Enjoy Halloween Candy But Protect Teeth

Who doesn’t love Halloween candy?  The anticipation of what kind of candy you are going to get in your trick-or-treat bag awaits all little kids and some big kids too!  Children can still enjoy their Halloween candy and protect their teeth.  You can protect your children’s teeth by limiting the amount of candy they eat.   It is also important to not let the sugar stay in the mouth for a long amount of time.

After eating candy of any kind, your child should brush their teeth immediately.  They can help keep harmful bacteria from developing in their mouth by brushing their teeth as soon as possible after eating candy.  Also, if the candy is eaten quickly in one sitting it can lessen the amount of time it has contact with the teeth.

Other things that parents can do to protect their children’s teeth are:

• Examine their children’s candy for anything unacceptable and remove it before their children eat the candy.
• Remove any candy that is tacky or gummy because it can stick to teeth and cause tooth decay.
• Make sure your child always has good dental hygiene whether they eat candy during the day or night.
• Dentists can put sealants into children’s teeth grooves to protect the teeth against corrosion caused by too much sugar.  It might be a good idea to have sealants put on your children’s teeth before Halloween.

If you would like more information on preventing tooth decay call our office or visit our website.

Bruxism...Are you grinding your teeth?

 

Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of the teeth that often occurs while a person is sleeping.  There are many causes of bruxism.  Whatever the cause, it is important to treat bruxism early to prevent damage and restore harmony to your mouth.

The symptoms of bruxism include a sore tired jaw, difficulty in opening and closing your mouth, sensitive teeth, headaches or earaches, pain in your jaw joints.  It is also possible that you clench and grind your teeth, and yet notice no symptoms at all.

When you clench and grind the force on your teeth is many times greater than during normal chewing.  These forces can cause:  flattened or worn-down teeth, loss of tooth enamel near the gum line, fractured or loose teeth, damage to the jawbone or jaw joints.

Sometimes, missing teeth worn teeth, spaces between teeth, or teeth that are out of alignment may cause grinding and clenching also.  In this case, bridges, crowns, equilibration, orthodontic, or other dental treatments can often restore your bite and eliminate grinding and clenching.

A common and effective treatment for stopping the damage caused by bruxism is the use of of a nightguard.  This is a plastic device that fits over your top or bottom teeth and protects your teeth by absorbing the forces caused by grinding.  A custom nightguard, made from models of your teeth, usually offers the most effective and comfortable protection.

Preventing Gum Disease

The problem begins with bacteria.  Our mouths are packed with these tiny microbes.  They combine with mucus and particles to form a sticky, colorless film - called plaque - on our teeth.  Brushing and flossing can get rid of some plaque.  But many that remains can harden and form tartar, a yellowish deposit that can become rock-hard. 

Plaque and tartar buildup can lead to gum disease - technically known as periodontal disease.  The most common and mild type of gum disease is called gingivitis.  The gums become red and swollen, and they can bleed easily.  Daily brushing and flossing and regular cleanings by dental professionals can usually clear up gingivitis.

If gingivitis is not treated, it can become a more severe type of gum disease called periodontitis. Symptoms of periodontitus include bad breath that won't go away; gums that are red, swollen, tender or bleeding; painful chewing; and loose or sensitive teeth.  In periodontitus, the gums pull away from the teeth and form "pockets" that become infected.  If you have periodontitis, your dentist may recommend a deep-cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing.  In more severe cases, you may need surgery.

In recent years, gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems.  Researchers are studying possible connections between gum disease and:  Heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature births.  These alone are excellent reasons to good home care of your teeth and gums every day, along with regular professional cleanings and dental visits.



Got Bad Breath?

If bad breath is an issue with you or someone you love, you may want to consider looking into a fairly new product called BreathRx Mouthwash. In fact, the company that makes this rinse also provides other products to help with bad breath. Just what separates this company from the rest? The answer lies in their complete line of products. Consider their toothpaste, which offers the benefits of regular toothpaste, such as fluoride and tarter protection. However, this company offers one more thing that regular toothpaste makers do not. They have Zytex in their toothpaste. Zytex is a trade mark ingredient in their products. It delivers fresh breath protection like no other dental product around ever has.

Zytex is in their mouthwash, as well. With their mouthwash's dual fresh breath system, your breath stays fresh all day long. This is how it works: BreathRx mouthwash contains two secret weapons for ridding the mouth of unwanted, odor-causing bacteria. The first weapon is Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC). This compound is known for killing the bacteria that causes bad breath. It is primarily an antiseptic, and while it is used in a number of mouthwash products, it can also be found in over-the-counter medications. The second special ingredient is Zytex. Zytex neutralizes the remaining odors. When you rinse with this product, you can feel confident that your mouth is being cleaned thoroughly. You can see why they call this product "the dual fresh breath system." In addition, this product will clean your teeth and keep your mouth fresh, without the unnecessary additives such as alcohol and sugar.

BreathRx is dentist developed and recommended by registered dental hygienists, BreathRx with ZYTEX is clinically proven to deliver longer-lasting fresh breath than leading brands.  BreathRx fights bad breath by attacking it at the source, not just masking it with flavor.  By discovering BreathRx you've taken the first step to life-long fresh breath and improved oral health.  Ask your hygienist or dentist today about BreathRx!