Island Coast Dentistry Blog

Different Types of Toothpaste – Which is Right for You?

December 8, 2016

Which is Right for You?

One of the most difficult things that you can figure out when it comes to taking care of your teeth is choosing the toothpaste to use. With so many different types of toothpaste available, how do you know which one you should get?
Do you get one that has additional fluoride or tartar control? Do the brands which brighten your teeth give them protection from tooth decay and gum disease?
Should you go to choose a brand that’s for sensitive teeth? Here are some tips that you can use for helping you find the right toothpaste.

The Basics

General toothpaste is available in powder, paste, and gel forms. No matter what type pf packaging the toothpaste has, there are some ingredients that you’ll find in every type of brand. These are ingredients such as:

Abrasive agents – So that your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, your toothpaste has to have scratchy agents like calcium carbonate or silicates. These provide abrasion so that you can remove food particles and bacteria. If the toothpaste didn’t have these agents, the toothpaste wouldn’t be able to clean your teeth as well.
Artificial Sweeteners – Since the ingredients like calcium carbonate and fluoride won’t taste good by themselves, the manufacturers of toothpaste put in artificial sweeteners so that the toothpaste tastes better. Even though most people think of toothpaste having a minty flavor, many brands have flavors like cinnamon, lemon-lime and bubblegum.
Anti-drying agent – This is what keeps your toothpaste from becoming dry inside the tube.
Thickening agent – This is what keeps toothpaste from running right off of your toothbrush. This is usually something like gum and molecules that are gooey and found inside seaweed.
Detergent – This is what kills the bacteria that is on your teeth. This is something like sodium lauryl sulfate. This helps cleans your teeth and causes the suds that you see when you are brushing your teeth.

Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride is toothpaste’s most important ingredient. This mineral occurs naturally and it is very important to help your teeth from decaying. Because fluoride first was added to the country’s water supply before becoming a common toothpaste ingredient, the cavity number that the US reported has dramatically dropped over the past 50 years.
Plaque, which is the sticky bacteria film which resides in your mouth, feeds upon the sugars you are consuming to produce the acids that eat away slowly at your tooth enamel. Your teeth get protection from fluoride from the plaque acids because fluoride strengthens the enamel in your teeth and helping remineralize the areas on your teeth which have started decaying. Any toothpaste brand you choose should have fluoride in it. If you have a lot of cavities, it’s a good idea to get one that has fluoride protection.

Tartar Control

The main reason that you are brushing your teeth is so that you can remove the food particles and plaque from them. When you don’t brush or you don’t brush the right way, you are leaving plaque upon your teeth and it starts hardening and becoming tartar.
When this starts accumulating along your gum line, it makes it a lot harder to clean your teeth, as well as making brushing much less effective. As time goes by this tarter is going to become so hard that it can only be removed by a dentist. That’s why it’s so important that you go to the dentist twice a year.
Toothpaste that’s advertised as tartar control contains some active ingredients which will help with preventing the plaque from becoming tartar. These are ingredients including compounds like zinc citrate and pyrophosphates and sometimes antibiotics like triclosan so that the bacteria in your mouth is killed. These kinds of toothpaste are best for people who don’t go to the dentist regularly or who have problems with gum disease.

Sensitive Teeth

If you have problems when you consume cold or hot drinks or food and you have sharp pains, chances are that you have problems with sensitive teeth. This happens when your gums are receding from your tooth base and expose the sensitive parts of your teeth. When cold or hot stimuli hit the tubules, it will cause pain.
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth contain ingredients like potassium nitrate and strontium chloride that block the pathways in tubules that travel to the nerve center of a tooth. While effective, these types of toothpaste generally take several weeks of use before they begin to offer relief. If you suffer from extreme tooth sensitivity, you may consider using this type of toothpaste, which is generally lighter and less abrasive than tartar control brands.

Whitening Toothpaste

One of the things that most people notice is when someone has a bright shiny smile. Since everybody wants to have this smile, a lot of brands have started offering toothpaste that whitens as well as cleans. These kinds of toothpaste usually have peroxide and some abrasive agents which work to remove stains and polish your teeth. Even though studies show that these additional agents in the whitening toothpaste won’t damage your tooth enamel, a lot of the brands also increase problems with sensitive teeth. So if you already have sensitive teeth, it’s a good idea to stay away from whitening toothpaste.

Conclusion

These are the types of toothpaste so that you can choose the one that is right for you. If you have any questions and you want to know more about the toothpaste, it’s a good idea to ask your dentist. Your dentist will be able to suggest the right type of toothpaste for you based on your dental history and the special types of problems that you have have.

Questions about Cosmetic Dentistry?

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.

10 Tips for Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist

November 16, 2016

Here’s what you should know

If you are less than happy with the way that your smile looks, one of the things that you’ll want to do is find a cosmetic dentist. Below are some things that you can look for when you are choosing the one that’s right for you.
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7 Reasons to Get a New Toothbrush

October 31, 2016

Learn more about tooth brushes

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.
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Why Food Tastes Weird After Brushing Your Teeth

September 26, 2016

Learn more about tooth paste

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.

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A Guide to Different Types of Mouthwash

September 14, 2016

Learn more about mouth rinses

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.

1. Fluoride mouthwashes

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.

2. Cosmetic mouthwashes

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.

3. Antiseptic mouthwashes

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.

4. Natural mouthwashes

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.

5. Magic mouthwashes

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.

Conclusion

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.

Questions about your Teeth?

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.

4 Facts About Oral Health Men Should Know

September 1, 2016

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…)

5 Compelling Reasons to Wear a Mouth Guard While Playing Sports

August 11, 2016

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.
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11 Everyday Habits That Damage Your Teeth

July 15, 2016

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.

1. Chewing Ice

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.

2. Not Wearing a Mouth Guard

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.

3. Bedtime Battles

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.

4. Tongue and Lip Piercings

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.

5. Grinding Your Teeth

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.

6. Brushing Too Forcefully / Frequently

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.

7. Thumb Sucking

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.

8. Using Your Teeth as a Tool

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.

9. Using Your Teeth to Hold Things

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.

10. Biting Your Nails

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.

11. Drinking Soda and Citrus Juices

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.

Conclusion

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.

Questions about your Teeth?

Do I Need to Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

June 27, 2016

Not everybody has them removed

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.

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How to Fix Gaps in Your Teeth

June 6, 2016

Common Methods for Fixing Gapped Teeth

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.

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