Plaque is the sticky, colorless bacteria that is constantly forming on your teeth.  The bacteria feeds on sugars that it receives from food and forms acids that slowly eats away at tooth enamel and can cause cavities.  Once plaque builds up enough, it combines with the minerals in your saliva to calcify into a rough deposit called tartar.  Tarter cannot be removed by normal brushing, instead a dentist must remove it once it has formed.  To prevent plaque, you must undergo regular preventative care that involves daily brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist.  Continue reading for more information on how to prevent plaque buildup on teeth.

Preventing plaque

More specifically, preventing plaque is not a one-day process.  Rather, it is an ongoing task in which diligence and discipline is a must.  The first step to preventing plaque buildup on teeth is to brush your teeth regularly, meaning at least twice a day.  Brush over every tooth multiple times and don’t forget to brush the harder to reach areas as well.  To get the hard-to-reach foods stuck between the teeth, floss after each meal or snack to loosen food particles and reduce the chances of plaque building up in your mouth.  A dental pick can also help with this.  More than just your teeth need to be cleaned.  Clean your entire mouth including your tongue using a tongue scraper or even the back of your toothbrush to ensure no plaque builds up on your tongue.  This plaque can contribute to mouth conditions such as gingivitis if not removed, so be thorough.

Another extremely important step to preventing plaque buildup on teeth is to ensure you eat a healthy diet.  Foods like fruits and vegetables and sticking to drinks like water can be great for your overall health and can help to wash away plaque.  If you can, avoid sweets such as candies and other sugary things as these allow plaque to thrive, as they weaken tooth enamel.

Finally, get regular dental checkups (at least twice a year) to get your teeth examined and cleaned.  Your dentist can help give you tips and products to reduce plaque.  If you are looking for a reliable dentist, consider using TalkLocal to find a top-quality dentist in your area.  This free service will connect you to up to three highly rated dentists within minutes who are willing to help.

Teeth whitening can cost different prices depending on the procedure and quality of the teething whitening. Depending on the dentist, you will receive different quotes. There are some do-it-yourself methods in addition to professional services. So how much does teeth whitening cost?  The price can range from anywhere from 20 dollars to more than a thousand dollars.

Top of the Line Teeth Whitening

The most expensive method is the in-office whitening method. An appointment in the dentist’s office will usually last between 30-60 minutes and cost anywhere from $400-$1000. Using this method, you can whiten your teeth up to 10 shades. You will need to have another follow up visit in addition to receiving a take home kit.

Best Value for Your Money

This category provides the same “up to 10-shades” effect as the above category. The only difference is that after the initial visit, you receive a take home kit and do the treatment yourself. It is simple to do but the only thing is that you need to make sure to follow the regular schedule.

Over-the-Counter Options

There are dozens of options when it comes to over-the-counter whitening. Typically these kits and strips are under 100 dollars. While you will not receive direct guidance from your dentist, you will still have the comfort of knowing that brand name companies are producing these products.

Supplementary Options

In addition to the longer lasting options, whitening toothpaste is also a great option. Toothpaste is great for general upkeep and changing the shade of your teeth slightly. This option will not make a drastic difference in your tooth color, but it will save you a lot of money while giving you whiter teeth.

There are various factors to consider when choosing the appropriate whitening method. If you would like advice or would like to contact a local dentist, check out TalkLocal. You will be directed, for free, to a high quality professional who can help you right in your neighborhood!

Maintaining a healthy mouth is an important hygienic task, and even with daily brushing, flossing and mouthwash, you may still find that you experience uncomforting pain from receding gums.  There are solutions to this problem, however, including specialty toothpastes.  Continue reading for more information of the best toothpaste for receding gums.

One tip is to brush gently.  While you may think that vigorous brushing is appropriate to really get in those crevices to remove germs and food remnants, your teeth are surprisingly fragile.  Hard brushing can alsoirritate your gums, making them raw and sore.

Once you’ve began brushing more gently, make sure you find the right toothpaste.  If you have sensitive teeth and gums, Sensodyne may be a big help.  It is less harsh than the more common, minty toothpastes and can help retain the health of your receding gums.

Or, it may be a good idea to meet with your dentist, who can prescribe you a specific fluoride gel for your gums.  This is usually the most effective choice.

Need a dentist?  Use TalkLocal to locate one near you.  TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality, reliable dentists within minutes.  Simply enter in your specific symptoms, location and availability, and TalkLocal will contact multiple professionals in your area who will then call you directly, ready to help.  Save time searching through directories and phonebooks for the right, most affordable dentist, and let TalkLocal do it for you.

