brush at a 45 degree angle and use short strokes back and forth while brushing the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth.
Make sure that you brush along the gum line, as this is where gum disease usually begins. Brush your tongue too to prevent bacteria build-up. However, do not brush too hard because you might damage your gums.
by: Christine Zafra
Eating is fun. Yes, this has been the mantra of the obese. However, binging as a hobby can pose a threat on one’s oral condition. A study from Sweden stated that obese individuals have higher cavity rates than those who have normal weights (obese have 60 percent more cavities in their compared to those whose weights are normal). The subjects of the study were teenagers, ages 1 to 15, and the researches used the BMI method to measure if the teens are overweight or not. They also found out that the teens who gorge on snacks or junk foods when they were still young, have a higher tendency to build plaques and cavities on and in between their teeth.
Photo taken from http://www.benettontalk.com
by: Christine Zafra
If your teeth are crooked, then your orthodontist or dentist might suggest that you get braces. However, recent studies show that having perfect, straight teeth can lead to certain oral problems in the future. Dentistry practitioners from the University of Washington in Seattle studied people who have had braces before. Dentists found out that they (past braces users) in fact have a higher chance of having receding gum lines. They also lost some part of the bones that support the teeth in gripping the gums. If these problems are not treated, doctors say that this can lead to gingivitis, or much worse, periodontitis.
Photo taken from http://www.theage.com.au
by: Christine Zafra
If you just had your dental extraction, do you feel like your lip is a little fatter than the usual? It feels awkward, right? Now, you don’t have to worry about it on your next extraction. There is a new drug that has been carefully designed to counteract the anesthesia that has been injected on you. Introducing OraVerse. The local anesthesia that has been injected to your gums or lip normally wears off about three hours. With OraVerse, the waiting time can actually be cut into half. 60 percent of those who were given a shot of OraVerse had the numb feeling subside an hour later and about 88 percent who decided not to get the shot had their “fat lips” for more than an hour.
OraVerse is a FDA approved drug.
Photo taken from http://www.medgadget.com
by: Christine Zafra
Bleeding gums while brushing teeth connote something serious. Either you brush your teeth to hard or you have gingivitis. This bleeding shouldn’t be taken lightly as it can actually develop into a more serious problem such as periodontitis. Periodontitis is a tooth and gum disease that is caused by the bacteria surrounding the tooth. The bacteria around the tooth loosen the grip of the teeth to the gums, making you toothless if untreated. This is a prevalent disease in America, affecting almost 30-50% of the American population. Brushing of teeth should be a daily (twice or thrice a day) ritual for everyone to avoid periodontitis.
Photo taken from http://www.mcdg.biz
by: Christine Zafra
If you have not been brushing your teeth regularly, you might have cavities in there lurking at the corners or backsides of your teeth. These cavities do cause pain (if not treated immediately) and bad breath. However, cavities are not the only source of bad breath as diet to takes a big role in your oral hygiene. Have you been skipping meals lately due to your hectic schedule? The stomach is producing acid to break down the food inside. If you haven’t eaten anything, chances are, the acid inside is bumping the walls of your stomach lining, making you secrete a foul acid smell through your mouth.
Photo taken from http://www.wordinfo.info
by: Christine Zafra
Dental insurance is a must. Yes, aside from the home, car, life, health and other known insurances, one must also avail of dental insurance. Not only does this help the person financially when it comes to dental costs but it can also motivate them to be orally hygienic for them not to lose their insurance (depends on the insurance company). However, how can this be a motivating factor if dental insurances have limits? The annual limit of a dental insurance is around $1000 more or less. An average American spends almost $7000 for his or her dental needs per annum. This limit has not changed since dental insurance’s conception (and that was about 40 years ago!).
Photo taken from http://www.cartoonstock.com