Chicago Dentist

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. Every day, minerals are added to and lost from a tooth’s enamel layer through two processes, demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost (demineralization) from a tooth’s enamel layer when acids - formed from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth - attack the enamel. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium and phosphate are redeposited (remineralization) to the enamel layer from the foods and waters consumed. Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel layer leads to tooth decay.

LINK

Dental flossing technique. The information found on this page provides instructions for what we would consider a good tooth flossing technique. It’s one that is thorough and one that should be able to keep you in good dental health, if practiced daily. We’d suggest that you study our description of this technique and then demonstrate your interpretation of our instructions to your dentist or dental hygienist. This way they can refine your flossing technique as needed, and also give you tips and pointers that may help you use dental floss more effectively in specific locations in your mouth.

LINK

Lumineers are porcelain veneers that fit on the surface of your existing teeth. They are constructed out of extraordinarily strong, contact-lens thin porcelain, and are a painless cosmetic solution to permanently stained, chipped, discolored, misaligned, or spaced teeth, transforming them into a naturally white, radiant smile.

LINK

A UB dentist specializing in prosthodontics says the best thing about providing patients with attractive and cost-effective dental restoration is the appreciation of those benefiting from his research and practice.Hyeongil Kim, who joined the dental school faculty as a clinical instructor in 2002, became an assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry last fall. He previously served as director of UB’s fixed and removable dental laboratories. “We treat many long-time denture wearers in the postgraduate and pre-doctoral clinics,” says Kim, noting that they often suffer from severe jawbone loss, which leads to loose dentures and sore oral tissues. “Just a little aesthetic and functional improvement makes a dramatic difference,” he says. “The patient’s satisfaction is the most rewarding part of being a clinician.” Buffalo is a particularly fascinating city from a prosthodontic perspective because the number of denture-wearers is well above the national average, Kim says, especially people who have worn them for many years. “Many people here have had dentures since they were young,” he says. “There was a time when dentures were given as graduation presents, and many patients are now suffering because their dentures are too loose—they’re using glue to keep them on.
UB Reporter: Kim works to lower cost of dentures

- The skulls of Cro-Magnon peoples indicate that tooth decay was in evidence some 25,000 years ago, and a Sumerian text from 5000 BC describes “tooth worms” as a cause of dental decay.
- The Chinese used acupuncture around 2700 BC to treat the pain associated with tooth decay.
- The Ebers papyrus from ancient Egypt, written between 1700 and 1500 BC, contains references to diseases of the teeth, and prescriptions for substances such as olive oil, dates and green lead to ease throbbing in the teeth.
- Aesculapius, a Greek physician who lived between 1300 and 1200 BC, is often credited with originating the concept of extracting diseased teeth.
- Between 500 and 300 BC, Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about ointments and red-hot wire being used to treat diseases of the teeth and gums.
They also discussed tooth extraction and the use of wires to hold broken jaws and loose teeth in place.
- A little later, physicians in Arabia wrote of scraping teeth and using the earliest form of toothbrush, a small stick softened at one end.
- In the Middle Ages in Europe, surgeons frequently acted as dentists for the wealthy, using metal rods as dental drills to remove plaque.
- From the Middle Ages to the early 1700s, barber-surgeons extracted teeth, did minor surgery, applied leeches to let blood and embalmed bodies.
- In the 15th century in Italy, gold leaf was frequently used to fill cavities.
- In the 16th century in France, soft lead was used as filling material.
- French surgeon Pierre Fauchard (1678-1761), author of The Surgeon Dentist, A Treatise on Teeth, is regarded as the father of modern dentistry.
- Dental practitioners who migrated to the North American colonies in the 18th century were mainly concerned with extracting diseased teeth and replacing them with dentures.
- Until the mid-19th century, dentures were custom-made by skilled artisans, who used gold, silver, and ivory for the job.
- In 1851, a process for moulding artificial porcelain teeth was developed, making the manufacture of dentures relatively inexpensive.
Highlights from battle against tooth decay

