Tag Archive for "fluoride"

Bottled Water and Tooth Decay in Children

It is not uncommon that parents show up at the dentist with their 6 or 7 year old, and the dentist finds as many as four cavities that need to be filled. This trend seems to be happening more and more and parents are stunned when they hear the news. Their kids don’t go crazy with sweets and they follow a strict oral health regimen every day. The col-pit…bottled water!

Government health officials and dentists raise the awareness that bottled water is the one that might be causing the tooth decay complications in children. Bottled water does not contain a sufficient amount of fluoride, which tap water does so it is actually not protecting the oral health of your child. In fact, it seems it is doing more harm than good.

For children to keep a great smile it is very important for them to brush their teeth at last twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, visit the dentist every six months for a fluoride treatment and drink water that is fluoridated.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that 42% of U.S. children between the ages of 2 and 11 were found with dental cavities in their baby teeth. To make sure your child isn’t part of this statistic make an appointment with your local Gentle Dental dentist by calling 1-888-513-7436.

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Tooth Friendly Food & Drinks

When grocery shopping for yourself and your family you probably look for two things: Healthy foods and discounted affordable foods. Well you may also want to take into consideration foods and drinks that are healthy for your teeth and overall oral health? Here are a few tips on tooth-friendly items that you may want to include in your basket or cart:

Dairy foods (milk, cheese and yogurt) don’t just help with bones and muscle growth. They also are great foods for your teeth. Dairy has lots of calcium in them, which helps develop strong healthy teeth. If you can’t eat dairy look for foods which have calcium added such as soy drinks.

Choose water as your main drink. Tap water is best because it contains fluoride which helps harden and repair the enamel surface of teeth. If you are a bottled water fan there are some brands that contain fluoride in their water as well. Just look for that on the label before purchasing. Rinsing out your mouth with water after you have had something to eat helps stop plaque building up too.

For obvious reasons if you and your family love sweets and snacks you will want to pick out the ones that are sugar and acid free. Sugar and acid cause plaque to build up on teeth, which can lead to tooth decay. Also look for sugar-free gum and mints/candy.

Picking out healthy foods for your teeth is sometimes overlooked and can be confusing. For more information on what foods and drinks are healthy for you and your families oral health call your local Gentle Dental office at 1-888-513-7436.

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The Facts About Mouthwash

Did you know that the first general mouthwash product was sold in 14? It has been saving breaths for a long time and is often bought and used to combat embarrassing bad breath (halitosis). But mouthwash is more than just a good mask for a lunchtime garlic & onion fest. Mouthwash contains active ingredients that are a great supplement to brushing your teeth and regular dental checkups.

Mouthwashes can be purchased in three basic varieties: antiseptic, fluoride rinse or combination. Antiseptic mouthwashes are formulated to help fight bacteria that cause bad breath. They are also used to treat dental diseases such as gingivitis, a disease of the gums. Fluoride rinses are intended to aid in prevention of tooth decay. Combination mouthwashes, as the name implies, are designed to minimize tooth decay and keep breath fresh.

Everyone knows the importance of brushing the teeth and periodic dental exams, but regular use of mouthwash can provide additional benefit for good oral hygiene. A daily rinse can get into the hard-to-reach areas that a toothbrush often misses. It can kill the odor-causing bacteria and prevent germs that lead to tooth decay.

To learn more about mouth rinse and to figure out which type is best for you and your family speak to your Gentle Dental dentist by calling 1-888-513-7436.

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Pediatric Dental Care

In order to prevent dental problems, a child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday. Early examination and preventive care will protect a child’s smile now and in the future.

Dental problems can begin early as baby bottles can lead to tooth decay. Once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth, chew food easily and smile with confidence.

Gentle Dental features 10 Pediatric Specialty offices throughout South Florida each with a professional staff of pediatric dental specialists, including orthodontists. Gentle Dental emphasizes strong dental education for children and teach healthy hygiene habits. Our pediatric dental specialists accept Florida Healthy Kids and Florida Medicaid in select Palm Beach offices. For new pediatric patients 14 years and younger, take advantage of the New Patient Special. This special for just $49 includes a comprehensive exam, x-rays, fluoride, a cleaning and more. A savings of over $400! Just print the coupon and present when making an appointment by calling 877-343-3253. But hurry this offer expires January 31st.

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Bottled Water, Fluoride & Your Teeth

A recent study shows that Americans consumed more than 5 billion gallons of water in year 2000. But, did you know that the the majority of bottled waters on the market and some types of home water treatment systems do not contain optimal levels of fluoride? This can potentially decrease the tooth decay-preventive effects of optimally fluoridated water.

Water fluoridation is a community health measure that is recognized widely for its role in preventing tooth decay. In areas where natural fluoride occurs in water below the optimal level, many communities add a tiny amount of fluoride to the water supply to make certain that residents receive the benefits of fluoride. When water is treated before it is bottled, fluoride may be lost in the reverse osmosis or distillation process.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s current regulations do not require bottled water companies to indicate fluoride content on its labels, unless it has been added to the water. Fluoride is very important, especially for children to help prevent tooth decay. Water should contain 0.7 to 1.2 ppm of fluoride.

Gentle Dental dentists can provide fluoride treatments to people that aren’t getting enough fluoride in their teeth, possibly because they are drinking water that doesn’t contain fluoride. Fluoride treatments help strengthen the outer layer of your teeth and fight cavities and tooth decay. To make a fluoride treatment appointment with your local Gentle Dental dentist call 1-888-513-7436.

