One of the things that you want to do is to make sure that you have a toothbrush that will effectively clean your teeth. But how do you know when you should change it?
Below are some reasons why it could be time to change your toothbrush.
(more…)
If you have ever tried eating or drinking something right after you brush your teeth, you know what it’s like. Everything tastes terrible!
That is why most people prefer to eat breakfast before they brush their teeth. But why is it that it tastes bad?
The truth is, there’s one ingredient that’s to blame for this. It’s called sodium laureth sulfate, and also goes by SLS, which stands for sodium lauryl sulfate and SLES, which is sodium lauryl ether sulfate.
This is what ruins the taste of your food or drink, based on the kind of toothpaste you’re using.
Did you ever wonder why your favorite foods taste so good? Well, you can thank your taste buds for letting you appreciate the saltiness of pretzels and the sweetness of ice cream.
Even though surfactants will make brushing teeth much easier, they’re doing a lot more than making that foam. Both SLS and SLES create a chemical change in a couple of ways.
First they cause problems with the taste buds which perceive the sweetness in foods and drinks. They also break up our tongue’s phospholipids. These are the fatty molecules that inhibit the bitterness receptors.
These inhibitors usually are what make bitter foods taste less bitter. But when they’ve been broken down, any bitter flavors are enhanced.
This is why anything you are eating and drinking after brushing isn’t as sweet and is a lot more bitter.
If you want to end these problems, you can look for toothpaste that is free of SLS and SLES. You aren’t going to get the foam that you are used to, but you also will have better tasting food and drinks.
If teeth issues are affecting your smile, the team at Island Coast Dentistry can help. Through a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Skupny can tailor a oral treatment plan that is most effective for you. A beautiful, healthy smile can be yours!
Contact us today to learn more, or schedule a consultation online.
There’s a variety of mouthwash types and they all have a different function. So we are going to look at the different types of mouthwashes so that you know which is the best one for your oral health.
These kinds of mouthwashes have sodium fluoride in them. This helps with strengthening your teeth and gives them additional protection regarding tooth decay. You also can get fluoride in tap water and toothpaste, and that is more than enough for what you need.
They don’t have the same kind of protection when compared with other kinds and they’re used more for hiding bad breath. They help with keeping teeth clean, but they won’t help against tooth decay.
These mouthwashes have chlorhexidine gluconate in them. This chemical helps with stopping bacterial growth and it’s good for people who have an infection in their mouth. People who have bad breath also will find them useful.
They also help with preventing plaque build-up but they should also be used with dental floss and a toothbrush. They shouldn’t be used too much, though, since using a lot of the chemical can make your teeth become discolored.
These are free from alcohol and fluoride and they will work the same as the other types of mouthwash. A lot of people find that they are very useful and that putting salt into some warm water is great after you have a tooth pulled. This type also is great when you have an injury or infection in your mouth.
Total or Complete Care Mouthwashes
These have antibacterial ingredients. These help with reducing plaque buildup and preventing gum disease.
These may sound like they’re exotic, but they are mouthwashes prescribed by doctors for treating conditions like ulcers in your mouth because of cancer treatment.
Based on this information, you should think about the type of mouthwash that is best for you. If you aren’t sure which one is best for you, you can always talk to your dentist and get some advice. They will look at your dental health and give you advice based on your specific needs and what will help you out the most.
If teeth issues are affecting your smile, the team at Island Coast Dentistry can help. Through a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Skupny can tailor a oral treatment plan that is most effective for you. A beautiful, healthy smile can be yours!
Contact us today to learn more, or schedule a consultation online.
Everyone knows how important it is to visit your dentist twice a year. But did you know that each gender has its own set of oral facts? Below we are going to look at the oral facts for men so that men know why it’s so important that they are visiting their dentist regularly. (more…)
A lot of people play sports (young and old) and think that they are doing something good for their body. They are, but they can be damaging a part of their body that they use every day – their teeth.
Below are five good reasons why wearing a mouth guard when playing sports is so important.
(more…)
Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things you may be doing that can damage your teeth and cause problems with talking, eating, smiling, and even sleeping.
Below are 11 habits that can cause damage to your teeth that you may be doing and that you may not even realize you are doing.
