HEALTHY LIVING TIPS

In years past, orthodontic treatments were used primarily for pre-teens and teenagers who had problems with their bite (called malocclusion). Today, orthodontic treatments including dental braces are used for teens and adults alike.

Orthodontics restore function and aesthetics for a healthy, eye-catching smile. Statistics reveal that 30 percent of all orthodontic patients in the United States are adults. But despite this increasing trend in adult orthodontics—it is most beneficial to begin orthodontic treatment as early as possible to ensure the most effective results.

The American Dental Association (ADA) advises that children undergo an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7.

But no matter what age you are, orthodontics can:

• Protect your bite

• Maximize your teeth’s effectiveness in performing their functions

• Create a well-aligned smile

• Make oral hygiene easier to maintain

Today’s orthodontic procedures involve the repositioning of your teeth and underlying roots. This also helps to provide better support for your tooth’s crown. Orthodontic treatment can also revitalize your facial appearance by reshaping your jaw, neck and lips—especially when combined with maxillofacial surgery (when necessary).

Aesthetic vs. restorative

Because malocclusion can interfere with eating and talking, it is generally deemed a restorative treatment, and may be covered by your insurance carrier. However, malocclusion may also prevent the development of a beautifully aligned smile—therefore it may also be considered an aesthetic issue and categorized as a cosmetic dental issue.

The orthodontic process

If you are a candidate for orthodontics, you will be referred by your general or family dentist to an orthodontist—who will evaluate your bite.

The orthodontist will:

• Review your dental records

• Perform a clinical assessment

• Take x-rays of your head and mouth

• Create an impression and make a model of your teeth

By analyzing the results of your evaluation, your orthodontists will come up with the best orthodontic treatment plan to meet your needs. He or she will review the treatment plan and estimate how many months for each phase of orthodontic treatment (the standard treatment phase is two years). After treatment, you will usually have to wear a retainer to prevent your teeth from shifting.

By: Patricia Woloch

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FREE AT HOME TEETH WHITENING

On December 7, 2007 I had my lower left wisdom tooth extracted while under general anesthesia. Certainly, one of the benefits of general anesthesia is that I have no memory of the actual extraction; but according to the orthodontist the procedure went well and they did not run into any complications.

Of course, this is not the end of the story! The post extraction process was an experience in and by itself. After being awaken from the anesthesia I was under observation for approximately one hour. My observation period was perhaps longer than the norm, because I was particularly nauseous after the anesthesia. The most difficult part of being under observation was trying to, as the orthodontist instructed, stay awake while sitting up for a set period of minutes. As soon as I was able to, I was moved into the recovery room, where I rested for 20 minutes. The Orthodontist gave me a specific list of foods to eat the first day, cold soups, Jell-o and milkshakes. As well as specific instructions regarding oral hygiene: i.e. to not brush or use mouthwash the first day.

There are some side effects of wisdom tooth extraction in general; and general anesthesia in particular. For me, the most intense side effect was the nausea, and at one point, the orthodontist gave me a shot to alleviate the nausea. The orthodontist gave me a specific list of foods that I could eat for the first day, primarily cold soups, milkshakes and Jell-o. I did not have much of an appetite for the first 24 hours, and primarily just drank juice. For me, the side effects from the anesthesia are similar to a 24 hour flu bug, nausea, grogginess and loss of appetite. You might have notice, that so far, I’ve made no mention of my tooth-the reason for the extraction in the first place. This is because my mouth felt fine. I had some bleeding for which the orthodontist gave me a gauze pad. I had no swelling, and even after the Novocain wore off, I only felt some slight discomfort. Even then, it was less painful than most tooth aches I’ve had. As the song goes, “What a Difference a Day Makes!” The next day, all the side effects, including the nausea were gone and my appetite was back. I was still tired; but other than that I was fine.

As part of the post extraction period, I also had to take medication: Amoxicillin to prevent infection, Motrin to prevent inflammation, and (if I needed it) Vicodin for pain. The Amoxicillin prescription was 3 times a day for 5 days; and the Motrin, 4 times a day for 2 days.

To sum up, the most intense side effects were in the first 24 hour period; and they were more related to the general anesthesia than the actual extraction.

