The post 5 Tips for Finding a Trustworthy Dental/Dentist in Your Area appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

The post Finding the Best Dentists in Toronto – Comprehensive Guide appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Dental veneer types:

Generally, dental veneers are made of porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain veneers are more resistant to stains than resin veneers. They also better imitate the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth.  

What kind of issues are solved by dental veneers?

Veneers are regularly used to treat the following issues:

• Teeth that are discolored due to food, drink, or smoke staining
• Treatment of root canal
• Tooth stains caused by tetracycline or fluorosis
• Large filling of resins
• Teeth that have been worn down
• Teeth that have been chipped or lost

The cost of dental veneers

Insurers do not cover veneers since they are considered a cosmetic procedure. According to the Consumer Dentistry Guide, conventional veneers can cost an average of $925 to $2,500 per tooth, and they can last about 10 to 15 years. No-prep veneers cost between $800 and $2000 per tooth and last between 5 and 7 years. Traditional veneers are typically the most cost-effective option for the long term. However, your veneers’ cost will depend on factors like what type of veneers you want, what brand of veneers your dentist carries, the cost of living in your city, and the dentist’s expertise. 

Ultimately, it varies by type of veneer:

Composite veneers: Often known as direct veneers, these coatings are applied to the teeth during a single dental appointment and cost around $250 per tooth. They typically last from 5 to 7 years and then need to be replaced.

Porcelain veneers: Often known as indirect veneers, these coatings are custom-made to match your teeth, so they require two dental appointments for the procedure: One to match your teeth to the veneers, and another to position them. Porcelain veneers cost more than composite veneers, usually at least $1,000 per tooth, but last for at least 10 to 15 years and often even longer.

These veneers are more resistant and natural-looking than composite veneers. However, composite veneers are thinner, so fewer dental surfaces need to be removed before they are applied.  

Benefits of dental veneers

Veneers offer the following advantages:

• Offers a natural appearance to the tooth
• The gums handle porcelain well
• Porcelain veneers are immune to staining
• You may pick a shade to make dark teeth whiter
• They usually don’t need to be formed as much as crowns do, but they are more robust and look better

How are veneers applied on the teeth?

Based on records, it usually takes between one and two weeks after your dentist makes a mold to get your veneers back out of the lab. When your veneers are in, you should make an appointment to have them installed. At this visit, your dentist will check the fit, shape, and color of the veneers to make sure they are right for you.

First, the dentist brushes the teeth thoroughly. After doing this, they use a grinding tool to create a rougher texture for each tooth on which the veneer is to be applied. This makes it easier for the veneer to adhere to the tooth. Your dentist will then use dental cement to attach the veneer to the tooth. Finally, ultraviolet light is used to harden the cement quickly.

Veneer Process – What to Expect

Dental veneer treatment can be performed in two visits over six weeks. The visits are extensive and can entail several hours of review and dental planning. Dental offices usually have facilities that include sedation and audio / visual entertainment, and dental spas also provide massages and other treatments to help you relax and remain comfortable during your visit.

The evaluation and assessment phase of care is necessary to recognize any oral health issues that need to be addressed before the veneer placement. Your dentist will also work with you to pick the right color for your teeth from a unique hue map. Imaging technologies will provide you with a snapshot of your expected outcome and allow you to view successful before and after images from other cases. Treatment starts when the assessment is finished and a personalized plan has been designed.

Step by Step Procedure

There are a few phases to the veneer process. The dentist is likely to give you a local anaesthetic so you’ll be comfortable during the process of your veneer placement. Your natural tooth is then prepared by minimally reshaping it with a small handheld rotary cutting device called a bur to get the best match. If your treatment requires direct composite veneers, your dentist can apply a correctly shaded composite to your teeth, form the material, and harden it with a high-intensity light.

Additional layers of composite can be used to make the veneer the correct form and length of your smile. When all the composites are mounted, the veneers will be finished and polished using burs and polishers to produce a vital, natural smile.

If your treatment involves porcelain veneers, the dentist will make an impression of your teeth from which the mouth is molded. This impression can be sent to an outside dental laboratory where the veneers are professionally produced.

However, some dentists have an in-house dental laboratory and technicians to provide remedial and aesthetic treatments in less time. Other dentists have CAD/CAM chair technology and can render veneers in just one visit.

Dental Laboratories, CAD/CAM, and Timeframes

Dentists usually collaborate with outside dental laboratories to produce the required restorations. And, as mentioned, some dental laboratories use CAD/CAM technology to create veneers. If your procedure is performed in a dental laboratory, you may obtain a temporary appointment at the time of your training.

Temporary veneers offer a hint of the planned result, although it should be noted that temporary veneers will not always be used. If your treatment requires one or a few teeth and enough enamel remains on the surface, your dentist can forgo a temporary procedure.

Increased sensitivity can also occur if you have temporary positions or for a limited period after the final veneers have been mounted. During the placement appointment, your dentist will eliminate the timeframes and position the final veneers, after which they will review and modify to ensure optimum fit and color.

Recovery and Post-Process Treatment

Veneers are robust and have been shown to last for several years before they need to be replaced. Seeing your dentist and hygienist for routine exams and dental cleaning is vital for preserving your oral health and the durability of your recovery. Aftercare is also essential.

Chipped or broken porcelain veneers cannot be fixed, so your dentist can inform you of the expense and time associated with replacing damaged porcelain veneers.

Do not bite or chew hard objects such as nuts, shells, or bones to minimize injury risk, and don’t use your teeth to open or tear packets. Your dentist may also warn you to avoid some foods that can cause harm to you and your new veneers. Clean and floss your teeth as you usually would, and make sure to use a non-abrasive toothpaste. 

In general, veneers do not need special treatment. Continue to observe good oral hygiene habits, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash as usual. While porcelain veneers are resistant to stains, your dentist might recommend that you avoid staining foods and beverages (e.g., coffee, tea, or red wine).

Risks of dental veneers

• The procedure cannot be reversed.
• Veneers cost more than the bonding of composite resin.
• Typically, veneers cannot be fixed if they chip or crack.
• Since the enamel has been lost, the tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks.
• Though unlikely, the veneers could dislodge and fall off. So, do not bite your nails, chew on pencils, ice, or other hard objects, or otherwise place too much pressure on your teeth to reduce the risk of this happening.
• Veneers are not the right choice for people with oral health concerns (for example, those with decay or active gum disease), damaged teeth (due to deterioration, fracture, large dental fillings), or those who do not have enough existing enamel on the tooth surface. 
• People who clench and grit their teeth are poor candidates for porcelain veneers, as this can cause veneers to crack or chip.

Dental veneer substitutes

Alternatives to veneers include bonding and crowning. Veneers could be your best option if you want to alter your tooth shape more than just a little bit, like bonding, but not enough to require a crown.

Dental veneers can be used to treat: 

The main advantage of veneers is to enhance the quality of your teeth, giving you a brighter, more even smile. Dental veneers are sometimes used to treat the following cosmetic conditions:

• Chipped teeth
• Extreme discoloration or irregular coloring that cannot be corrected by whitening
• A gap in the teeth
• Smaller than average teeth
• Pointed teeth 

Summary 

Dental veneers are cosmetic devices that modify the appearance of a person’s teeth. Dental veneers enhance color, provide a natural tooth shape, minimize cracks, cover chips, and hide other minor tooth damage. Veneers can vary in cost and durability.

Porcelain veneers are usually healthier and last longer, but come with a far higher price. If you’re looking for a long-term solution for major cosmetic issues, dental veneers could be your ticket to a beautiful smile.