This is sugar-free and natural, but it’s anything but harmless. When you munch on frozen, hard cubes, it can crack or chip your teeth. If chewing ice irritates the tooth’s soft tissue that’s inside, you may have regular toothaches. Cold and hot foods often trigger sharp, quick pain jabs or even lingering toothaches. Instead of chewing ice, chew sugarless gum.
When you are playing a sport, whether its hockey, football, or any other type of contact sport, you should always wear something to guard your mouth. That molded plastic protects your upper teeth and if you don’t wear it, your teeth may be chipped or even be knocked out. You can buy one that automatically fits at a sporting goods store or you can have one made to your mouth by the dentist.
Tooth problems can start when you’re even young. When you give your baby a bottle of formula, milk, or juice at their bedtime, it can put their new teeth in danger of decaying. Your baby might get used to falling asleep while sucking on a bottle, which means that their teeth are bathed in sugar overnight. It’s better to not put a bottle in their crib.
Even though they are very trendy, tongue piercings aren’t good for your teeth. When you bite down on the metal, it can crack your teeth. The same can happen with lip piercings. When the metal’s rubbing up against your gums, it can cause damage to your gums that can mean you’ll lose your teeth. There is also a lot of bacteria in your mouth, so piercings can cause sores and infections. In addition, with tongue piercings you can accidentally pierce large blood vessels, which can lead to severe bleeding. It’s best to talk to your dentist before making a decision.
Grinding your teeth, known as bruxism, has the potential to wear down your teeth as time goes by. It’s often caused by sleeping habits and stress, which means it’s really hard for you to control. Don’t eat hard foods through the day, and this can reduce damage and pain the habit can cause. You can also wear a mouth guard during the night to stop yourself from grinding your teeth while you sleep.
Even when you are using the correct brush, it’s still possible to damage your teeth as well as irritate your gums by using it much too forcefully. If you brush your teeth gently, it will break up the plaque that is building up on your tooth surfaces.
It’s also possible to brush too much. It’s fine to brush two times per day – in the morning and at night. When you brush immediately after you eat, it can also be damaging. It can erode your tooth enamel, which has been weakened by the acidity that’s in what you eat and drink. It’s best to wait a half an hour before you brush.
A lot of children suck their thumbs or fingers after their teeth begin coming in, which is around 5-6 years old. This can cause permanent changes to their jaw and tooth structure. Thumb sucking can misalign their teeth. This can cause a lot of different issues, including breathing and chewing problems. So it’s a good idea if you wean the little one off sucking their thumb.
A lot of people use teeth as a tool for breaking off tags, ripping open bags of chips, or unscrewing bottle tops. But this can damage your teeth. They are made just for properly speaking, looking great, and chewing food. They’re not hooks or pliers. It can damage your dental work or cause cracking in your teeth.
There are some people who hold items using their teeth, like pencils, eyeglasses, or pens. They often do it while concentrating on a task that is especially difficult. But what they probably don’t realize is the amount of pressure that is being placed on the teeth as they’re biting down on something that isn’t food. Biting on something like a pen can make your teeth crack or shift, along with breaking dental work.
This makes your nails look horrible, which is true, but it can also damage your smile and teeth. It also can create bad oral hygiene. Those who bite their nails generally do it all the time. Biting nails regularly can misalign your teeth and cause the teeth to break or splinter your enamel.
If you always are drinking a soda, this can do a lot of damage to your teeth. Even though you are drinking diet, the acidity in the soda can corrode the enamel on your teeth. It’s even worse if you are sipping it slowly. The acidity can cause problems in your dental health like enamel loss and decay along your gums.
Another drink that can damage your teeth is citric juices, since there is quite a bit of acid in these juices. If you want to drink juices for health benefits, drink them quickly so the contact with your teeth is as short as possible.
These are the things that you should avoid doing if you want to keep your smile looking wonderful. Some of the things in here are okay, in moderation. But others should be avoided if at all possible. If you have any of these habits, now is the time to stop it so that you can retrain your brain not to do it.
If teeth issues are affecting your smile, the team at Island Coast Dentistry can help. Through a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Skupny can tailor a oral treatment plan that is most effective for you. A beautiful, healthy smile can be yours!
Contact us today to learn more, or schedule a consultation online.
A lot of people have heard of horror stories of having their wisdom teeth taken out. A lot of people have them removed, but is it really necessary?
The truth is that not everyone has their wisdom teeth out. In fact, unless you are having trouble, you may not need to have them taken out.
