Livermore Dentist - 20+ Toothache Remedies For Pain Relief - Smiles by Design in Livermore

If there’s one list to keep handy–this is the one. It never fails that a major toothache hits when it’s late at night and your dentist’s office is closed. Although only a doctor can cure the source of the problem, this list of treatments & pain relief remedies should get you through the night until you can visit the dentist.

Important: If your tooth aches, there is a reason for it and it’s best to have it taken care of by a professional as soon as possible instead of just treating it at home and hoping the underlying issue will go away on its own. If it’s infected (gum area is swollen), don’t delay in getting professional medical care.

Directions for use: Apply directly to both the problem tooth and surrounding sore gums until unless otherwise directed.

For items that direct you to chew or for liquids that are to be swooshed around inside mouth, do so with the sore tooth and focus on surrounding area.

Do not swallow liquids, spit out when done.

1. Salt Water: Mix a heaping spoonful of salt in a small glass of lukewarm to warm water, swoosh around inside your mouth for as long as you can, spit out. Repeat a couple times.
2. Cloves: This is an old timer’s remedy, rest a clove against the sore area until pain goes away. You can also use a drop or two of clove oil (too much can be toxic) or make a thick paste of ground cloves and water or ground cloves and olive oil.
3. Alcohol: Swoosh a bit of whiskey, scotch, brandy or vodka. A strong mouthwash that contains alcohol will do the trick too.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide: Swoosh a bit of hydrogen peroxide. If the taste is too horrid for you, try diluting with a bit of water.
5. Vanilla Extract: Saturate a cotton ball with vanilla and hold in place. Can also use a cotton swab dipped in extract.
6. Almond Extract: Same method of treatment as with Vanilla (above).
7. Peppermint Extract: Same as with Vanilla (above).
8. Lemon Extract: Same as with Vanilla (above).
9. Tea Tree Oil: Just a drop or two will do the trick. You can also add some to a cotton swab and hold in place or add a few drops of tea tree oil to a small glass of lukewarm to warm water and swoosh this around.
10. Oil Of Oregano: Mix a few drops with a bit of olive oil, then saturate a cotton ball with mixture. Can replace the olive oil with lukewarm water if preferred.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar: Soak a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar (ACV) and hold it in place. Can also try regular household vinegar.
12. Ginger Root: Take a fresh piece of ginger and chew it a bit.
13. Garlic: Take a clove of garlic, smash it and apply (settle it inside cheek). You can also mash some garlic with salt.
14. Peppermint Leaves: Chew on fresh peppermint leaves. You can also dried leaves, just hold them in place.
15. Potato: Cut a fresh piece of potato (raw, skin off) and hold in place. Can also pound a piece of raw potato, mix in a bit of salt and use the mash.
16. Lime: Cut a slice or wedge of lime and apply, bite into it if you can to release some of the juice. If you’re sensitive to cold, first bring the lime to room temperature if it was refrigerated.
17. Onion: Slice a piece of fresh onion and hold it inside your mouth. The onion needs to be freshly cut (so it provides a bit of onion juice).
18. Cucumber: Slice a fresh piece of cucumber and hold it over the sore area. If refrigerated, you might want to bring the cucumber to room temperature before using (if sensitive to cold) otherwise a cool piece can be soothing. You can also mash a piece with a bit of salt.
19. Plantain: Chew up a fresh plantain leaf. If you’re too sore to chew, use the other side of your mouth. Once the leaf is macerated a bit apply it to the problem area and hold in place.
20. Cayenne Pepper: Make a paste with cayenne pepper and water.
21. Black Pepper: You can use this full strength or make a mix of pepper and salt.
22. Baking Soda: Take a cotton swab and moisten it with a bit of water, dip it in baking soda (coat the swab really well with baking soda) then apply. You can also make a mouth rinse by mixing a heaping spoonful of baking soda in a small glass of lukewarm to warm water, dissolve the soda then swish the mixture in your mouth.
23. Tea: Make a fresh cup of tea then take the used tea bag (still warm) and stick it in your mouth. Careful not to tear the bag. The tannins that are naturally in tea leaves can help numb things.
24. Ice Pack: Cover an ice pack with a face cloth or towel then hold over your cheek where the problem is. This will help numb things. If that doesn’t work, try the opposite–a hot compress (not too hot that it burns your skin).

