Month: June 2022

How Do Abfractions Affect Your Dental Health?

How Do Abfractions Affect Your Dental Health?

Have you ever heard of abfractions? Until my last check up at my dentist’s office, I didn’t know what an abfraction was. An abfraction is a notch in the tooth structure which is near the gum line or even under the gum line. It will usually be on the side near the cheek as opposed to the tongue side.

I also found out they can cause serious issues if they are not taken care of in a timely manner.

All causes of abfractions are not known but there are three theories of what causes them. The first one is that improper force on the teeth caused by a misaligned bite (the teeth not lining up properly) can cause an abfraction.

When your bite is off, even just slightly, one tooth may hit sooner than the rest. This will cause undue stress on the teeth involved, and they begin to flex. By having this stretching and contracting continuously, over time it causes the enamel to separate from the inner dentin layer of the tooth, which forms a notch at the gum line.

Some believe that using too much abrasive toothpaste eats into the enamel and causes problems. The abrasive ingredients in the toothpaste along with improper brushing (especially too aggressively) gouges out a V-shaped indentation in the enamel of the tooth.

And the last theory is the grinding and clenching mostly done at night. It places an enormous amount of extra stress on the teeth.

If your bite is slightly off, the dentist may smooth down areas so that when chewing takes place, all forces are evenly distributed among all of the teeth.

If grinding and clenching is the issue, the dentist may prescribe a night guard to absorb the stress and protect the teeth.

If brushing your teeth or using too much toothpaste is the problem, your dentist may recommend that you brush using only flouridated mouthwash and with only a soft toothbrush.

All of these problems affect your dental health. Once the abfraction is identified and addressed, the notch in the tooth can be restored by bonding a filling in place or the notch may have to be covered with gum tissue to help stop the sensitivity.

If you suspect any of these issues may be affecting your dental health, addressed early enough, your dentist may be able to restore the tooth to its original color and shape. Don’t delay!…

Why Lichen Planus Treatments Cost A Lot

Many people who happen to get afflicted with lichen planus often end up, in the long run, spending considerably huge fortunes on the condition’s treatment. Thus, you could expect treatment for lichen planus to be rather costly. It is a natural reaction for some people to wonder why these treatments cost a lot. Now, it becomes more a question of what makes the treatments so pricey that patients have no other alternative but to shell out that much amount of cash and resources. That is the question we will now attempting to get answered.

Now the first factor that tends to make treatment for lichen planus to be rather expensive is something to do with the fact that the condition can, in some cases, be quite hard to diagnose. Thus, many people may have to go to several physicians, before one of the physicians, in a flash of genius, figures out that the condition in question is actually lichen planus. Keep in mind that every single consultation made with every medical professional means you’re bound to pay something. In some other conditions, treatment is cheaper for the simple reason that patients have been able to make the correct diagnosis themselves. For lichen planus, however, that is easier said than done.

The second factor that tends to make treatment for lichen planus to be rather expensive is something to do with the fact that many people don’t believe the initial diagnosis. You can credit that to man’s natural response to be pessimistic. Thus, when people with lichen planus are told by their doctors that they are ‘just’ suffering from lichen planus,’ they tend to disbelieve that diagnosis. They convince themselves that they must be ‘suffering from something worse.’ Thus they go to other doctors, seeking a second, even third, opinions. Naturally, the more doctors they visit, the more costs they will incur in terms of consultation fees.

Of course, lichen planus is a tricky condition. It is hard to pinpoint an effective regime for its treatment at once. That is another reason why the costs tend to run up. Often, the trial and error approach has to be conducted by a doctor and the patient before they find a treatment that they both deem fully acceptable and very effective. In the meantime, the patient has to keep on spending money buying the drugs. By the time they have identified a treatment regimen that works and they could stick to, the expenses would have already run high. Thankfully, as the body of knowledge about this condition keeps on growing, the need for such trial therapies is going down.