By: David Siegel

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FREE AT HOME TEETH WHITENING

Like many kids, my son Eric has crooked teeth.  About a year ago we started along the orthodontics route and he got a Herbst appliance.  In case you’re not an orthodontist, a Herbst appliance is designed to do some preliminary moving and adjusting before “real braces”.  Unlike a retainer it is permanent which means it gets cemented in. 

The big day arrived and it was time to remove the appliance.  For the first time in over a year Eric had nothing but teeth in his mouth.  As Eric and I were driving home from the orthodontist’s office I asked him how his mouth felt.  He said that it felt great.  He went onto say that he was surprised it felt so good because he was so used to the appliance he had really forgotten it was there.  The Herbst not only didn’t bother him but he didn’t even notice it in his mouth anymore.  So if it wasn’t bothering him why should it feel so good without it?  Why should he suddenly feel so free?

Eric’s Herbst appliance was clutter.  It may not seem like clutter but it was.  Clutter is the stuff that gets in your way.  Clutter takes your time, your space, your energy.  Eric had to learn to eat, talk, brush his teeth and yawn with his clutter in his way..  He had gotten so used to it that he didn’t notice the clutter until it was gone.

 

You may be so used to the way things are around you that you don’t realize how much energy you are really expending on clutter.  You may think that because you don’t acknowledge or pay attention to something it’s not costing you anything but it is.  In fact, every minute of every day you work hard to ignore the clutter and put tremendous effort behind finding ways to work around it.  Clutter causes you to make choices that you otherwise may not have made.  Clutter causes things to get backed up and then the pressure increases even more.  Ultimately, what really gets backed up is your life. 

 

When the clutter around you is gone you are free to choose what you want to do and what you want to say no to.  In fact, this is the part that thrills me the most when I work with my clients.  It’s when the realization strikes that it’s really not about getting organized but it’s about what happens when you stop putting up with the clutter.  You uncover yourself and discover what you really want out of life.  

 

One of my clients recently told me that he went through a stack of old ideas and notes he had laying around.  The notes he found were valid but felt stale to him.  He had never acted on any of them.  However, he found one idea that had been buried for over a year.  It wasn’t old or stale; in fact it really excited him.  He consciously decided to let go of all of the other ideas.  He went to work on this one idea immediately.  By getting rid of the clutter he was free to focus his time and attention on one project and created a brand new program for his business.

 

Another client of mine told me that as she de-cluttered her craft closet.  She discarded old projects, project ideas and supplies.  She got rid of things that were still “good” but didn’t fit within her life anymore.  What she experienced wasn’t loss but a sense of openness and new possibilities. 

 

Here’s my challenge to you:

Look around your space, your office, your home, even your car…shut off your internal filters. What clutter do you see around you that you’ve been ignoring?  Think about the clutter around you.  What is the clutter keeping you from doing?  What “work-arounds” have you created for yourself? Pick one or two areas of clutter that you’ve been actively ignoring.  Think about what small steps you can take to reduce the clutter and experience relief and take the small steps.  

Eric doesn’t have a choice.  Eric is going to get his real braces in just a couple of weeks.  He will have to learn new ways to brush his teeth, talk and eat corn on the cob.  Yes, he’ll get used to them and before he knows it he won’t even feel them anymore, but I can promise you this, after his braces have done their work and the clutter in his mouth is gone he’ll reveal an even more incredible smile!

If you’re ready to stop putting up with your clutter and uncover what you really want to be doing go ahead and take my challenge.  You’ll be amazed at what you discover.



By: Carrie Greene

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FREE TRIAL TEETH WHITENING

Gingivitis is something we commonly hear especially when you talk about teeth concerns. Gingivitis is caused by the buildup around the teeth and gums of plaque, a gunky, bacteria-filled concoction of food and saliva. That is why it is important to consider the facts of brushing your teeth. You also have to floss and make sure that not objects build up in between your teeth.

Normally when you eat beef, chicken or any meat for that matter, some of the chewed particles may get caught in your teeth. You can try to brush them out but if you fail, they will surely build up bacteria and this where the problem will start. Floss regularly as well.

Toothbrushes are normal to dilapidate over time and normally we should know when to change them. They are not that expensive and their bristles are something we should look out for. They are not easy to identify but once you see that they barely brush anything due to their softness or jagged directions, you better buy a new one.

Care for your teeth daily is important. You really don’t have to look far to be able to do so. You just have to know when to change your oral tools when needed. They can really make a difference and are really for your own oral care.