Tips

• If the pain is unbearable and there’s no dentist available, call your local hospital’s emergency room–chances are they have a dentist on call that can treat you (for a fee).
• Try gently brushing your teeth and flossing–this might bring some relief.
• If the side of your face is in severe pain and it feels like you’re going to lose your mind (I’ve been there, done that)–it could be a sinus infection or an allergy that affects your sinuses rather than a problem tooth (even though it definitely feels like it). Try a Herbal Decongestant Steam to break up sinuses, this might help relieve things until you get to a doctor. Chances are a prescription for penicillin is what you’ll need to clear up the sinus infection.

source: http://tipnut.com/toothache-remedies/

 

Pleasanton Dentist - Should you floss? A cost-benefit analysis - Smiles by Design in Livermore

If you are like most people I know, you don’t feel you floss enough. Each time you go to the dentist you get scolded for not flossing at least once a day. You promise to be a good patient but after a week or two go back to flossing every few days, if that. The last time I went to the dentist however I had two cavities and am supposedly at risk of more. The unpleasantness and cost of the experience got me thinking seriously about flossing every day, and for the last six months I have stuck to it.

But maybe I was right when I couldn’t be bothered flossing. What evidence do I actually have that flossing regularly is worth it, given the frequent if small inconvenience it involves?

Whether or not you floss on any particular occasion is a minor decision, but whether you do so over your whole life is a significant one. The cost of dealing with fillings, root canal surgery and decaying teeth can easily run into hundreds or thousands of dollars a year – tens of thousands over a lifetime. On the other hand, if you floss every day for the next sixty years, taking two minutes each time, that would come to around 730 hours, or some 90 eight-hour work days spent flossing! It’s tempting to follow instinct, dentist advice or habit but I don’t see why any of those would be reliable guides in this case. Given the substantial costs and benefits at stake it’s worth looking at the evidence and making a considered decision.

For some reason though it looks like I’m one of the first people to want a cost benefit analysis of flossing. Google and Google Scholar turned up nothing. Economist Bryan Caplan wanted to produce one but didn’t get very far. Tim Harford laughed at the idea. An hour’s search couldn’t even provide me any figures on how much flossing could be expected to reduce the appearance of cavities! There must be research out there but it isn’t easy to find.

But uncertainty is no reason not to run some numbers. Guesses about the individual parts of the overall equation will be better than guesses about the final result. If we put in some reasonable numbers and end up with a strong conclusion (that is floss a lot, or don’t floss at all) we will some guidance as to what we should do.

Here are some spreadsheet results

• Annual discount rate (0%)
• Age (25)
• Life expectancy (85)
• Financial and non-financial cost of getting a filling ($300)
• Average lifetime of a filling (8 years) [1]
• Unpleasantness of having a filling ($50 per filling per year)
• Value of time ($20 per hour)
• Attention-adjusted time taken to floss (1 minute)
• Unpleasantness of flossing ($0.20 each time)
• Cost of 50m of floss ($4)along with guesses about
• frequency of new cavities, depending on the frequency of flossing

to produce a dollar ‘loss’ from the costs you incur both due to flossing and dental work. You can try various combinations, and see which minimises your loss.

Based on past experience, I have guessed that with occasional flossing I will get a new cavity roughly each four years. This will probably vary a lot between people; some teeth stay good no matter how much people abuse them. If I floss daily though, I expect to get a new cavity only each 8 years. With these numbers I come out about $15,000 ahead over my lifetime from flossing daily relative to flossing once a week. Sounds like a good idea!

Unfortunately the result is not very robust. If flossing takes two minutes of my undivided attention, and a high wage makes you value each hour at $40 rather than $20, then flossing looks like a bad idea. Of course, with a higher income you might also be willing to pay more to have nicer teeth and not endure fillings. The other key determinant of the outcome is age. The older someone gets the less valuable continued flossing is as they will not have to deal with any additional damage to their teeth for as long.