Relief from the symptoms of lichen planus is something that can be found, and the patients can have a lot of assistance on that front. But if you want to rely entirely on conventional medicine to find a permanent cure for it, you may find yourself having a hard time. Patients who dare venture into the non-conventional (alternative) sphere of medicine may get lasting cures: so the situation is not so hopeless. In a nutshell, treatment for lichen planus may cost a lot of money, but it usually works – at least in terms of giving the patient relief for a considerable period of time.…

Should You Use Green Toothpaste?

Should You Use Green Toothpaste?

The reason more and more people are concerned about conventional toothpastes’ safety are the ingredients. We all enjoy the taste, flavor and texture of toothpastes. We all love their flashy ads and promises: who wouldn’t want perfect and instantly whiter smile? Most of them however have several questionable ingredients that raise consumer’s concern.

– Fluoride – which we’ve been told is good for us – is in fact a by-product of aluminum manufacturing. (Aluminum is suspected of causing – or contributing to – the development of Alzheimer’s disease.) Sodium fluoride and / or fluorosalicic acid – both of which are also common in drugstore toothpastes – were considered so poisonous in years past that they were used as a rat poison! Here is the scoop on fluoride: should a child digest a considerable amount of conventional toothpaste, you’ll be well-advised to contact poison control. Adults brushing with fluoride toothpaste regularly (and let’s face it, we don’t always rinse long enough!) are at risk of tooth and bone decay, impaired thyroid function and other health problems.

– Another questionable ingredient of toothpaste is Silica (a harsh abrasive) which may damage tooth enamel.

– Glycerin which makes for toothpaste’s nice texture and by some accounts, shiny teeth, sticks to the teeth’ surface and prevents re-enamelization.

– Hydrogen Peroxide used in whitening toothpastes whitens teeth, some whitening toothpastes do more: they also turn hair grey, regardless of the consumer’s age.

If you consider only these four ingredients and their impact on your teeth and overall health, brushing your teeth takes on a new meaning.

Of course, we need to brush our teeth and not only for the teeth’ sake but for overall good health. With that said, it may be a good idea to explore safer alternatives. There is a selection of green toothpastes to choose from. Their packaging may be less impressive, in some cases their texture or color maybe less appealing in comparison to their chemical-laden mainstream counterparts, but most of them are fluoride-free. Some contain gentler abrasives than Silica so you can brush your teeth without damaging their enamel. Having shiny teeth may be nice, but having healthy tooth enamel is more important which is why many alternative toothpastes are glycerin-free.

In other words, weigh the risk and benefits and make the smarter choice. The short term benefits of conventional toothpaste maybe more appealing; the long term safety of green toothpaste may not satisfy the need for instant gratification but ensures oral and overall health. And health is, after all, your most precious possession.…

Oral Outsourcing – The Future of Cheap Dental Care?

Its no secret that healthcare and dental cost have risen steadily in recent years in many countries. Even the cost of a basic dental check-up can leave those on lower incomes, or even many middle income earners reeling, or even skipping this monthly routine. Dental healthcare professionals may wince at this, but what can you do if you are afraid that the check-up-and its concomitant findings- may end up digging a deeper hole in your finances than you can afford? Many private individuals now see dental health tourism as a legitimate-and affordable-solution to the problem of expensive dental care. After all, if a yearly holiday is still possible on your budget, why not solve two problems and book your dental treatment at the same time? Medical insurance companies have also rumbled to this, with many now offering “International Treatment Plans’ on their policies. And you don’t need to travel too far afield to avail yourself of such ‘tooth tourism’: Mexican dental clinics actively target US patients, and Costa Rica is now on the policy plans of some leading insurance companies. Meanwhile, dental practices in Eastern Europe are wooing British patients with overtures of dental care and cosmetic treatments at a fraction of the price they would pay at home.
Practices located in Asia have also wised up to the current trend, thereby extending the global reach of this phenomenon as well as extending choice to consumers.
Despite fears of lower standards of care and hygiene in the clinics of developing countries, many more people are taking the ‘have teeth, will travel’ attitude, and many in the industry see it as the future, believing that, as with all consumer issues, those thinking about undertaking dental tourism should do adequate research and avail themselves of all the relevant facts-and risk factors before signing up.
When you compare prices for certain treatments, it seems little wonder that more and more people are packing their toothbrushes. Take, for instance, a big procedure such as implants. In England a private (there are fewer and fewer NHS dentists in the UK now) dentist will up to 2000 for the procedure, as well as a consultation fee. By contrast, the same procedure cost around 550 in Hungary and the consultation is free.
For dentists, therefore, reality bites all over the world and with the sharp incisors of commerce. Your competition may not be just across the street. They may be on the other side of the world. For those of you facing this problem in the US try searching online [] to see what options you have first before thinking that you can’t afford any case – a simple trip across the border to Mexico might help more than you imagine.…