If you think that a denture can solve your chewing problem, that is right. But you also have to consider the fact of your gums which may take in too much load. Apparently this stems from the fact that we were supposed to chew food on our own without any aid. But not thanks to some carelessness, we have to improvise to make sure our teeth doesn’t take the brunt of the pain.

Dentures have been designed to help us. However, while chewing problems have been addressed, gum load is another. Make sure your dentures help your teeth out but also your gums.

Once you notice that each time you brush your teeth that blood suddenly comes after you gargle, then perhaps your teeth or gums are bleeding. Now don’t be alarmed. Perhaps you have overlooked taking are of your gums.

Our mouth is exposed to a lot of varying factors. Among them include the problem of smoking, improper brushing and the food we eat. Munching all day can take its toll on us. Normally we have to support our mouth with various recourses and in this case, if we don’t, then we will have problems. Bleeding gums are serious. They have to be treated once they start.

When you get a toothache, chances are you will think of your brushing your teeth regularly from thereon. Apparently, pain in your mouth may not be the tooth itself. Perhaps it has gotten worst thanks to your continued disregard for having it looked by a dentist or ortho. While that is all water under the bridge, it is never too late to have it looked at. You may still save yourself a lot of pain and trouble.

For people who brush their teeth, there is still no guarantee that they will get the right care for their teeth and gums. The right way is to address each pain as similar as possible. That way you can avoid the complications.

By: Jon Caldwell

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TRY AT HOME TEETH WHITENING

Like any other kind of treatment, dental or orthodontic treatment needs to have well-experienced specialists who can serve and assist patients with their needs. There are 3 things that a person should consider if he or she wants a dentist who will be able to do the best job possible throughout the treatment:

 

First tip is that you should know what to look for a dentist – this should be done even before an emergency happens; there are different things that you have to consider when it comes to finding the best dentist, such as location, professional qualifications, personal comfort, cost and emergency care. It is very important to choose a dentist that will be located near your place or location. Through this, it will be easier to go to the clinic as well as to schedule a consistent visit with your orthodontist.

It is also important to consider the cost of the treatment; try to ask first if there are different types of payment that are accepted by the clinic – either plans, credit cards, etc. Insurance should also be considered so that you will be able to know if you can use the insurance that you have. It is also helpful if you will estimate the costs of regular procedures so that you will be able to have an idea if you can save money. 

Next will be about the relationship between the patient and the dentist – this is very important since you will be consulting with the orthodontist every now and then. It is very significant to have a comfortable relationship with your dentist so that it will be easy for you to ask questions regarding your treatments. It will not be hard for a patient to tell and express whatever that he/she feels about anything that concerns this orthodontic cure.

Professional qualifications are another factor to consider – you have to know the training as well as the guidance of this dentist’s clinic. It is noteworthy to ask different things first about the policies or guidelines when it comes to different aspects of orthodontic treatment – this is to ensure the patient’s safety.

When it comes to emergencies, one should always remember that a dentist must be easy to reach and accessible at any time. We never know when an urgent situation will will happen so it is best to have a contact number with the orthodontist.

Second tip, is about how to find a dentist through asking some people you know. It is very helpful if you will ask opinions from some family members or friends because they will be able to give you information about their dentists or someone they know. You can also ask your previous dentist or even a doctor since they may know someone that they can recommend to you. Calling some hospitals, insurance company (dental), dental association or even a dental school will also help you a lot. They have information about some reliable and well-qualified dentists in your area.

Third and last tip is taking dental schools into consideration – you will be able to search for highly-qualified dentists through the schools were they took up their trainings. These schools from different states can provide you an idea of who is the best in this practice.



By: Robert

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FREE AT HOME TEETH WHITENING

The technology in braces has improved tremendously in the recent years. One of the foremost contributors to this techniclogical advancement is the Damon braces system. Damon braces are undoubtedly one of the most amazing and new ways of straightening teeth. They are more comfortable and more importantly, need fewer tooth extractions.

Damon braces feature self-litigating braces which means that your orthodontist does not have to attach elastic or metal ties. These braces also feature high-tech wires which move teeth more easily, with fewer adjustments. They also feature passive brackets with low-force and low-friction mechanisms.