The post Dental veneers: Types, costs, procedure, and what to expect appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

1. Swap sugary drinks for water to maintain proper dental hygiene.

Consuming sugar is terrible for your overall health, but it can be detrimental to your oral hygiene. The bacteria left behind after consuming something sugary turns to acid. This acid will eat away at your tooth enamel and cause significant problems down the road. 

Pay attention to how much sugar you eat in a day. You may be surprised by just how much it is. Then try swapping your sugary drink of choice with water. Your teeth and your body will thank you!

2. Avoid starchy foods and add fresh crunchy produce to promote oral hygiene.

As bad as sugar is for your teeth, the American Dental Association has found starchy foods far worse. Why? Because starch breaks down into sugar, and it sticks around. 

When you eat starchy food, the particles often linger in your mouth. The result is food left sitting in and around your teeth, eating away at your enamel for an extended period of time. Try adding fresh, crisp produce to your diet instead. 

3. Don’t skip your nighttime brushing for a healthy dental check.

It is probably not news that your dentist recommends brushing twice a day. Despite that being a known fact, a Delta Dental study found that only 55% of Americans brush their teeth twice a day. 14% do it three or more times a day, and the rest brush once, or not at all. 

Not brushing your teeth before bed means that the sugar, starch, and bacteria from the day are left to sit and eat away at your enamel all night. That can have a devastating long term effect on your oral hygiene.

4. Brush your teeth and your tongue for better dental hygiene.

Your tongue can hold a lot of bacteria. If left untouched, that bacteria can spread throughout your mouth and body. This bacteria is a leading contributor to bad breath. 

Making tongue cleaning part of your regular oral hygiene routine is the best way to ensure it gets done twice a day as recommended. Use your toothbrush on your tongue for a few seconds or use a tongue scraper. As a bonus, you may find that food tastes better with a clean tongue.

5. Add mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine.

Mouthwash is an excellent tool for maintaining oral hygiene. Its many benefits include eliminating bacteria from hard to reach spaces in your mouth. Some mouthwashes can even strengthen enamel. 

Mouthwash is a quick and easy way to finish off any dental hygiene routine.  

6. Don’t smoke to maintain proper oral hygiene.

Smoking isn’t good for your overall health, but it is especially bad for your oral hygiene. According to the CDC, smokers are at twice the risk of gum disease. Worse yet, gum disease treatments are often less effective on smokers, leaving them with lasting severe health issues.

If you are a smoker, consider seeing a dentist near you as soon as possible for a check-up. Catching a condition like gum disease early is crucial. Putting the pack down is one of the most crucial dental hygiene tips.

7. Clean your toothbrush, and don’t share it for better dental hygiene.

Cleaning your toothbrush is simple yet extremely important. All you have to do is thoroughly rinse the toothpaste and food particles from your toothbrush after each use. This simple rinse prevents bacteria from growing in particles that would otherwise get left behind. 

It is also important that you never share your toothbrush. When you do, you are sharing all the bacteria found in your mouth and possibly even blood. For that reason, even sharing among family members isn’t recommended. Cleaning your toothbrush is a cornerstone of dental hygiene tips.

8. Floss or use a water pick for a healthy dental check-up.

Flossing is one thing we all know we are supposed to do regularly, but nearly 59% of Americans admit to not flossing every day. That means small food particles are left between teeth to eat away at the enamel and cause cavities. This is a crucial dental hygiene tip.

Flossing can be a challenge for some. In that case, a water pick is a great way to get into the small cracks and tight spaces between your teeth.

9. Visit your dentist regularly as part of a great oral hygiene routine.

Visiting your dentist at least once a year is one of our top oral hygiene tips. Whether you have underlying dental issues or not, a regular visit with your dentist will ensure that problems are dealt with quickly when they arise, and you can avoid any future issues.

Good dental hygiene is a crucial part of leading a long and healthy life. Following these nine dental hygiene tips will put you on the right track for a healthy and bright smile!

The post 9 dental hygiene tips for a healthy smile appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

This article looks at the steps you should take before selecting a plan and how to get dental insurance. Still unsure? We have answers to some of the most commonly asked questions that will give you the confidence to get and use your insurance like an expert.

What to do before getting a dental insurance plan

Thanks to today’s easy-to-navigate websites, purchasing insurance only takes a few minutes. But before you grab the easiest (and cheapest) plan available, follow the steps below to make sure what you pick will work for you.

Step 1: Who needs coverage?

Are you looking for coverage just for yourself? Or do you have a spouse or kids whose dental costs you’ll also need help covering? If you’re in the latter group, you need to consider your dependents. Determining just who needs dental coverage is step one. Single and loving it? Skip to pre-existing conditions. 

Did you know dentists who treat kids often require training in pediatric dentistry? With its own special training and skill set, this type of dentistry is covered in some packages and not others. Full coverage plans will be your best option if you think your children will need braces. Overall, when purchasing dental insurance for kids you will need an idea of which pediatric dentists are within your coverage networks and what services are included in the plan.

Step 2: Understand pre-existing conditions

The Affordable Care Act made it illegal for health insurers to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, however, this only applies to health insurance. Dental insurance is, unfortunately, not clearly included under this act.

Pre-existing dental conditions — conditions experienced before you get dental insurance — can sometimes lead to the denial of insurance claims. Pre-existing conditions can include missing teeth or diagnosed gum-disease but can vary by plan. Figuring out if you have a pre-existing condition will help you find insurance that offers you coverage.

Step 3: Budget for out-of-pocket expenses

Budgeting for dental expenses isn’t impossible as long as you read through the insurance plan details and then compare.

Find out the co-pay amount and how much of a deductible you will need to pay before the insurance kicks in. Deductibles can run upwards of $1,000, so it’s important to try to set this money aside ahead of getting dental work done. That’s part one of your budget done. The type of dental insurance that a person has will typically guide how much they pay for services. Insurance plans often follow a 100-80-50 rule. Many plans also have $1,500 maximums that they’ll payout to claimants annually, though there are exceptions. Compare different plan options to see which out of pocket expenses fit within your budget. 

Step 4: Anticipate waiting periods

Anyone looking to get dental insurance can probably go for cleanings or x-rays immediately. But be prepared for waiting periods from six months up to a year for coverage on root canals or gum disease treatment.

Why? Insurance companies are businesses at the end of the day. Without these waiting periods, nothing would prevent people from signing up for coverage only for a month or two to get some badly-needed dental work and then ditching their coverage. 

Waiting periods don’t necessarily mean more in-depth dental work can’t be done right away, people just might have to pay out of pocket. Again, check your plan options for rules on waiting plans. 

If it seems like we’re telling you to do a lot of reading, you got us. We are. But this will save you huge toothaches down the road. 

Step 5: Decide between group or individual coverage

The National Association of Dental Plans noted that as of late 2016, roughly 250 million Americans had dental coverage, falling into two types of plans:

• Public plans like Medicaid, covering approximately 83.9 million people
• Private and group plans, covering approximately 164.2 million people

How do you decide what to choose? Group plans generally are purchased through employers or groups like the AARP. If you’re purchasing insurance all on your own, you’ll likely select individual coverage.

How to Choose a Dental Insurance Plan

After following the steps above, it’s time to select an insurance plan. Here’s what to do at this point to ensure you get the coverage you need.

Get Clear on Your Coverage

Dental insurance generally breaks down into three types of plans. Knowing which one is right for you can help maximize your dollars and ensure you aren’t paying huge amounts for services.

• Dental Health Maintenance Organizations, or DHMOs, have lower premiums, higher deductibles, and restricted provider networks.

• Dental Preferred Provider Organizations, or DPPOs, have higher premiums, higher deductibles, and broader treatment networks.

• Dental Indemnity Insurance, which is becoming less common, has the highest premiums but allows people to go to any dentist they want.

Whichever you choose, you’ll want to be clear what the plan you’ve selected exactly covers and how much of covered expenses are paid out. More information can typically be found online or the literature they send you. 