Is Your Toothpaste the Cause of Your Bad Breath? – Bad Breath Toothpaste Information

Is Your Toothpaste the Cause of Your Bad Breath? – Bad Breath Toothpaste Information

Bad breath is a problem that many are fighting everyday. One way that almost everyone uses to try and fight it is toothpaste and tooth brushing. It may surprise you however to hear that your toothpaste may be the very cause of your problem. Bad breath toothpaste problems happen when the wrong combinations of chemicals compose the toothpaste.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria, and only masking it with minty smelling toothpaste won’t solve the actual problem. The cheeks, gum lines, and the tongue must always be cleaned and be kept as bacteria free as possible to avoid foul breath. This is a problem that toothpaste is supposed to help solve. However there are two types of compounds, commonly found in toothpastes, that can actually stimulate or encourage bacterial growth: fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate. Many toothpastes contain fluoride. This in itself is not surprising to hear. What you may be surprised about, though, is that fluoride use can be a cause of your,foul breath.

**Important Side Note – The safety of extensive flouride use has recently been brought into question. While flouride can cause bad breath – it may also cause more serious problems. It is beyond the scope of this article to cover these problems – but please look into the issue for yourself.**

A big question you might be asking yourself is – “Why does toothpaste contain fluoride when it it can cause bad breath?”

The answer is simple. Fluoride is the cheapest chemical effective in killing bacteria. And as we have already mentioned – bacteria is the cause of foul breath. So killing it should solve the problem right? Well, normally that is true. The problem comes with the fact that toothpaste made with flouride also has the effect of drying out the mouth. This is a problem because a dry mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria.

The other compound frequently used in bad breath toothpaste is sodium lauryl sulfate. It shares the same problem as flouride – using it dries out the mouth and can damage certain delicate tissues. If you want to avoid foul breath, avoid using toothpaste containing these chemicals. One of the best alternatives is using toothpaste containing natural ingredients. These toothpastes are not only safe, but effective too. With the use of natural ingredients – you can be sure that you are not harming your body, while also actually helping to eliminate foul breath.

The next time you purchase your toothpaste, take care to check the labels to see if it contains these harmful chemicals, and avoid those kinds of bad breath toothpaste.…

The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Teeth at Home

The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Teeth at Home

Brushing your teeth with soap is becoming a popular alternative to traditional toothpaste. Even before the dangers of fluoride had become well known people were brushing their teeth with soap just because of how well it cleaned them. Even the best brands of toothpaste leave enough plaque and tartar behind that your dentist will spend hours scrapping it off at every check up.

Years ago I made the switch to soap and I have been enjoying the benefits of soap ever since. Another one of the benefits of soap that I have discovered since is that it does not contain any of the residues that stick to your teeth such as glycerin found in most toothpaste. This residue prevents your teeth from re-mineralizing and regaining the lost calcium and minerals, sealing your teeth off from essential nutrients like a piece of lamented paper. For years toothpaste companies boasted about how this protective layer added to your teeth would last for hours while in reality it did more harm than good for your dental health.