Overall however it looks like someone who is young and has teeth that are vulnerable to decay should probably floss regularly.

source: http://robertwiblin.com/2012/04/19/should-you-floss-a-cost-benefit-analysis/

by Robert Wiblin

 

Tracy Dentist - LIVING WITH AND CARING FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS - Smiles By Design in Livermore

DENTAL IMPLANTS ARE DESIGNED TO CLOSELY REPLICATED BOTH THE FUNCTION AND AESTHETICS OF NATURAL TEETH… Unlike some dental restorations that require frequent removal and cleaning, dental implants can be used and cared for like normal teeth. As opposed to tooth replacement options that simply fit over the gums, dental implants are attached to the jawbone to provide much needed chewing support and important stimulation to the jawbone and gums. This stimulation, which is usually provided by the tooth root, ensures that bone loss and gum recession—and consequently face shape alteration—does not occur.

While it is still important to avoid hard foods such as nut shells or ice that might damage natural teeth, you can feel confident chewing just about anything with your dental implants, knowing that they are anchored for excellent support.

AFTER SURGERY CARE

After dental implants are in place, it takes a period of time for them to anchor into your jawbone. The healing process takes time, and it is not uncommon to experience tenderness or swelling for a few days. The American Dental Association suggests a diet of soft foods, cold foods, and warm soup, in addition to any pain medication that your dental implants dentist prescribes.

LIFELONG CARE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS

The most important way to care for and preserve your dental implants is to maintain excellent oral hygiene after the procedure. Without flossing and brushing daily, infections can easily develop around the dental implants. Consistent dental hygiene is also an essential part of the fusing process between dental implants and the jawbone. A lack of dental hygiene often results in implant failure. When patients floss, brush, and schedule regular dental appointments, dental implants can last a lifetime without needing to be replaced.

source: http://crowncouncil.com/why-visit-a-dental-implants-dentist/living-with-and-caring-for-dental-implants

 

 

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Livermore Dentist - 5 Mistakes That Put Your Mouth at Risk for Cavities - Smiles by Design in Livermore

Why you should reconsider bottled water, overzealous brushing, and these other harmful habits

More than 1 in 5 Americans has untreated cavities, finds a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And candy-loving kids aren't the only ones suffering: People ages 20 to 44 have the highest rate of cavities, compared to the younger set. So what are we doing wrong? Quite a bit. Besides working on the obvious—brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist regularly—you should make changes in these five areas.

Mistake: You exclusively drink bottled water. Yeah, we know. You thought your plastic habit was super healthy. And it's way better than having sugary and acidic drinks. But if your community has a fluoridated water supply and you never drink from it, you could be doing yourself a disservice, says David Dowsett, a family dentist based in Portland, Ore. That's because fluoride, a mineral that can prevent and even reverse tooth decay, may not be found in all bottled water, or bottled water may contain only miniscule amounts, according to the CDC. That said, 73.9 percent of the current U.S. population has access to regular water that has enough fluoride to protect teeth. "Fluoride is not just for kids," says R. H. Price, a dentist and American Dental Association (ADA) spokesperson in Newton, Mass., so make sure your toothpaste also contains fluoride. Then try tap water: You may like it.

Mistake: You drink sodas and sports drinks—and, yes, diet versions count. These beloved beverages aren't great for our general health, and they're "probably the worst thing" for our dental health, says Dowsett. Blame sugars and citric acid, a preservative that can erode tooth enamel. Enamel, a thin, protective covering, can never be replaced once damaged or lost. In fact, a new study found that sports and energy drinks in particular are causing irreversible damage to the teeth of U.S. teens and young adults due to high acidity levels. (Although diet sodas aren't sugary, they are still acidic.) "The older we get, the more susceptible we are to wear and tear," Price says. The bottom line: Step away from that soda. Water is the best option.

 

Mistake: You snack too often. Chewing stimulates salivary flow, which then helps neutralize acid and rinse away food, the ADA reports. But if you're only chewing for a short time (that is: snacking), you don't produce as much saliva, which can leave your teeth vulnerable to acids. (Bacteria in plaque produce acids that damage enamel, but remember that acids are also in foods and beverages.) In general, "the less saliva you have, the more tooth decay you're going to have," says Price. Plus, it can take an hour for the mouth to neutralize acids, and your teeth don't have time to recover if you're constantly nibbling.

So limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks to mealtimes, if you have them at all. You should be especially vigilant if you're taking medications that result in dry mouth, such as those that treat depression and high blood pressure, Price says. And avoid sugary hard candies and taffies, which can linger on teeth. If you crave candy or gum, choose sugar-free versions that contain xylitol, which can help prevent tooth decay. If you have dry mouth, chewing that gum can relieve symptoms. Or have a bit of chocolate, since you can more easily rinse away remnants with water, Dowsett says. (That's right, chocolate.)