Dental care and hygiene become even more important for a child who is getting braces.  All of the orthodontic bands, brackets, and wires can get in the way and make it very difficult to keep your teeth clean.  They can also cause a lot of irritation which leads to sore inflamed gums and decaying enamel.  One of the best ways to combat this additional strain that braces cause is to use an electric toothbrush.  There are a lot of different kinds, so check out these tips on how to choose the best electronic toothbrush for kids with braces.

Two brands are commonly touted as the best electric toothbrushes at their individual price points.  Oral-B brushes are a great value brand, while Phillips Sonicare are a more high end option.  Both brands offer a variety of different brushes, with many aesthetic choices like color, weight, size, and shape that will depend on individual preference.  The most important thing to keep in mind is the brush heads and the stiffness of their bristles.  Metal braces will wear bristles out very quickly so you will need to stock up on replacement heads.  You should buy soft or medium stiffness bristle bush heads to avoid excess irritation on the gums and teeth.

You should expect to pay around $30 for the cheaper OralB electric brushes, and anywhere from $80-$140 for different Phillips Sonicare brushes.  Remember that you will also need to purchase replacement heads separately.  You may also want to look into getting a dental floss pick, which can be useful for getting tough bits of food that are stuck in between metal brackets.  Be sure to consult with your child’s dentist and orthodontist before buying any dental equipment.  They may have suggestions to tailor to your individual needs.  If you do not have a dentist/orthodontist in your area, you should try using Seva Call to match you up with one.  Seva Call does all the work for you and automatically connects you with a quality local professional in just minutes.

If you are noticing that your gums are bleeding or swollen, you may have gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease.  If left untreated, your gingivitis could lead to periodontitis, a most severe form of gum disease.  This can cause recession, tooth sensitivity, root decay, and even tooth loss.  The most effective way to treat your gingivitis is to brush and floss regularly.  Read on for more information on the best type of toothbrush for gingivitis.

Electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual toothbrushes in fighting gingivitis.  An electric toothbrush will also allow you to brush an increased amount in the same amount of time as when you brush with a manual toothbrush, and they can rotate at a faster speed.

However, if you have particularly sensitive teeth, you may not want to purchase an electric toothbrush as the high speed rotation may be uncomfortable for you.  An electric toothbrush also costs more than a manual toothbrush and you will need to replace the toothbrush head as often as you would replace a manual toothbrush.

Additionally, regardless of whether you choose a manual or electric toothbrush, make sure to keep the hardness of the bristles of toothbrush in mind.  If you brush particularly vigorously, medium or hard bristles may damage your gums by destroying the protective enamel layer.  A toothbrush with soft bristles and rounded tips will be just as effective in removing stains and plaque, but will better for you gums.

For more information about what kind of toothbrush would be best for you specifically, you should ask your dentist.  If you do not have a dentist, use TalkLocal to find one.  In minutes you will receive phones calls from up to three high quality dentists in your area who are available to make an appointment with you whenever you are free.

There are many different types of braces for adults.  Choosing the right type for you can be difficult, but once you’ve figured it out, you will surely be pleased with the results.  Read on for more information on the various different types of braces that orthodontists offer for adult patients.

Ceramic Braces

–  Appearance: Ceramic braces are made of composite materials.  Due to the way they are produced, they blend in with the natural color of your teeth.  Many adults prefer this type of braces due to their natural appearance.

–  Pros: Natural color, less gum irritation

–  Cons: Susceptible to staining.  If you are a smoker or frequent coffee drinker, ceramic braces are not for you.

–  Pricing: Ceramic braces are generally more expensive compared to their counterpart, metal braces.

Metal Braces

Metal braces have been the most popular type of braces for quite some time.

–  Appearance: Metal braces are composed of a metal bracket on each individual tooth along with a wire connecting them all.  Each brace also has a rubber band (of your choice color) holding the wire to the bracket.

–  Pros: Metal braces are durable and can withstand for quite some time.  In addition, they are some the best way to achieve a straight smile and properly aligned teeth.

– Cons: Visible metal when smiling is one of the downsides to metal braces.  In addition, the time it takes to acclimate your gums can be painful.

–  Pricing: Metal braces are expensive, but they are lower on the pricing scale compared to tooth-colored braces.

Invisalign 

–  Appearance: Invisalign is a more popular option for adults because of its seemingly invisible appearance.

–  Pros: Barely visible, removable and more comfortable than other options.

–  Cons: The patient needs to be refitted for a new set every month or so.

–  Pricing: Invisalign is more expensive due to the frequent refitting and appeal.

Still have more questions and not exactly sure which type of braces will best suit you and your teeth?  Use TalkLocal to find a dentist/orthodontist to help you make the right decision.