Yup, that’s right. More reading. Find a comfy spot and dig into those insurance booklets. 

Know which dentists are in your network

Unless you opt for indemnity insurance, you’ll be restricted on which dentists you can see.

While you aren’t outright restricted from going to out-of-network dentists, this can lead to extra charges. If you’re looking at a PPO or DHMO dental insurance plan, consult their online network list. Dental offices will also generally know which insurance plans they can accept. That said, choosing an in-network dentist shouldn’t prevent people from seeking second opinions. 

Select your coverage level

Now you need to take a critical look at how much insurance you need.

A cheap plan of maybe a few hundred dollars a year with a couple of cleanings included will more or less pay for itself. Cleanings aren’t relatively expensive and are even available at dental schools for cheap, so while it can be tempting to forgo dental insurance entirely, we wouldn’t recommend it. For its relatively low cost and availability in times of emergency, dental insurance is worth the $20 or $30 monthly premium.

From there, you will want to decide if a PPO, DHMO, or indemnity plan is right for you and how much of a deductible you’re comfortable paying.

Narrow down your choices

This is the due-diligence stage of getting dental insurance you’ll actually use. Check out reviews online of potential insurers to make sure there’s a good chance they’ll payout on any claims. Also, check out the reviews for dentists in their networks. It might be worth selecting a slightly more expensive plan if it leads to better coverage and a better dentist.

Get dental insurance

When you’re ready to get dental insurance, the process is pretty easy and generally happens one of three ways:

1. Through a job
2. Through an insurance broker
3. On a dental website

Again, it’s the work leading up to this stage that matters much more than the actual, simple transaction.

Five FAQs to consider when you get dental insurance

Confused? Need more information about the benefits of insurance? Here are some answers to a few common questions.

1. Is there a best dental insurance?

Not exactly.

Finding the best dental insurance depends on a range of factors, including a person’s level of need and their economic situation.

For younger people with relatively strong teeth, a high-deductible plan that’s good for occasional cleanings and emergency fillings or root canals might be the best dental insurance. This same plan, however, might cause serious financial hardship for people expecting to get a lot of use out of their dental insurance.

2. How do I get dental insurance?

Dental insurance can usually be purchased a few different ways. Many people become eligible for group dental insurance after an initial waiting period at a job typically after 60 or 90 days. Others decide to purchase private insurance through an insurance broker or by contacting a dental insurance company directly. You can also get dental insurance online straight through providers.

3. Does dental insurance have open enrolment like the ACA?

This depends in part on if a person is looking to purchase dental insurance alongside their ACA plan. If this is the case, the answer is yes, though a person isn’t limited to purchasing dental insurance strictly during open enrolment periods. They can also purchase ACA dental insurance after a qualifying event, like the loss of a job.

Information on open enrolment periods can be found on Healthcare.gov or websites for state-based exchanges, such as Covered California.

4. How much will dental insurance cost me?

It can be difficult to calculate the true cost of insurance. While premiums can run for under $20 a month, that’s only part of the cost.

Many insurance plans have deductibles that need to be met for the year before starting to cover costs. Other plans require certain work, such as root canals or gum-disease treatments, to be paid for partially (but substantially) out of pocket, often needing you to cover at least 50 percent.

Premium expenses can run about $360 a year for individuals and up to $680 annually for families.

5. Can I use a policy tomorrow that I purchase today?

Yes, but avoid the temptation to pull a fast one. The rules of insurance are clear and typically long for a reason.

As noted earlier, many insurance plans have waiting periods on procedures like root canals, to help prevent people from signing up for insurance right before having a bunch of dental work done and then quickly canceling.

Dental insurance isn’t a video streaming service or gym membership. Attempting to treat it like one is likely to fail — don’t try it. 

Article updated as of June 2021

The post How to get dental insurance appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Yellow teeth can be a huge insecurity for many, and so it’s common to look for ways to whiten their discolored teeth. 

Here you’ll learn about what causes yellow teeth, remedies you can try at home, and what your treatment options are. For a perfect smile, understand these yellow teeth causes and remedies.

What causes yellow teeth?

There are a few things that can cause yellow teeth. Proper oral hygiene like brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist are all a big help in staving off tooth discoloration. However, even if you follow all of your dentist’s instructions, you might still have yellow teeth because there is another underlying cause. 

Let’s take a look at some common yellow teeth causes.

Food

Just as some foods can stain your clothing, they can also stain your teeth. Coffee and tea are common offenders and you’ll see that older lovers of these beverages will often sport yellowed teeth.   

Other common offenders include red wine, dark sauces like soy sauce or balsamic vinegar, colas, and chocolate. Even some strongly-colored fruits and vegetables like beets, pomegranates, cherries, and blueberries can stain your teeth. However, this not an excuse to eat your beets —!

These are surface-levels stains that can be treated easily professionally, and even at home.

Smoking

Smoking is seriously bad for you, causing a whole list of health problems including cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and more. Not surprisingly, the negative effect of smoking on your oral health is no exception. If you smoke, you should kick the habit for good starting now, but seek help if you need it!. 

Both the nicotine and tar in tobacco can cause stains on the outside of your teeth. However, all is not lost if you dream of having whiter teeth. All you have to do is stop smoking and start using a tooth whitening product. Smoking stains can be stubborn, but with patience and a steady oral healthcare regimen, you can eventually enjoy a whiter smile. 

If you’re a regular smoker, consider seeing a dentist frequently. Dentists can spot complications from smoking before they turn into preventable diseases.

Illness

In addition to their own symptoms, some illnesses can cause discolored teeth. What’s more, some medical treatments like chemotherapy for head or neck cancers can also have a negative effect on the color of your teeth. 

Medications

The medications you take for certain conditions such as asthma or high blood pressure can cause yellow teeth. Even antihistamines can be a guilty party. 

At your next dentist appointment ask for help with yellowed teeth and be sure to tell your dentist about any medications, even over-the-counter ones, that you may be taking. This can help them narrow down the root cause of your yellow or brown teeth.

Trauma

Trauma to the tooth, such as being struck while suffering a sports injury, can also cause discoloration.  

Fluoride

Yep, you can have too much of a good thing. Fluoride being one. 

In small amounts, it can help strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities, but get too much and you’ll enjoy a dull, yellow smile instead. 

Genetics

Some people just have yellowish teeth. Dentin, the inner layer of your teeth underneath the enamel, is naturally a yellow color. Some people have thinner tooth enamel or it’s more transparent, causing the yellowish color of the dentin to shine through. They may have perfectly strong, healthy teeth, but have been unlucky enough to inherit yellow-colored teeth in a society that’s obsessed with pearly whites. 

What are the types of tooth discoloration (stains)?

There are two types of teeth stains — extrinsic and intrinsic. 

Extrinsic stains are caused by external factors. For example, smoking or eating dark-colored foods can lead to stained teeth. These stains primarily affect the tooth enamel and while you might have to work hard to remove them, rest assured they can usually be removed.

Intrinsic stains are a bit trickier to deal with. These stains are caused by internal factors and affect the dentin, an inner layer of your tooth that lies below the enamel. 

For instance, taking some medications or overexposure to fluoride (particularly as a child) can cause brown spots on your teeth. Adults aren’t safe either. Keep in mind that prescription-strength mouthwashes prescribed by dentists to treat gingivitis and other tooth problems often contain chlorhexidine–a compounds that can also discolor your teeth. 

Why are my teeth yellow even though I have good dental hygiene?

Because of the nature of yellow teeth, it is possible to maintain the strictest tooth-brushing regimen in the world and still end up with yellow or brown teeth. 