 

Mistake: You brush too soon. We're all for eagerness about good health, but brushing your teeth right after eating or drinking acidic foods could hurt you. That's because if you brush before letting your saliva do its job, you're rubbing against already weakened enamel. So extend your conversation after dinner. Or go for a walk to pass the time. Just make sure to wait a half hour to an hour to brush after meals.

Mistake: You're brushing badly. When you're finally ready to clean your teeth, use a soft-bristle brush. But don't quickly wiggle your toothbrush around and move on: To reduce plaque and have fresh breath, clean all surfaces of your chompers. That includes the inner areas, the rear surfaces of your back teeth, and the spaces in between. (You'll need floss for that last part.) Hey, cleaning your teeth takes just minutes a day. Trust us, you can spare the time.

source: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2012/06/11/5-mistakes-that-put-your-mouth-at-risk-for-cavities

by Leslie Quander Wooldridge

 

http://www.smilesbydesigninlivermore.com

Tracy Dentist - 5 Reasons to Brush Before Bed - Smiles by Design in Livermore

While there are numerous reasons to brush your teeth twice a day, here’s a quick rundown of the Top 5 reasons to brush your teeth before you hit the hay.

5. Bacteria Builds Up
Over the course of a day, lots of things go into your mouth. Most of it is the food and beverages you consume as part of your day and we all know about that. But what many people don’t consider is all the other times you put things into your mouth. Some may chew on the ends of pens while others might hold a paper or binder clip between their teeth as they group papers together at the office. In fact, many of us use our teeth as tools, even though we know we shouldn’t. Opening a bag of chips with the help of your teeth is a major no-no, but one most of us commit on a fairly regular basis. All of these minor things may not sound like much, but when you consider that pen may have been used by someone with a cold, or the fact that those paperclips are definitely not sterile, this means more and more bacteria has found its way into your mouth. So, at the end of the day, take the time to clear it all out.

4. Avoid Plaque Build-up
Plaque is a yellow film which builds up between teeth and along the gum line. But plaque needs time to do its damage and by brushing at the end of the day you’re cutting its chances in half. Brushing away food and bacterial debris leaves plaque out in the cold and out of your mouth.

3. Because A Sleeping Mouth is a Dry Mouth
As you sleep at night your mouth naturally produces much less saliva than it does during the day. Saliva acts as a natural barrier against tooth decay as it works to dislodge food and other debris from between your teeth as you’re speaking, drinking or simply working. However, at night, saliva production is almost entirely shut down which is why so many people wake up thirsty in the morning. Since your mouth will not be generating saliva to help with keeping your teeth cleaner, a late night brushing will help to protect your teeth from decay and cavity formation.

2. Protecting Your Gums
When you brush your teeth, you’re doing more than simply keeping your teeth clean and bright. You’re also removing debris and bacteria from along your gum line. If you remove this protection by not brushing your teeth before bed, that same bacteria that will encourage tooth decay will also encourage gum disease. Gum disease is a very serious problem when it comes to oral care and, left unchecked, it can lead to periodontal disease, abscessed teeth and your teeth being less anchored into place and actually shifting in your mouth. Further down the road it can lead to total tooth loss.

1. Wake Up Fresher
If you’ve ever gone to bed without brushing your teeth, then you know how rotten your mouth can feel the next morning. Everything you ate, drank or came into contact with the day before has now had a full 24 hours to fester, spread and grow. Brushing right before bed is a great way to help mitigate that feeling of Morning Mouth. Take the time before bed and wake up the next day without feeling like your tongue is covered in sawdust .. or worse.

source: http://www.teethcenter.com/5-reasons-to-brush-before-bed/
by Teeth Center Staff

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Pleasanton Dentist - What Type of Toothpast is Best - Smiles by Design in Livermore

The World Health Organization defines health as the complete state of physical, mental and social well being, and not merely the absence of disease. If you want to declare yourself healthy, you have to make sure that your oral health is satisfactory and to be able to maintain your dental health, you will need to brushing, flossing and rinsing regularly. The hygiene measures you take will make a big difference in your health, and your choice of toothpaste is a key piece of this process.