Baby Teeth And Pediatric Dentistry

Primary or “Baby Teeth” usually start to appear when an infant is between 6 months and a year old. They are very important in the ability for a child to chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When teeth first come in for a child it is known as the teething cycle. Babies may experience sore or tender gums at this time and can cause them some pain. If you are a parent of a child that is teething, rubbing their gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad can be soothing and may help with the pain the teething is causing. Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three years old.

Keeping your child’s teeth healthy at an early age is extremely important for their long term oral health. A good recommendation after every feeding is to wipe the baby’s gums with a clean gauze pad. This removes plaque and food that can harm erupting teeth. As soon as primary teeth appear in the mouth, tooth decay can occur. Therefore, when your child’s teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a child’s size toothbrush and water. After the age of two you should brush your child’s teeth with a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Gentle Dental features 10 offices throughout South Florida that specialize in Pediatric Dentistry. Each of these offices are dedicated to create a positive, fun experience for a child that maybe extremely nervous when they come to the dentist. Gentle Dental Pediatric Dentists and staff also emphasize strong dental education for children and teach them healthy hygiene habits. To make an appointment for your child and to find out which locations feature pediatric dentistry call 877-343-3253 or visit our location page by clicking here.

The Facts About Dry Mouth

We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and to digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth. When we don’t produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. This is called dry mouth.

There are several reasons why people get dry mouth. First, it is a common side effect of many prescription and non-prescription medications including drugs prescribed to treat depression, anxiety and allergies. It is also a side effect of many diseases and infections including cystic fibrosis and diabetes. Dehydration, caused by vomiting or other loss of fluids and radiation treatment are also causes of dry mouth.

You may know if you have dry mouth if you are constantly thirsty, cracked lips and a dry feeling in your mouth. Besides causing the aggravating symptoms dry mouth also increases a person’s risk of gingivitis (gum disease), tooth decay, and mouth infections. Dry mouth can also make it difficult to wear dentures.

So how do you treat dry mouth? You may want to speak with your dentist or doctor about changing your medication. In addition, an oral rinse to restore mouth moisture may be prescribed. Other steps to improve saliva flow includes sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum, protecting your teeth by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, using a fluoride rinse, and visiting your Gentle Dental dentist regularly. Lastly you want to drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. If you have any questions and to make an appointment to discuss dry mouth with your Gentle Dental dentist call 1-888-513-7436.

Oral Care For Children

Did you know that tooth decay affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease? Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infection which can lead to many other everyday problems for kids including speaking and learning deficiencies.

The good news is that tooth decay and other oral diseases that can affect children are preventable. The combination of dental sealants and fluoride has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in school-age children. However, if your children are younger than 7, you should only give them a pea sized amount of toothpaste with fluoride on their tooth brush as too much fluoride can be toxic for a child’s health. Dental sealants is always another way to help protect children’s teeth from decay. Lastly, regular dental checkups and cleanings are a must for a child’s dental hygiene.

Gentle Dental knows dental care for your children can become expensive so we are here to help! For just $49, your child (14 and under) can see one of our pediatric specialists at one of our South Florida locations and get a full oral exam that includes a comprehensive examination, x-rays, oral hygiene instructions, a full cleaning and fluoride treatment. A savings of $407! This offer is for new patients only and you must present this coupon when making an appointment. Hurry this offer is only valid until November 30th, 2011 so make your appointment today by calling 1-888-513-7436.

Toothpaste Options

Toothpaste, also known as dentifrice, is available in paste, gel, and powder form. Despite the many types of toothpaste that exist, there are some ingredients common to most varieties. These include: abrasive agents, flavoring, humectants for moisture retention, thickeners and detergents.

The most important ingredient to look for when choosing toothpaste is fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. Its use has been instrumental in the dramatic drop in tooth decay and cavity occurrence that has taken place over the past 50 years. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and starches which remain on your teeth after eating. Fluoride helps protect your teeth from the acid that is released when this happens. It does this in two ways. First, fluoride makes your tooth enamel stronger and less likely to suffer acid damage. Second, it can reverse the early stages of acid damage by remineralizing areas that have started to decay.

Everyone has a layer of bacteria on their teeth called plaque. If plaque isn’t removed promptly with proper oral hygiene, it hardens into tartar. This hard-to-remove deposit can build up on your teeth and under your gums, ultimately leading to gum disease. Tarter Control Toothpaste helps deal with plaque. It also helps kill some of the bacteria in the mouth.

If your teeth get easily irritated from extremely hot and cold temperature food and drinks then you probably need a toothpaste that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth. These toothpastes usually contain potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. These chemical compounds, which can take up to four weeks to offer relief, reduce tooth sensitivity by blocking pathways through the teeth that attach to nerves.

If you are trying to get your teeth become pearly white, then a whitening toothpaste maybe your best option. These pastes do not typically contain bleaches. Instead, they contain abrasive particles or chemicals that effectively polish the teeth or bind to stains and help pull them off the tooth surface.

Picking out the right toothpaste for you and your family maybe very complicated and overwhelming when you are in the drug or grocery store toothpaste isle. If you need a recommendation to help you figure out which paste is right for you, call 1-888-513-7436 or visit your Gentle Dental Dentist. They can help point you in the right direction!

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Posts Tagged ‘fluoride’

Bottled Water and Tooth Decay in Children

Tooth Friendly Food & Drinks

The Facts About Mouthwash

Pediatric Dental Care

Bottled Water, Fluoride & Your Teeth

Baby Teeth And Pediatric Dentistry

The Facts About Dry Mouth

Oral Care For Children

Toothpaste Options

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