Good oral hygiene can help stave off extrinsic stains by attacking them before they can fully form. However, intrinsic stains are harder to control. All the vigorous flossing and brushing you can muster won’t keep your teeth from discoloring due to a medication. 

How can yellow teeth be prevented?

It is relatively simple to prevent yellow teeth. Maintain proper dental hygiene and avoid the other factors that can cause tooth staining. In other words:

• Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
• Limit red wine, coffee, tea, etc.
• Avoid taking medications that may affect your teeth, if you can
• Don’t overdo it with fluoride
• Don’t get a chronic disease like cancer or diabetes
• Don’t be born with the genetics that predisposes you to get yellow teeth

Unfortunately, you can’t control all of these factors, so do your best with the ones you can. 

Can yellow teeth become white?

Depending on the root cause of your tooth discoloration, you may be able to enjoy pearly whites once more. For example, at-home or professional whitening can scrub away extrinsic stains relatively quickly. 

Even discoloration from medications and the like can be removed when you use the proper technique. This is why consulting with a dentist can be helpful. First, they will work to discover the root cause of your yellow or stained teeth, and then they’ll recommend the best course of treatment. 

If you’re “blessed” with genetically yellowish teeth, tooth whitening may not be as successful as you’d like, but there are still cosmetic dentistry options you can explore if all else fails. Use these teeth whitening remedies.

How do you whiten yellow teeth?

There are many methods for whitening yellow teeth. How effective they will be is dependent on what is causing the yellowing. It is important to be aware that some methods may erode your tooth enamel and should be avoided. Let’s look at a few common methods here.

At-home teeth whitening remedies

There are a few really effective teeth whitening remedies. When your teeth are yellowing due to food stains, brushing with an electric toothbrush can be an effective option. The vibration of the bristles is more effective at loosening plaque and the pellicle, or thick film, on your teeth that is helping to cause the stains. Double that with a whitening toothpaste with activated charcoal and you’ve got a pretty effective recipe for whitening. You might also try adding baking soda to your toothpaste for an extra whitening boost.   

Though it might seem counterintuitive since turmeric turns foods yellow and can stain clothing, oil pulling with a mixture of coconut oil and turmeric may help. This concoction is effective at cutting down on the number of bacteria in your mouth which could be contributing to your tooth discoloration problem.

That is, if you can stand the taste.

There are a few other home remedy suggestions that you’ll find floating out there on the internet, but steer away from acidic methods like strawberries and orange peels. Cosmetically, they may make your teeth look whiter, but the acid is destroying your tooth enamel, which can further exacerbate the problem later on. Don’t be so obsessed with getting white teeth that you cause your teeth to age and yellow prematurely!

Teeth whitening treatment options

There are a few at-home tooth whitening options you can try as well. You can buy whitening strips or gels over-the-counter and apply these to your teeth as directed. These formulas usually contain peroxide and can be effective at removing stains within a few days.  

If you need some extra whitening power, it’s time for a trip to your friendly neighborhood dentist! Professional tooth whitening involves bleaching your teeth at the dentist’s office. Depending on the severity of your stains, you may need to have a few treatments. Your dentist may also use special lights or lasers to enhance the effect. Keep in mind that most dental insurance doesn’t cover teeth whitening.

How to find a dentist

Don’t have a regular dentist? No problem! We are dedicated to helping people find the perfect dentist. With a large network of dentists all across North America, we can help you find a dentist in your area that will meet your oral health needs.

We firmly believe that healthy teeth and proper oral health are necessary for a happy, healthy life and we’re happy to help you reach that goal!

The post Yellow teeth: Causes, home remedies, and treatment options appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

80% of Americans between 18 and 49 wish their teeth were whiter. For women, that same survey reports the numbers are as high as 85%.

We’re going to review some of the main causes of teeth staining and prevention. To help you on your journey to a whiter smile, we’ll also share some tips on how to treat stained teeth. 

3 Primary Types of Tooth Stains

There are essentially three main types of teeth stains. They are:

• Extrinsic Stains: These are your fairly simple, surface-level stains. They’re often caused by certain types of food and drink, tobacco use, or, sometimes, just plain poor oral hygiene habits. The bad news is that extrinsic stains are common. The good news? These stains on the enamel can be dealt with more easily than the other two primary types of tooth stains.

• Intrinsic Stains: These types of stains are trickier to address. Intrinsic stains are more deeply-ingrained below the surface of the teeth in the dentin layer. Wondering why that whitening toothpaste didn’t make a difference on your stained teeth? You might be dealing with intrinsic tooth stains, which can result from trauma, root canal treatment, and fluorosis. More sophisticated methods are needed to counteract these stains.

• Age-Related Stains: To some extent, stained teeth are unavoidable throughout a lifetime. This is because dentin naturally yellows over time. As toothpaste giant Crest notes, enamel also thins as teeth age, allowing yellowing dentin to show through. This doesn’t necessarily mean that older people are doomed to yellow teeth, but they are almost certainly more at risk.

It’s worth noting that it’s rare to just have one type of stained teeth, the different types of stains can work in tandem and compound one another.

How Teeth Get Stained

Teeth can get stained in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common reasons that your smile can lose its sparkle. 

Various Foods

A veritable fridge-worth of food can stained teeth. Here are 10 of the more common offenders:

• Citrus fruits
• Tomatoes
• Sweets
• Popsicles
• Soy sauce
• Curry
• Beets
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Pomegranates

You don’t have to avoid all the food above to keep your teeth white. But keeping in mind what types of food can cause stains can be a helpful tool when learning how to prevent future stains. 

Drinks

Liquids can be equally damaging to your enamel and lead to stained teeth. Here are some drinks that can lead to tooth discoloration:

• Juices made from any of the foods above
• Soda (which contain dyes and acids that can stain teeth)
• Coffee (which has tannins that can cause discoloration)
• Tea (with tannins that discolor teeth at a higher rate than coffee)
• Alcohol (people experiencing alcohol use disorder tend to have higher plaque levels and are 3x more likely to experience tooth loss)
• Wine (which also has tannins and, as Vox noted, can stain teeth hereditarily)

As with the foods above, all of the drinks here don’t have to be forsaken to preserve teeth. Moderation is key, as are some other strategies we’ll talk about in the next section of this article.

Tobacco Products (Not Just Cigarettes)

Few things can stain teeth like tobacco, though it’s not just cigarettes you need to watch out for. Even electronic cigarettes can cause stains, as can smokeless tobacco.

Thank science for the main reason tobacco, in its various forms, is infamous for staining teeth. When combined with oxygen, nicotine turns yellow. Nicotine and tobacco tar also absorb into the tooth’s natural pores. Even the way a smoker smokes can affect their teeth, with this dental website noting: “Often, smokers will have certain teeth that become darker than others due to their method of inhalation.”

However it happens, brown stains on the back of teeth or brown stains on teeth near gums can be a sign that tobacco is beginning to wreak havoc on the mouth and that it’s time to take action.

Poor Dental Hygiene

Put simply, if you’re not listening to your dentist, you’re likely helping those stains get worse. Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash all work together to keep your mouth clean and your teeth protected from stains. When you skip these steps, stains can build up quickly. 

To avoid these problems, it’s important to see a dentist frequently. If you get regular cleanings at the dentist, you will not only get rid of intrinsic stains, but also prevent issues that can stain teeth down the road.

Feeling motivated now? Good news, because stains begin extrinsically, they can be removed if brushing, flossing, and mouthwash habits improve. If you decide to keep skipping the floss, remember when stains can get down to the intrinsic dentin level, they are far more difficult to eradicate.

Trauma

Blunt trauma, such as from a fall, can cause teeth to become yellow or brown for children and lead to grey or black discoloration for adults.