Below are some signs that you may need yours taken out and what to expect.
These are the lower and upper third molars found at the back of your mouth. They’re called this because they generally will come in between the ages of 17 and 21 – the time when someone is the age that they have “wisdom”.
If wisdom teeth are healthy and positioned correctly, they generally won’t cause problems. Some of the problems that might happen are the following:
If you are having trouble with your wisdom teeth, there are a few symptoms you might have:
A wisdom tooth is extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent problems that may come up in the future. Some of the problems that can occur when wisdom teeth come in are:
Most of the wisdom teeth problems affect people ages 15-25. People who’re older than age 30 usually don’t have problems that mean that they have to have the wisdom teeth taken out.
If they are causing problems, they should be removed. This is done by a professional oral surgeon or dentist.
Your gum will be opened up over the tooth if it’s needed and then the tooth will be removed. Sometimes they will cut the tooth into pieces so that it’s easier for it to be removed. Sometimes you’ll need stitches.
If there’s an infection, sometimes you’ll have to wait for that to be gone before the teeth or removed. Antibiotics are often prescribed to help with this.
While waiting for your teeth to be removed, you can do the following things to help with swelling and pain:
The recovery period can take several days and in some cases there may still be swelling and discomfort for a week or more.
Use ice packs, enjoy soft foods and keep your mouth clean with simple salt water. If you notice any unusual symptoms like pus discharge, severe pain or a fever, call your oral surgeon right away.
While complications such as an infection are rare, they are possible.
The only way to know if you need to have your wisdom teeth out is to go to your dentist. Consult with your dental professional and you’ll know whether or not your problems are caused by your wisdom teeth or some other problem.
If wisdom teeth issues are affecting your smile, the team at Island Coast Dentistry can help. Through a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Skupny can tailor a oral treatment plan that is most effective for you. A beautiful, healthy smile can be yours!
Contact us today to learn more, or schedule a consultation online.
If your teeth are not aligned or they are shifting, it can create gaps.
Having a gap in your teeth can be a problem and it can be embarrassing. But the good news is that there are things that you can do to help close that gap.
Below are two options for closing gaps in your teeth. One option quickly fixes the gap and the other takes a longer approach.
For tooth gaps that are large or when someone wants a fix that is quick, a good option is tooth bonding. A special resin that is tooth-colored is applied to your tooth and then hardened with a light.
This will bond the resin right to your tooth either to improve the tooth’s appearance or restore the tooth.
Quickly, just three or four hours, your teeth are normal again. This is a procedure that’s used when the tooth’s broken or chipped, although it’s becoming more common for closing gaps.
It’s one of the cheapest options, although you will probably have to pay for it yourself unless its due to medical repair.
Even though the material that dental bonding uses is fairly stain resistant, it’s not as good at resisting stains as the crown option. This material also doesn’t last long compared to other types of dental procedures and it can break and chip off of your tooth.
Retainers are used often after braces are taken off to keep your teeth aligned while your mouth is adjusting to not wearing braces. But they are also becoming more commonplace being used for aligning teeth right away. There are three retainer types.
This is the one that a lot of people think about when it comes to a retainer. It’s tongue shaped, thin and removable that’s molded for your mouth. It also has a wire which holds teeth in place. This kind of retainer’s meant more for keeping teeth aligned instead of adjusting them.
These retainers are trays and made from transparent, thin plastic which goes over your teeth so that they’re slowly moved into the right position. These are favored by kids since they can’t be seen.
Since they’re made of plastic, they’re easily damaged and they’re not good for people who have trouble with grinding their teeth. These also needs replacement as the teeth are fixed.
When you eat, they simply can be removed and you can naturally chew without crushing it.
These retainers are good especially for front teeth on the bottom. A wire’s bonded to the teeth’s tongue side so they’re kept in alignment. This can stay there for a few months or longer.
Fixed retainers may lead to tartar build-up or gingivitis due to the difficulty of flossing while wearing these retainers.
It is used for keeping the teeth in place instead of moving them. This retainer type is recommended sometimes when there’s a big risk that the teeth could go back to the way they were.
If you have a gap in your teeth, using one of the above methods can help you with looking and feeling better. They can fix it quickly or they can take longer, depending on which one you choose. Either way, both will help you close the gaps and give you a better smile.