Everyone knows it is important to take good care of our teeth, but what about the family pet? According to News Now 10, poor dental hygiene can cause the same problems in cats and dogs as those that occur in humans, including gum disease, tooth loss, infections and bad breath. It recommends a number of measures people can take to keep their pet’s teeth healthy, starting with checking them regularly. The news provider also suggests giving cats and dogs hard food every day, as this can help prevent tartar build up. In addition, toys such as nubbie bones, dental rope and greenies can promote healthy gums and cut down on tartar. Most vets say pets’ teeth should be brushed at least twice a week, using special animal toothpaste, News Now 10 reported. Vets can clean a cat or dog’s teeth as dental hygienist would with humans during the pet’s annual checkup. There are a number of ways to tell if a cat or dog is suffering from poor dental health, according to i-pets.com, including red or sore gums, yellow teeth or excessively bad breath.
Dental care for all the family

Choosing a new toothbrush is nothing like it used to be. At one time you simply had the choice of differently shaped heads. Now you can choose everything from inexpensive standard toothbrushes to expensive models that are rechargeable. Which choice is best? Are electric toothbrushes really any better than standard models? Standard toothbrushes are very affordable. In fact, your dentist probably gives you a new one at every checkup. Are these toothbrushes as effective as electric models? The effectiveness of standard toothbrushes depends on several factors. First of all, the bristles need to be stiff, but not too stiff. Toothbrushes with soft bristles aren’t as effective. On the other hand, toothbrushes with bristles that are too stiff may cause damage to your gums. Of course, toothbrushes are only as effective as their user. You must learn to properly brush your teeth. This means not bearing done too hard, brushing in the correct motion, and brushing for the proper amount of time.
Dental Care Tips: Shelf Life of a Toothbrush

This spring, the makers of ARM & HAMMER® oral care products will launch two new offerings that address two of today’s hottest topics in dental care: one, the ongoing trend of teeth whitening and two, the strengthening of tooth enamel. ARM & HAMMER® Whitening Booster is a great new affordable and safe way to brighten your smile quickly and easily. The product – which uses hydrogen peroxide, the common active ingredient in many whitening kits – is designed to boost the whitening power of your favorite toothpaste. Just add the Whitening Booster to any toothpaste you use and brush your teeth as normal. Used as directed, it provides twice the whitening agent of the leading whitening strip and doesn’t leave a sticky mess. Baby boomers and people who care about keeping their teeth in tip top shape will want to try new ARM & HAMMER® Age Defying Toothpaste for stronger, healthier and whiter teeth. It’s the only fluoride toothpaste with patented Liquid Calcium® (a.k.a ACP – amorphous calcium phosphate) that strengthens tooth enamel while cleaning. It protects and rebuilds (or “re-mineralizes”) enamel and dentin.

HealthNewsDigest.com

The ADHA, American Dental Hygenists’ Association, recommends that you seek the advice of an oral health care professional before making any decisions concerning a tooth whitening procedure. Which tooth whitening options work the best for what conditions? Your dentist can help you determine this for your own circumstances. Here are some things to consider. What caused your teeth to have discolorations and stains? In some cases, too much fluoride or the antibiotic tetracycline can cause staining to occur. But more often than not, the stains on your teeth are caused by pigmented substances like black tea, coffee, tobacco, red wine, cola drinks; or by age.

Press Release - Tooth Whitening Options: Do They All Work?

When the sun is shining people feel good about themselves and this is why feel god industries like the teeth whitening industry will have a good summer as consumers are likely to spend money on themselves to make them feel and look great.
The teeth whitening industry has been growing over the last five years but in the UK when people are starting to think about the summer considerations like their clothes, beauty and even their cars will have a positive impact of many businesses.

2008 could be bright summer for Teeth Whitening

UCLA dental school Prof. Dr. Edmond Hewlett has several observations and suggestions that can help consumers decide which teeth-whitening process, if any, is for them:
1. All teeth-whitening methods that apply hydrogen peroxide to the teeth can be equally effective, but do-it-yourself procedures require persistence.
2. People with grayish teeth aren’t likely to benefit from teeth whitening.
3. Exposed roots of the teeth are unlikely to respond to teeth-whitening treatment.
4. Porcelain veneers and crowns aren’t affected by teeth-whitening substances, so people with them typically shouldn’t use whiteners. If they did, different parts of their teeth would have different shades.
5. Some patients experience uncomfortable side effects during the whitening processes. For them, the bleaching chemical can cause shooting pains or can make the teeth extremely sensitive to cold. Sensodyne toothpaste, which contains potassium nitrate as its active ingredient, can reduce sensitivity if a patient brushes with it before the teeth-whitening begins. Dentists can also use different concentrations of peroxide, depending on the patient’s sensitivity.
6. Don’t hesitate to ask your dentist for advice on which do-it-yourself products to use. “The dentist knows your mouth and understands price issues.”
7. Adhesive strips are more effective than brush-on products and rinses.
8. Tooth-whitening toothpastes are designed to remove surface stains, not to bleach the underlying tissue.
9. The American Dental Association has no certification process for teeth-whitening products, but it’s working on one. The Food and Drug Administration is also studying the issue.