When tooth trauma occurs in children, only the baby teeth are typically affected and healthy adult teeth grow in eventually. It’s usually just a matter of playing the waiting game to have a fully white smile again—with a pediatric dentist weighing in, of course.

Unlucky Genes

When it comes to stained teeth, some people are just unlucky. More people are predisposed when it comes to tooth discoloration than you might expect.

A Massachusetts-based dental director noted that genetics are the top reason people have discolored teeth, telling Live Science: “Dentinogenesis imperfecta and amelogenesis imperfecta are two inherited disorders that cause the teeth to develop improperly and could lead to discoloration.”

Disease, Pregnancy, and Vitamin Deficiency

Cancer, or chemotherapy more appropriately, can cause tooth discoloration. Pregnant mothers can get infections that affect the enamel development of their children, according to WebMD. In addition, tooth discoloration resulting from vitamin deficiency is something to watch out for.

Medication

Medications can cause stained teeth too, often enough that the National Institute of Health weighed in with a 2014 paper “to give an overview of the various medications that can be linked to tooth discoloration and to suggest the precautionary measures that can be taken to avoid or minimize it.”

Medications known to affect teeth, according to WebMD, include antibiotics, antihistamines, and antipsychotics.

Age

Sometimes teeth will get more yellow as a person ages even if their oral hygiene is top-notch. 

A 2010 article published by Harvard University noted that roughly 75 percent of people over the age of 65 still had some or all of their natural teeth. But because of this, this population was more likely to suffer from a variety of oral ailments, including dental decay and stained teeth. 

Fluoride

Often a controversial subject, fluoride technically has been reported to cause staining, but not the same kind as sodas or medication. 

NBC News noted in 2018 that nearly 75 percent of the United States receives fluoride in its community water supply. The article states, that despite the recent backlash, there are few negative symptoms of adding fluoride to water: “In this country, the only common side effect of fluoridation is fluorosis of the teeth — minor staining that is often only visible to a dentist.” 

Treating and Preventing Stained Teeth: At Home

Do you currently have stained teeth? Fear not. The treatment strategies outlined below will help you deal with even the direst of teeth stains. But first — a few tips to help prevent teeth from ever becoming stained, to begin with.

8 Ways to Prevent Coffee and Tea Stains

Coffee and tea can mess up teeth easily (in fact, tea can surprisingly stain teeth at a higher rate than coffee). However, it’s not hard to fight back and reclaim that pearly, white smile we all desire.

Here are eight things that can be done to prevent coffee and tea from staining teeth:

1. Wait to brush: Coffee, especially, is acidic. As this article notes: “Brushing your teeth immediately after eating or drinking anything acidic weakens tooth enamel and causes staining.”
2. Eat strawberries or lemons: Their natural fibers can break down bacteria from food and drink, including from coffee and tea.
3. Drink through a to-go lid or a straw: Doing this can “reduce some of the acid created in your mouth.”
4. Rotate your beverages with water: This can ease thirst, while also helping clean the mouth.
5. Drink water quickly: Quickly drinking or swishing water can wash away coffee and tea’s tannins and residue from the mouth.
6. Drink milk: A study by the School of Dentistry at the University of Alberta found that casein in milk helps prevent teeth staining.
7. Chew sugar-free gum: This is another well-known remedy, though this dentist says to make sure to find gums with the American Dental Association’s seal of approval.
8. Limit consumption: Those who look into it generally recommend that adults have no more than a few cups of coffee per day. Among the benefits: Healthier teeth.

Create a Barrier that Wards Off Stains

Quesadilla lovers of the world, rejoice!

A Woman’s Day piece, cataloging six ways to keep red wine from staining teeth, noted that cheeses such as asiago and cheddar “coat your teeth in calcium, making it harder for the tannins to stick.”

And, the same piece noted that the petroleum in lip gloss can act as a natural barrier against tannins that stick to teeth.

Whiten with Banana Peels (No, Seriously)

A specialist confirmed that rubbing the insides of banana peels on teeth two minutes a day can yield whiter teeth after just three weeks.

There’s a caveat, though: “If you rub the skin it can act as a gentle exfoliator and will remove some surface stains, but the banana will not reach inside the pores on the surface of your enamel — so no true ‘deep’ cleaning will take place.”

Make a Dent in Nicotine Stains

A variety of remedies, such as brushing after smoking, can keep teeth looking their whitest, though the involvement of professionals might be needed to remove nicotine stains.

Professional whitening

Simple, over-the-counter stained teeth remedies often work best with extrinsic or “surface-level” stains. Medical News Today spells out an assortment of strategies including brushing with a mixture of baking soda and water, rinsing with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution, and using whitening mouthwashes or toothpaste.

However, those intrinsic, deeper stains often require the attention of dental professionals.

If you want whiter teeth, we can help.

Regular trips to the dentist can help your teeth look their whitest and present future stains.

The post Stained teeth 101: How to prevent and clean stains from wine, coffee, and more appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Is the inside of your mouth feeling uncomfortable? Do you notice painful white patches in your mouth? There are many reasons for these pesky white spots. And yes, while left untreated they may go away, however these white patches can be connected to health conditions that will need to be treated by either your doctor or dentist. If you noticed any of the symptoms above, keep reading to find out how you can get them under control.

Identifying your white patches

Canker Sores and Cold sores

Canker sores also called apthous ulcers, are often confused with cold sores, but they are completely different. A canker sore is an ulcer that develops on the inside of your mouth. A cold sore is a viral infection,  found on the outside of the mouth, usually the lips, and appears as a small fluid like blister. Unlike a canker sore, a cold sore is caused by the herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and can be easily spread if left untreated. A canker sore is more of a painful annoyance which can be left untreated.

Canker sores are one of the most common mouth complaints. Most people who have canker sores only experience them infrequently; however, around 20% to 30% have recurrent outbreaks. You might notice that a canker sores pops up three or four times a year and lasts for about a week. Complex canker sores are larger, more painful, and may last up to a month.

Causes of Canker Sores

Many things can cause a canker sore like: hormonal changes, stress, and physical mouth trauma Certain foods can also cause canker sores like  citrus fruits. Vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, iron, folic acid, and zinc can also add to the problem.

Symptoms of Canker Sores

Canker sores form on the soft tissues of the mouth and gums. They are round or oval, and the edges are red, while the center is white or slightly yellow. You may feel a burning or tingling sensation before onset. Another symptom is a stinging pain, especially when you talk or eat.

Treatments for Canker Sores

To help treat your canker sores, rinse your mouth with saltwater or a baking soda and water mix. You can also put a small amount of milk of magnesia directly onto the sore. Both of these  methods can be done several times per day.

You should make a dentist appointment if your symptoms last over two weeks, get worse with home remedies, occur several times per year, or are severe. If your canker sores are combined with symptoms such as headache, fever, diarrhea, or skin rash, seek medical attention. Treatments for canker sores are aimed to ease the symptoms, reduce inflammation, and prevent secondary effects, such as a bacterial infection. They don’t guarantee you won’t develop these ulcers again in the future.

You may be prescribed one of three things to treat the infection and relieve pain like a steroid mouth rinse, anesthetics, or antibiotics to reduce inflammatory irritation.

Canker Sores Prevention

In general, canker sores are difficult to predict and prevent. Fortunately, once they’ve appeared, there are ways to ensure the situation doesn’t worsen. Try to avoid contact with your canker sores. Don’t continually touch them with your tongue and be careful when brushing your teeth. Avoid spicy, hot, and acidic foods and beverages. Also try not to eat sharp foods, such as chips.

Cold sores

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia should be taken seriously. While the majority of leukoplakia cases are benign, some can be precancerous.

Causes of Leukoplakia

Chewing tobacco and chronic smoking might cause leukoplakia, among other dental issues. Ill-fitting dentures, HIV or AIDS, and sun exposure to your lips have also been shown as possible causes of leukoplakia. In rare cases, oral cancer can be connected to leukoplakia as well.