What makes Damon braces more special? The Damon system uses a self-litigating process without the need for o-rings. What you have instead is friction-less advanced memory wire able to move your teeth more comfortably and more quickly into position. The lighter wires with Damon braces usually reduce discomfort and provide less friction.

What benefits can you get out of Damon braces? As was mentioned, these braces eliminate the need for metal or elastic ties, so you can skip the discomfort of tightening. Perhaps the most important benefit provided by Damon system braces is there usually is no need to extract or use rapid palatal expanders. These two benefits, coupled with the light weight technology offered by Damon provides faster treatment, less discomfort, fewer appointments with your orthodontist, and consistently high quality results. With no elastic wires, these braces are easier to clean, and don’t \ attract or collect as much plaque as traditional braces.

Furthermore, with Damon braces, treatment time is usually about 6 months shorter than with conventional braces. This translates to fewer visits to your orthodontist and the beautiful smile you desire sooner than you expected. In fact, many patients have been surprised with just how quickly they see results.

Damon braces system not only offer you the straight teeth you have always wanted. But, your treatment time is usually shorter and far more comfortable than with conventional treatment. Damon smiles are full, natural 10-tooth smiles achieved with light biologically-sensible forces. With Damon braces, the straight teeth and beautiful smile that you have always dreamed off are both within reach.

By: Clint Jhonson

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SELF TEETH WHITENING

Parents might have to scrimp on summer vacation plans because they know that there will be a lot of expenses involved in their children going back to school. The parents might choose to reduce some of those expenses by getting their children’s medical checkups done right after school lets out.

When there are several children going back to school, the parents know that office visits will have to be scheduled to meet the family budget. Most of the children will need inoculations and certificates before they will be allowed in class. Some medical practices will allow group visits for families with lots of children because they give them discounts on the charges for an office visit.

Some children might need to see the dentist and the orthodontist too, because they have reached that time in life where braces must be placed on their teeth to ensure that they grow straight and correctly. Some of the insurance that the family has will pay for a yearly check-up at the dentist but many plans do not give very much toward a visit to an orthodontist.

These visits to the orthodontist must be spaced out throughout the summer because parents can not deal with such a surmountable amount of money at one time. They now that they must still have money left over for summer fun and activities that they have planned for the family throughout the summer. Parents are very conscious on how fast their kids grow and when most expenses will hit them the hardest.

Many of the public schools are converting their dress codes to allow students to wear the same clothing to school. Parents used to shop for school clothes throughout the summer finding bargains on shoes, shirts and pants at many places that they visit. The uniforms allow the parents to get firm figures on the expenses needed for each item in the uniform and to adjust the family budget to get the children in the proper uniform before school starts.

Many private schools charge a monthly tuition that parents must pay for even during the summer months. The parents are also faced with expenses such as miscellaneous fees, building fees, and the cost of books if they have children in the upper level classes. The expenses for books alone will cause some parents to want to take out a loan at the bank, and when these expenses are coupled with clothing expenses and uniforms it gets to the point that some parents simply want to weep.

The expenses involved in getting children ready to go back to school should never take away from the joy of seeing a child enter class for the first time. Many schools allow parents to take photographs with the teacher and make it such an enjoyable event that parents quickly forget the expenses that got the child to school. The child will look so cute in their school clothes and the little lunch box at their side, that the parent will have to ask permission to join the child for lunch every once in a while.



By: Jim Brown

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FREE TRIAL TEETH WHITENING

Your smile is important — it’s one of the first things people notice about you. But is your smile less than perfect? Do you have crooked or crowded teeth or an irregular bite pattern?  Or perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder.

Read on to learn how to choose an orthodontist. Here are 5 simple tips to get the top orthodontics treatment that fits your individual situation.

Orthodontic treatment is typically a long-term commitment — and a costly one. You’ll be spending a lot of time with your orthodontist, so it’s imperative you make the right choice in choosing a top quality orthodontist and avoid costly do-overs.

Tip #1: Your orthodontic treatment should be done by an orthodontist. Any dentist can apply braces, but an orthodontist has not only gone to dental school, he has also gone for at least another 2 years to acquire additional skills, training and clinical experience in the specialized field of orthodontics.

Tip #2: Verify your prospective orthodontist’s credentials. Is he licensed by the American Association of Orthodontists? AAO members are screened to make sure they are well qualified and must follow high ethical standards.

Tip #3:  Find out how long your potential orthodontist has been in practice. A well-established practice means a lot of successful outcomes and satisfied patients.