There are different toothpastes that on the market and when you begin to shop for your toothpaste, consider the following information:

• Fluoride Toothpaste: The most important toothpaste ingredient is fluoride and there are specialized toothpastes where you can get enough supply of the needed fluoride for their teeth. The use of fluoride toothpastes will help decrease the rate of tooth decay in a patient because the fluoride released from the toothpaste helps to strengthen the enamel, making it less susceptible to acid damage and reversing any damage that may already be present.
• Sensitive Toothpaste: The teeth are basically a layer of hard tissues and these tissues are made up of pores. When the pores are too wide or they have been opened, they offer a direct communication to the pulp, causing tooth sensitivity. A sensitive toothpaste has strontium chloride and potassium nitrate in its ingredients, which will clog the opened pores and deal with the pain symptoms, effectively.
• Gum-Control Toothpaste: Plaque or tartar is another big problem in the mouth. When plaque is allowed to accumulate, it can cause big problems for the patient by causing gum disease. If a patient is dealing with gum disease, a gum-control toothpaste would perfectly address the condition because it is composed of ingredients such as zinc citrate, pyrophosphates and so forth.
• Whitening Toothpaste: Everyone wants to have white teeth and when your teeth are more yellow, you can use a whitening toothpaste that makes use of a combination of abrasives, baking soda and weak peroxide to whiten and lighten the shade of the enamel.

Choosing the right toothpaste is very important. You will need to be precise with your choice because there are specific conditions that will call for exact measures. It’s recommended that you match your toothpaste type to the condition of your mouth. Your oral health will depend on it.

source: http://www.teethcenter.com/what-type-of-toothpaste-is-best/
by Teeth Center Staff

http://www.smilesbydesigninlivermore.com

Livermore Dentist - Why Do Children have bad breath? - Smiles by Design in Livermore

Often we assume that because children are so young, they do not suffer from the same dental ailments that adults do. In reality, whether baby teeth or permanent teeth, children are still susceptible to the same dental problems that adults are. Because of this, a child with bad breath is a very real possibility. In order to understand what would cause a child to have bad breath, we need to examine what causes bad breath.

Bad Breath Causes
The condition of having bad breath is more formally called halitosis. This condition is a result of poor oral hygiene and can indicate that there are problems, such as cavities, in the mouth. In addition to poor oral hygiene, bad breath can be created or made worse by the types of foods that are ingested, especially if these foods are not followed up by a thorough teeth cleaning. This is especially true in children who tend to dedicate less time to brushing their teeth after meals and snacks.

Bad Breath and Oral Hygiene
Bad breath results when there is a buildup of old food in the teeth. In this case, the food particles can be brushed away to leave the teeth clean, and thus freshen the breath. When brushing, it is important to also brush the tongue where food residue, and bacteria, can remain, thus affecting the smell of the breath.
When these food particles are left on the teeth (for example, when the teeth are not brushed after eating), these particles can attract bacteria that lives to feed on the particles left on the teeth. This bacteria then cause plaque buildup, a mixture of food particles and bacteria. If left untreated, plaque works to eat away at the enamel of the teeth, causing tooth decay. Think of the decay of leaves or other vegetation, and imagine the smell. Over time, the decay starts to take on a very bad smell. The same happens in the mouth, thus causing bad breath. So, in order to treat the bad breath, the tooth decay needs to be cleaned up and any holes in the teeth need to be sealed.

Foods that Contribute to Bad Breath
Any and all foods have the potential to cause bad breath, especially when they are not rinsed from the mouth after consumption. However, even when teeth and tongue are brushed, bad breath can still result from certain foods. This is because food is broken down in the mouth (through chewing and saliva), then digested and absorbed into the bloodstream. Blood travels through the lungs, where it carries oxygen to vital areas of the body, which also means that you’re breathing out air from your lungs that has come in contact with this digested food. Thus, the smell comes out through your breath. This is true even if mouthwash, breath mints, brushing, and flossing are used. Very prominently smelling foods, like garlic and onion are often huge offenders of long-lasting bad breath because they come so prominently through the blood stream and into the air we exhale. Children, like adults are susceptible to both this, and poor oral hygiene bad breath.

source: http://www.teethcenter.com/why-do-children-have-bad-breath/
by BY TEETH CENTER STAFF

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