Symptoms of Leukoplakia

Thick, white patches in your mouth that cannot be easily scraped off is the main symptom of leukoplakia. These patches can be flat or irregularly-shaped and tend to harden or thicken r over time. In severe cases, you may experience mild discomfort or pain when swallowing. Red lesions (erythroplakia) may appear. Leukoplakia with red lesions is more likely to be cancerous or precancerous.

Treatments for Leukoplakia

Anybody who has been diagnosed with leukoplakia, should stop using tobacco products immediately. If it’s determined your leukoplakia is caused by ill-fitting dentures, a rough tooth, or an irregular filling surface, a dentist can fix that problem. In the case a weakened immune system is contributing to your leukoplakia, you might be prescribed antiviral medications or topical treatments.

It’s important for your dentist or doctor to take a biopsy of your leukoplakia to rule out cancer. If necessary, it will be removed through oral surgery.

Leukoplakia Prevention

Once you have had leukoplakia, it can come back again. We suggest booking a follow-up appointment with your doctor and dentist.

Quitting both tobacco use and smoking is one of the best ways to prevent leukoplakia. Maintaining good oral hygiene goes a long way towards preventing leukoplakia. Another tip is to reduce alcohol and eat a diet rich in antioxidants.

Oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus is an autoimmune condition characterized by the inflammation of mucous membranes in your mouth. Lichen planus can affect any lining mucosa, such as esophageal or vaginal mucosa, but it most commonly affects the oral cavity. Only 2 % of the population (and mainly older women) suffer from Oral lichen plus.

Causes of Oral lichen planus

Some experts suspect genetics and immunity may play a role. Others believe lichen planus might be an autoimmune disorder or a cell-mediated immune response. There’s been documented connections between oral lichen planus and the use of beta-blockers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Symptoms of Oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus causes white, lacy patches to form. Other symptoms include burning pain, bleeding gums while eating or brushing teeth, redness, open sores, and swelling. You might also experience a sensitivity to acidic or hot food.

Treatments for Oral lichen planus

Although there’s no cure for oral lichen planus, the symptoms can be managed. A dentist or doctor may prescribe topical, oral, or injectable corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. You may also be prescribed numbing gels to help decrease any pain.

Additionally, some people may receive medications to suppress or control the immune system. Be aware oral lichen planus can raise your risk of secondary infections, nutritional deficiencies, and oral cancer. It’s highly recommended for those with oral lichen planus to have regular checkups.

Oral lichen planus Prevention

Although oral lichen planus may not be totally prevented, you can lower your risk of developing it by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and by limiting alcohol and tobacco use.

Oral Thrush

Everyone has a small amount s of the candida fungus in their mouths, digestive tracts, and skin. These are kept at healthy levels by other bacteria and microorganisms. However, this balance can get thrown off and  if the fungus candida grows too much, you can develop oral thrush.

Causes of Oral Thrush

There are several reasons you might develop oral thrush (a candida overgrowth) such as:  medications like antibiotics, birth control pills, and corticosteroids.. You can also develop oral thrush if you have cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, HIV infection, dry mouth, or are pregnant.

If you smoke, wear improperly-fitted dentures, are breastfeeding an infected baby, or have poor oral hygiene a candida overgrowth can occur

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

Oral thrush can appear as white sores that are slightly raised with a cottage cheese appearance.Typically the sores appear on the tongue or inner cheeks, but can be found on the gums, tonsils, roof of the mouth, or back of the throat.

Oral thrush may give you a cotton-like feeling in your mouth. It can cause irritation,pain, a loss of taste, redness, and cracking or bleeding at the corner of your mouth. If you notice these symptoms, get yourself to the dentist or your family doctor.

Treatments for Oral Thrush

Remedies that help  fight oral thrush include gargling with salt water, quitting or reducing tobacco use, limiting sugar, and using an antibacterial mouthwash. Your dentist or doctor may also prescribe you an antifungal medication.

Oral thrush may be a symptom of another medical problem, your dentist may recommend speaking with a doctor about any possible underlying health issues.

Oral Thrush Prevention

Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent oral thrush.

Brush and floss daily, if you wear dentures, clean them every day, and make sure to see a dentist regularly. If you use a corticosteroid inhaler, make sure to rinse your mouth after taking the medication. Treat vaginal yeast infections quickly. Limit your sugar intake, and if you have diabetes, make sure to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

Worried About White Patches?

Want to once-and-for-all to determine the cause of the white patches in your mouth? Start by finding a dentist in your area with Opencare.

The post Have white patches in your mouth? Here’s what to do. appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

In this piece, we’ll explore some of the frequent causes of jaw pain from temporomandibular joint disorder to lesser-known causes like teeth grinding. And for those currently suffering from pain in your jaw, we’ll also provide some easy at-home remedies and tips for how to get medical help to treat severe cases.

8 Leading Causes of Jaw Pain

A variety of issues can cause the pain you’re experiencing. Here are some of the common sources:

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw bone to the skull, acting “like a sliding hinge” according to the Mayo Clinic. When this joint becomes injured or affected by a condition such as arthritis, you can end up with jaw pain. Take a listen when you open and close your mouth, if you hear a clicking sound or feel pain around the face, ears, or jaw, these are all common symptoms of TMJ.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is more common than might be widely known, with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimating that more than 10 million Americans experience TMJ. Up to 12 percent of people are affected. Less than half seek treatment, with “the majority of those seeking treatment… women in their childbearing years” according to the National Women’s Health Network.

Trauma

Take a blow to the jaw and it can easily lead to bruises, swelling, and knocked out teeth — all things that affect the ability to chew comfortably and open and close the mouth without pain. 

WebMD notes that soft foods and over-the-counter pain medication can typically ease discomfort, adding, “But if the pain won’t go away, or you can’t open and close your mouth right, you’ll need medical care.”

Sinus Infections

Feeling congested? Breathe America noted the connection between sinus infections and jaw pain: “Sinus infections usually cause swelling, and when that swelling becomes severe, it can even reach to your jaw.” Seek medical help for your infection and with treatment, the ache should subside as your other symptoms lessen.

Dental Issues

Failing to regularly brush and floss and get in for dental cleanings won’t just cause yellow teeth and some funktastic breath. It might also lead to jaw pain.

Any number of different dental issues can cause jaw pain, including:

• Untreated cavities: Discomfort is typically felt when the cavity is deep enough to affect the dentin, the layer of tooth underneath the enamel. “If it continues down into the pulp of your tooth, it can cause pain to radiate around your jaw,” SELF Magazine notes.

• Impacted wisdom teeth: Many people get their wisdom teeth removed in their teen or early adult years. This is due in part to the havoc these teeth, located at the back corners of the mouth, can wreak on the jaw. St. John Health noted that impacted wisdom teeth make the jaw “stiff, sore, and difficult to open.”

Arthritis 

Around 35 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis experience jaw pain according to Medical News Today. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other joint problems also have jaw issues, which can have detrimental, and painful, effects on drinking, eating, and sleeping.

Tetanus

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a disease that results from tetanus bacteria getting into the body through a puncture wound. Infection leads to muscle spasms that lock the jaw closed.

Heart Attack

Jaw pain can be easy to ignore or rationalize away as a seemingly unavoidable part of life. However, sometimes, it can be a symptom of much deeper issues.

The American Heart Association lists various heart attack warning signs on its website, including “pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.”

For many reasons, it’s best to not ignore pain in your jaw when it pops up. In this case, checking with a medical professional might save your life.

Stress

Stress, that feeling of having insufficient resources to deal with whatever’s going on in your life at the moment, has physical manifestations. One of them is teeth grinding which can lead to tooth damage and jaw soreness.