Tip #4:  Your orthodontist should be current on the latest options and techniques. Does he keep up with the current research and treatment techniques? There are both tried-and-true techniques and many new ones:  invisible or colored braces, as well as alternatives to braces, such as porcelain veneers.

Tip #5:  Check out your potential orthodontist’s office. The offices and exam rooms should be clean and organized. Is the equipment well maintained and up-to-date? Does he use new appliances for each patient or does he cut corners by recycling ones removed from previous patients?

Your general dentist might suggest a particular orthodontist he has worked with in the past. While his recommendation is a valuable one, you needn’t limit yourself to one choice. You should consult 2 or 3 potential orthodontists. Not only is this is an excellent way to get a second opinion, it gives you a chance to ask to see before-and-after photos of successful outcomes.

A top-notch online dental referral service can give you a list of orthodontists who practice in your local area. Make sure you choose one that pre-screens the professionals they list, so you can easily check their credentials, number of years in practice and educational backgrounds. Good referral services also have before-and-after photos of outcomes and testimonials from happy patients who have successfully completed their orthodontic treatments.

The typical orthodontic treatment requires a long-term commitment, so it’s important you know how to choose an orthodontist who is professional, well-qualified and who will meet your individual needs and give you the service you deserve. There are many factors to consider in how to choose an orthodontist. But if you keep in mind these 5 simple tips to get the top orthodontics treatment, you’ll have made an informed decision and have a successful outcome with your treatment.



By: Shervin Erfani

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FREE TEETH WHITENING

Everyone has been to the dentist at some time in there lives, especially when young, there is not such a fear factor when you are at a young age. But as you get older fear comes it to it, being afraid to go to the dentist is a very common phobia.

But is there any reason to be fearful?

When you do go to the dentist they will ask you what care you have taken of your teeth since your last visit (which in some cases may have been years.) They will then continue to check the health of your teeth, gums and mouth tissue. Dentists will use a probe and mirror to check the crown of every one of your teeth, they check these for either plaque, decay or general looseness. In relation to your gums they should be firm and pink, if they are soft, red and/or swollen it could be a sign of gum disease.

Also on top of this dentists will check the to see if you have any pockets (deep depressions) where the tooth meets the gum. If you have healthy teeth and gums and no sign of gum disease they should only be slight depressions rather than deep as mentioned above. When having a thorough check up the dentist will take x-rays of your mouth, this could flag up tooth decay or even abscesses.

After your teeth have been checked the dentist may recommend a professional clean. By having a professional clean they can remove tough plaque/bacteria build ups and will also polish your teeth which will get rid of unwanted stains (yellowness). Your dentist will run through this in more detail.

If the dentist finds a cavity you will need to return to have it filled at a later date, or if you have other issues you may be referred to an orthodontist.

It is recommended that you visit the dentist for a check up twice a year, if you do, it will only cost a small amount. Say if you do not look after your teeth at home and still do not visit the dentist regularly you could be looking at massive dentistry costs in years to come. How many people can afford unplanned dentistry works? Especially if you a struggling to pay bills at the moment.

Even if you have a healthy routine you still need these regular check ups, some people do not go to the dentist either because of fear or because they feel they do not need to, at the end of the day the dentist is the one who knows whats best for our teeth, what we think may be clean may actually not be.

Going back to the fear / phobia of dentists, or the dentist chair. If I sit back and think about the dentist I automatically think of them standing over you and drilling or pulling out a tooth. A few years ago, when I was neglecting my teeth, I had a tooth pulled out at a local dentist. I knew it was going to be done beforehand and was dreading it, to make it worse it was a cold night and when I came out my tooth absolutely killed (so to speak) I said I would never go again. But when you think logically, if you look after your teeth with regular brushing, flossing and not eating too many sugary items then you should never need to have a tooth pulled out or major work done. Going to the dentist for a check up does not involve any pain, so in fact there is now no fear factor.

Now I make sure I look after my teeth at home, while still having the twice yearly check ups, so I can hopefully avoid expensive dentistry work in the future. So is it the dentist we need to fear or ourselves for not looking after our teeth?

For additional information on looking after your teeth and gums visit http://lookingafteryourteeth.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading

Samuel James

 

By: Samuel James

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FREE AT HOME TEETH WHITENING