There have been a lot of arguments on both sides of the issue, both pulling out scientific studies to prove their side right. In the end I would recommend brushing your teeth with soap if for no other reason than it is cheap and it makes my teeth feel clean and smooth, squeaky-clean even. Soap removes oil, plaque and even kills the germs in your mouth. The soap will also rinse out of your mouth much faster than any toothpaste. After just three or four vigorous rinses your mouth will be clean and soap free. No longer will you have to avoid eating or drinking anything for hours no matter how much your rinse your mouth to avoid that awful toothpaste after taste.

All you need to get started is a bar of a regular unscented bar soap, the fewer additives in the soap the better. I have tried several brands of soap and I would personally recommend Ivory soap but I have heard good things about Dove as well. What ever brand you choose, the bar of soap will last a very long time. For the best effect, I would suggest not using the same bar of soap for any other type of cleaning in order to avoid lingering flavors and germs. Rest assured that cleaning your teeth with soap does not mean you have to stand there like a kid with a cake of soap in your mouth; just wet the toothbrush and swipe it across the bar of soap a couple of times. That’s it! I urge you to try brushing your teeth with soap for yourself. The results should speak for themselves when in no time your mouth is squeaky-clean too.…

The 5 Principles Of Scott Pilates!

Introduction:

Moira Scott Merrithew was in fact the founder of scott pilates. Following badly injuring her neck, Merrithew set up a Pilates styled approach identifying it scott pilates.

You will find 5 fundamental principles overseeing the Pilates program that an experienced person may use to help students with their exercises. The concepts provide step-by-step training about the appropriate body positioning and also breathing techniques.

Breathing:

To allow smooth movements through the scott pilates workout routines, correct breathing is crucial. The breathing pattern that is stressed concentrates on complete, heavy breaths till the respiratory system is full before breathing out.

Being in tune with this kind of breathing, you should begin by lying flat on your back, whilst paying attention to your normal respiratory rate. Pay particular attention to where your breath begins and where it finishes.

Next sit down on a comfy seat, lean forwards and wrap your arms around the knees.

Breathe deeply and then move completely in so that you are making a “C” curve with your spine. Breathe out and get back to up-right position.

Placement Of The PELVIC:

Scott pilates concentrates on the stabilizing of the pelvis and the spine by protecting a neutral position.

This helps to keep your back in-line, for instance whenever lieing face up with your feet positioned on the floor, your hips ought to be set at an angle toward the position of your lower back on the ground.

If your legs are raised off the floor, keep up with the same position,

This position is called the “imprint position” and it needs to be kept through the majority of the workouts.

Placement Of The RIB Cage:

Your rib cage is equally as crucial as the pelvis, since it impacts the positioning of your spine. You need to focus on your rib cage resting lightly on the mat whilst face up using your pelvis in the correct position.

You mustn’t feel as though you’re forcing this position. Your ribs must feel secure and protected when breathing properly.

Steadiness Of Shoulders:

Several of the Pilates workouts take the form of sitting upright from a laying position.

So it is critical that the shoulders are positioned together with good shoulder placement,this results in healthy posture for the hips and abdominal muscles. Choosing a comfortable shoulder location implies not raising them too high, neither should they be pressed downwards; they need to not be drawn backwards nor hunched forwards.

Picture your shoulders to be broad and straight. Possessing this way of thinking will help you in quickly moving through the scott pilates workout routines.

Placement Of Neck And Head:

The positioning of your neck ought to be focused on length along with the natural curve of the spine.

This position shouldn’t be stretched or forced. Whenever possible, the neck ought to be kept straight and above the shoulder blades and the spine. Because of the regular shifting from laying to seated positions throughout Pilates, you need to lengthen y our neck in practice by nodding with out forcing the chin towards the chest.

This particular mode of practice will help you in focusing on your own stomach muscles instead of the neck or shoulders.…