5 Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Jaw Pain

Oral pain is no fun to deal with. That said, here’s some good news: There are many ways to deal with it.

Below are some initial strategies to take which can provide relief. They can also help assess if jaw problems are severe enough to merit medical attention.

Over-The-Counter Medication

Good old ibuprofen.

Athletes are familiar with this all-purpose pain reliever after a tough workout. Turns out ibuprofen is a staple at the dentist’s office as well, able to bring relief to affected jaws.

Acetaminophen, often in the form of  Tylenol, is another popular over-the-counter remedy for pain in your jaw, “but it doesn’t address inflammation,” PracticalPainManagment.com notes.

Dentists and doctors will often have patients attempt over-the-counter solutions before prescribing medication, so you may want to start with this course of action when treating minor pain of the jaw.

Stick to Soft Foods

If you’re experiencing temporary jaw pain, you may want to stick to soft foods so as not to aggravate it.

Per WebMD, some of the foods that can help ease pain include mashed potatoes, yogurt, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, soup, cooked fruits and vegetables, beans, grains, and even fish.

Brittle foods like pretzels or tough foods like cheap steak are to be avoided. While they might be tasty, your jaw is going to feel worse afterward. Embrace the soft foods today so you can heal tomorrow. 

Hot and/or Cold Compresses

The TMJ Association notes that the most common intervention for jaw pain, used by 65 percent of respondents to a survey it conducted, was hot or cold compresses to the jaw. The best part? 74 percent of these respondents reported a reduction in their symptoms. Simple but effective.

Applying a compress to an affected jawline can be as simple as wetting a washcloth and popping it in either the microwave or freezer, but more sophisticated solutions are also available for purchase online or at your local pharmacy.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can work wonders for alleviating jaw pain. PainScience broke down how to massage the masseter muscle, which hangs from the underside of the cheekbone.

“Although the entire muscle can be rubbed gently, most people will find that the satisfying sensation of a Perfect Spot for massaging is limited to the upper edge of the muscle,” the author wrote.

Long-Term Lifestyle Practices

Many different lifestyle practices can help reduce pain.

Yoga and mindful meditation, both of which can reduce stress and teeth grinding, are alternative methods for dealing with pain in your jaw. These are excellent ways to reduce stress but these efforts on their own might not solve your current jaw pain, so while you’re trying other methods using these practices could help prevent future issues. 

Sleeping on your back or adjusting your sleep schedule may help address any deficits which are contributing to jaw and overall muscle fatigue. Making dietary changes such as avoiding chewy foods, limiting caffeine (which can cause muscle soreness), and adding calcium supplements can also help prevent pain before it ever starts.

Getting Medical Help For Jaw Pain

If you’ve tried home remedies and jaw pain persists, it might be time to take the next step and contact a medical professional.

While doctors, dentists, and others within the health community can’t wave a magic wand to immediately rid sufferers of jaw pain, they have various tools to address the issue at its root and help find a solution.

Here is how to go about getting medical help for pain in your jaw.

Tests Medical Professionals May Use to Diagnose and Treat Jaw Pain

Doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals have a broad assortment of tests and diagnostic tools for assessing jaw pain. These can include:

• Basic examinations: a doctor or dentist may listen to and/or feel your jaw while you open and close your mouth
• More in-depth examinations: may include a full physical
• Dental x-rays
• Blood tests: this typically isn’t needed unless an autoimmune condition is suspected
• Psychological examination: bodily pain can sometimes be based in the psyche
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI may assess joint disk or soft tissue problems. However, it’s important to note that MRIs have their limitations in helping treat jaw pain. A University of Minnesota study of 85 patients concluded that “palpation of the (temporomandibular joint) is more accurate than MRI-depicted effusions in identifying the (temporomandibular joint) as the source of pain for patients with unilateral jaw pain.”

A dentist or doctor might employ a combination of these tests to determine what’s going on and begin treatment for pain in your jaw

Jaw Pain Treatments

Once a medical professional has performed the necessary tests and diagnostic assessments, they can move to treatments for oral pain.

Treatments may include:

• Prescribed medications: these can include anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory medication
• Self-care: a good doctor can help a person develop more refined jaw pain reduction strategies that revolve around a focus on self-care that leads to stress reduction

• Mouthguard: helpful for cutting down on teeth grinding
• Botox injections: No longer just a way for making Hollywood celebrities look 10 years younger, botox can provide extra padding for the jaw. An Allure magazine writer tried botox to deal with her pain, with positive results: “After one week, I notice that my headaches are not as frequent and my jaw hurts less, but it’s still swollen and lopsided. By week two, I’m sleeping better and can chew real food without wanting to rip my face off.”
• Jaw surgery: surgery may involve arthroscopy or damaged tissue repair, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Suffering from oral pain? You don’t have to be. Use Opencare to find a good dentist in seconds and start feeling better today.

The post Jaw pain: 8 top causes and what you should do if your mouth aches appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Nearly everyone will be tempted to try natural teeth whitening eventually. Whether it’s to counter the look of yellowing that has developed over time or in preparation for a big event, teeth whitening can help. Maybe it’s due to poor brushing habits or not using an electric toothbrush, which can clean 100 percent better than a manual brush. Or it could be just bad luck.

These things happen but you’re not powerless against yellow teeth. Here’s a comprehensive guide on why teeth turn yellow, natural ways to whiten teeth, and how to prevent tooth staining. 

Common Reasons Teeth Turn Yellow

Worried about yellow teeth? We have good news. Oftentimes there’s a clear cause.

Generally, for teeth to go yellow it’s because of some bad habits connected to lifestyle. Drinking coffee or tea and smoking or chewing tobacco are all common culprits. On the other hand, certain diseases, medications or even genetics can sometimes play a role in tooth discoloration. 

Why is there good news? If the cause is related to lifestyle habits, that means you can also prevent your teeth from losing their white sparkle. More on that in a bit, in the meantime, here are some other factors that cause teeth to yellow.

Enamel Thinning

Tooth enamel is precious. It also makes for a white smile, since enamel is white, with the under-layer, known as dentin, yellow-brown. Unfortunately, enamel is also easy to damage, with the many ways it can happen including excessive soft drink consumption, acid reflux disease, and certain medications.

Stains

In 2016, a professor at Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine studied the outside factors that cause stains. Typically food, beverages, or other substances (like cigarettes) can create extrinsic stains while intrinsic stains are found deeper inside teeth.

This study noted how foods most likely to stain teeth include berries, popsicles, candies, pickles, soy sauce, curries, and tomato sauce. Don’t throw out your strawberries or spicy curry yet! You don’t have to avoid these foods, but knowing some of the big stain-causing contenders will help flag when you need to step up your dental care game — in the form of a thorough brushing — after eating.

But food isn’t the only culprit for teeth staining, according to A recent medical article medications like antibiotics can also cause stains.

Grinding

Are you grinding those pearly whites? That habit can wreak havoc on your teeth and eventually lead to stains. Mouth guards are a common solution for prevention and if left unchecked, grinding can cause enamel loss, fractured teeth, gum recession, and premature aging and yellow due to shrinking dentin. If you’re hoping to show off a bright, white smile but are grinding your teeth you’ll need to quickly address.

Age

To some extent, tooth yellowing can be unavoidable. Dentists state that as teeth age, dentin yellows naturally, causing teeth to change tone over time. If you wear down your enamel this is especially true, so protecting your tooth’s barrier today will help keep them white in the future. 

Intrinsic Factors

Like aging, intrinsic factors are mostly out of your control. But how can you tell if intrinsic factors are causing those yellow hues? Intrinsic stains develop deep inside the tooth and are sometimes caused by unhealthy habits, but they can also happen because of trauma to the tooth, medication administered to young children, and even from in utero factors.