If cosmetic issues are affecting your smile, the team at Island Coast Dentistry can help. Through a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Skupny can tailor a oral treatment plan that is most effective for you. A beautiful, healthy smile can be yours!
Contact us today to learn more, or schedule a consultation online.
Are your teeth are shifting?
When your teeth are no longer aligned and they are shifting, it can happen for a few reasons. It can happen because you are sleeping on one side, or it could be because you grind your teeth.
You may also discover that your teeth are shifting because your dental habits aren’t good. No matter what the cause is, teeth that are shifting can cause a lot of dental problems if you don’t treat it, since teeth that aren’t aligned properly can be harder to clean.
Having dental issues because of shifting teeth is not the only problem you may face. You may also find that you’re having problems with your self-esteem. You have to discover why your teeth aren’t aligned correctly so that you can get the right treatment.
Here is a list of the more common causes:
When someone grows older, the area between their teeth will naturally wear away. Since teeth on the bottom are thinner, meaning they’ll wear out quicker than the upper teeth, the shifting will slowly happen when the person is biting down.
These are two really bad habits that people have when it comes to their teeth. Either habit can force your bottom or top teeth to go out of alignment because of additional pressure that is placed on them. Many people do it while they’re sleeping, speeding up the process without being aware of it.
When you lose one of your teeth, it’s smart to fill in the area. Leaving your area like it is will likely cause your teeth around your gap to shift and try to fill the gap. What could happen is that if you have a missing bottom tooth, your teeth next to it will start shifting sideways. Your tooth that’s directly above the gap could also start growing downward.
This is true even if you were born with teeth that were straight. If you have genes that dictate that your teeth are going to shift when you get older, you may find you have the same problem. Ask relatives to find out whether they have had problems with their teeth shifting. If it’s a problem on one or the other side in the family, you may want to bring it up when you see your dentist.
Having cavities that were filled because of tooth decay may cause shifting in your teeth, particularly if the dentist used plastic filling. Of course, if you don’t get the cavity filled and your decay goes to your gums, you’ll still find that your teeth aren’t aligned since it’s going to eat at that bone which keeps teeth aligned correctly.
No matter the reason why teeth are shifting, having teeth that are misaligned isn’t a big concern. If you get a good dentist to take care of the problem, your teeth ought to remain straight. There are a lot of solutions that you can use for this problem as well. Retainers, cosmetic dentistry, and braces are just a few of the measures that a lot of people take for correcting their shifting teeth. Regularly visit your dentist so that the issues can be dealt with soon.
If cosmetic issues are affecting your smile, the team at Island Coast Dentistry can help. Through a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Skupny can tailor a oral treatment plan that is most effective for you. A beautiful, healthy smile can be yours!
Contact us today to learn more, or schedule a consultation online.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), a veneer is a “thin piece of porcelain used to re-create the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel.”
Cosmetic dentists can make custom veneers to the contour of your teeth and are bonded to the tooth’s original enamel during a series of in-office procedures.
Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of a root-canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Our SWFL patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers.
Dental veneers can fix problems including:
Veneers are a less intrusive option than crowns or braces. According to the British Dental Health Foundation, veneers can be used to close gaps or correct small misalignments. Patients also choose veneers as a cosmetic solution to enhance the brightness of their teeth and to straighten their smile, correcting issues like discoloration, fractures, or chips.
At Island Coast Dentistry we use e.max porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are preferable for correcting issues of shape or color and can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
The typical process takes one to two appointments. If the veneer is prefabricated it usually takes one appointment and if the laboratory is creating the veneer it takes two appointments.
Veneers should last for many years; but they can chip or break, just like your own teeth can. Your dental team will tell you how long each veneer should last. Small chips can be repaired, or a new veneer fitted if necessary.
Dr. Skupny has extensive experience with placing cosmetic veneers. We invite you to come to Island Coast Dentistry in the Collier County area to learn more about dental veneers and find out if porcelain veneers are right for you.
Call us today to schedule an appointment with Naples Porcelain Veneers dentist Dr. Skupny. We look forward to meeting you and providing comprehensive care and personalized service.
Tour our office. We are conveniently located on Castello Drive, just off of the Tamiami Trail (US 41) in Naples, FL.
Source: Wikipedia, Your Smile Becomes You, WebMD