A Chicago-based dentist made note of an unsurprising fact: Intrinsic stains are far more difficult to fix than extrinsic stains. But treatments are available including options like installing veneers.

Easy Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth at Home

Anyone looking to avoid harsh chemicals while teeth whitening, this is the place for you. Did you know using harsh chemicals is generally frowned upon? You could risk damaging your enamel making these treatments often more trouble than they’re worth. Why risk it? When there are numerous methods for natural teeth whitening at home.

The following tips aren’t for instant teeth whitening and some of the methods illustrated here take time. But with persistence, they can yield results. And we bet you have a lot of the items needed in your home right now.

Oil Pulling

The name of this might sound noxious but bare with us. The way this method works is to apply coconut oil to your teeth after brushing and swish the melted oil for anywhere from five to 20 minutes. This is not a misprint, we said minutes.  

But oil pulling, unorthodox as it might sound, can get results. In addition, a study available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information noted, “Oil pulling can be explored as a safe and effective alternative to Chlorhexidine.” While time-consuming, this method has converted many looking for whiter teeth. Side note: Do not try spitting the used oil in the sink, aim for the garbage can. Your plumbing will thank you.

Put Baking Soda on your Toothbrush

This doesn’t mean you have to switch your current toothpaste for one that includes baking soda (but these are widely available and have great reviews.) Health information publisher HealthLine explains how to whiten teeth with baking soda. Start by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of water then brush with the mixture a few times a week.

“Brushing with a paste made with baking soda and water can reduce bacteria in your mouth and buff away surface stains,” HealthLine concluded.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide (in the Appropriate Amount)

An article in Medical News Today noted that hydrogen peroxide can be effective in fighting yellow stains. But before you grab the bottle under your bathroom sink, just remember that overuse of peroxide can cause enamel damage and if you have sensitive teeth you’ll probably want to steer clear of this method. Most store-bought whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide with a strength of 10 percent but you’ll want to use 3 percent (commonly found in stores) to avoid hurting your enamel.

This article lists two methods of using peroxide including diluting it with water and swishing it around your mouth, or creating a paste out of peroxide and baking soda and applying it directly to your teeth.

Eat your Fruits and Veggies

An apple a day keeps the doctor away but it also might help with teeth whitening. A 2011 article from the American Association of Retired Persons’ noted that consuming apples can help prevent yellow stains.

The article listed other foods that can help keep teeth white, namely:

• Carrots
• Celery
• Cheese
• Oranges (up for debate elsewhere)
• Milk
• Pineapples
• Strawberries (when mashed up, rubbed on teeth, and left for five minutes)
• Yogurt

Most of these foods are believed to help whiten teeth because they increase the mouth’s production of saliva which helps wash away plaque and harmful bacteria.

Try Turmeric

This is a big one in the beauty influencer world. A few years ago a beauty blogger documented her experience while using natural teeth whitening agents including the vivid, yellow spice turmeric. Using her method, mix turmeric, coconut oil, and baking soda into a paste then apply to your teeth and let it sit for two minutes. After a week, she noticed a subtle difference in the brightness in her teeth, though there was a downside:

“I found myself cleaning (or, more accurately, scrubbing) my sink daily,” she wrote. “Turmeric is bright yellow and stains everything in sight.”

Is staining your shirts and sink worth the subtle difference? We’ll leave that up to you!

How to Prevent Stains

Prevention can be the best cure for yellow teeth. There are numerous prevention strategies including the simplest method: brushing after every meal. If you’re looking to step up your game, try rinsing with a disclosing solution from your dentist to discover your plaque quotient. This will show spots where teeth are likely to stain if brushing techniques doesn’t improve.

Brushing and Flossing

Brushing twice and flossing once daily can help keep teeth white as well as prevent other dangerous oral health issues. According to the ADA “brushing twice daily and flossing once a day are two critical behaviors to help prevent the risk of all oral infections.” As HealthLine notes, brushing and flossing regularly will help prevent harmful plaque from building up and causing yellowing. 

What about Whitening Toothpaste, Strips, or Trays?

Whitening toothpaste and strips can be purchased at your neighborhood drugstore and are a common solution. Reviews of these products suggest effective results. Though some dentists caution against using either. Why? The author of this article, Mark Burhenne, DDS, warns that strips specifically can damage your teeth and gums if used improperly. That whitening toothpaste? That’s a gimmick Burhenne states, as toothpaste can’t whiten teeth, toothpaste only cleans. 

“However, if you do want professional results,” he adds, “the safest and most effective way to whiten teeth, in my opinion, is through custom-built teeth whitening trays from your dentist.” He lists other natural options that are safe and effective including activated charcoal as well as the use of stain-removing electric toothbrushes. 

Avoid Anything Acid-Based

Some people recommend using lemon juice to whiten teeth but don’t try it! One dentist told Men’s Health he would never recommend this approach: “It’s very acidic and if not cleaned off properly it can pool on the tooth and erode the enamel, and that’s the last thing you want.” Healthy enamel is one of your best defenses against yellowing so we suggest you take this warning seriously. 

Don’t Put Salt on your Teeth

Who rubs sea salt on their teeth? Apparently, enough people that a health website had to caution people against it. We know you’d never try this (right?) but here’s why it’s not worth the risk: Rubbing sea salt (or other abrasive substances) onto your teeth can cause microscopic scratches and abrasions, leading to the buildup of bacteria and decay. See? You’re too smart for this dangerous hack. 

A Few Ways to Prevent Teeth Stains

Teeth whitening is like losing weight. Just as pounds can return after weight loss, if lifestyle changes aren’t maintained teeth can start to yellow once again. After you’ve whitened your teeth, here are a few methods that are helpful for preventing teeth from staining again. 

Make Dietary Changes

It’s rough, but some tasty foods are not going to help you on your quest for whiter teeth. Including your morning jolt and that delicious bolognese. Business Insider noted eight common offenders namely:

• Acidic or citrusy foods
• Coffee
• Curry and tomato sauce
• Sports and energy drinks
• Soda
• Sugary foods and sweets
• Tea
• Wine

Depending on how healthy and white your teeth are at the moment, it might be wise to eliminate, or at least cut down on some of these foods and beverages. Or as we talked about before, if you can’t avoid these foods, brush right after you’re finished.

Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

Aside from brushing and flossing daily, WebMD states that maintaining oral hygiene can include using antiseptic mouthwash and using whitening toothpaste (though only once or twice per week.) Fluoride, an included ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste, can also be helpful according to Medical News Today. Some municipalities also fluoridate their water supplies which can be controversial within some communities but is still a practice in some places throughout the U.S. 

Drink and Swish Water

Key to hydration and a strong, bright smile. According to the ADA, water is the best beverage for healthy teeth. A 2016 study found that a Canadian city had higher rates of tooth decay after the municipality stopped adding fluoride to the water five years prior, than another city with uninterrupted fluoridation. 

At a basic level, water can help you produce saliva which washes away bacteria and plaque to help keep your mouth clean. As a 2009 study in the British Dental Journal recommends, swishing with water after meals or consuming soda “for two to five minutes can be of help in removal of loosened food particles, dead cells and mucus from the oral cavity.” So get swishing as a natural teeth whitening remedy.

Get to the Dentist

Natural teeth whitening isn’t always the healthiest way to maintain your smile.Many people don’t look forward to going to the dentist, with some surveys quoting up to 62 percent of adults fear sitting in the chair. But cleanings every 3-6 months help prevent buildup of plaque and keep teeth looking their whitest. There’s a reason all those toothpaste ads talk about a “fresh from the dentist” feeling, but really, only the dentist can grant that bright shine.

The post Natural teeth whitening: Tricks for a whiter smile appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.