Money: How to decide about teeth whitening | teeth, whitening, use, products, different - OCRegister.com

Cosmetic Dentistry“Cosmetic dentistry” is a phrase which covers a variety of dental procedures to enhance a person’s smile, including: veneers, whitening, accelerated orthodontics and porcelain crowns. Since it a little away from the mainstream dentistry and mainly for cosmetic purposes, this is the reason it’s a different branch is dentistry. Thanks to recent advancements in the field, it is a booming biz. According to a poll by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7% of those queried felt a good smile was an important social asset.
Cosmetic Dentistry

In the February 2008 Seattle Magazine’s “THE BEAUTY ISSUE”, Dr Cynthia Pauley of Brookside Dental in Bellevue, Washington, was one of two experts in the Cosmetic Dentistry field asked to discuss, “More Natural-Looking Veneers” and “Gentler Whitening”. Veneers which are the very thin laminates that are used primarily on anterior teeth to cover stained, misshapen, chipped and broken teeth. They can be used to create beautiful smiles for people that have less than perfect teeth. Today’s veneers, which cover the front and biting surface of the teeth, have a natural translucency that did not exist with the first veneers used. The techniques for using them are improving, along with the materials, so that less natural tooth structure needs to be removed to accommodate the veneers. Between the existing technology and materials available today, veneers can be in place for a new smile within two visits to Cosmetic Dentist’s office.
Brookside Dental’s Blog » “What The Pros Say” about What’s New in Cosmetic Dentistry

The “no pain, no gain” mindset has always been associated with beauty. From sweating away the hours at the gym to going under the knife for a nip and tuck, American culture has accepted the harsh reality that “beauty is pain.” That old cliché rings true especially when applied to dentistry–stories detailing how dentists shave teeth down to a nub in order to apply veneers and how they are seemingly oblivious to their patients’ discomfort have come to define the industry. Dental phobias have flourished under these circumstances with estimates revealing that 30 to 40 million people avoid seeing a dentist because of anxiety and fear. A survey reviewed by the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine found that the majority of people who haven’t visited a dentist for 12 months list fear of pain as the main factor. Since the choice to undergo cosmetic dental procedures stems entirely from the patient, fear of pain is even more likely to deter someone from taking advantage of cosmetic dentistry. According to New York City prosthodontist Dr. Nargiz Schmidt, there is a clear need for truly pain-free smile makeover services. “The concept of pain-free cosmetic dentistry is often taken with a grain of salt. Most patients trust that “pain-free” or “virtually painless” usually means they will be experiencing pain,” said Dr. Schmidt. “We wanted to change that for our patients, and have introduced several services that eliminate pain completely.” Dr. Schmidt and partner Dr. Joseph Zelig are introducing Pain-Free Smile Makeovers at their Manhattan practice Smile in the City by utilizing Waterlase technology and IV sedation to guarantee patients will have a comfortable treatment.
Dental Economics-Dental News - Don’t just grin and bear it!

Bacteria in the mouth have been linked to heart disease, premature birth, uterine infection, diabetes, and now dementia as well. There are possibly many more ailments that have not yet been linked to oral bacteria, but one thing is for sure, bacteria in the mouth is responsible for a significant portion of disease in our body. With the news that the brain may also be negatively affected by oral bacteria and the destructive immune response that the body mounts in response to it, preventing the proliferation of this bacteria should become a primary objective for all of us.

Press Release Distribution from 24-7PressRelease.com

“Emily,” a mother of six children and a victim of years of abuse by her domestic partner, had a dream.  “I wish I could have a picture taken with my children where I am not ashamed to smile,” said Emily, whose name has been changed for her protection.  But having a smile she could be proud of wasn’t a possibility — until she learned of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s (AACD) Give Back A Smile Program for victims of domestic abuse.  With the help of Woodbury dentist Dr. Ned A. Nippoldt of the Centre for Distinctive Dentistry, oral surgeon Dr. Michael Downie of Twin Cities Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and donations of time and materials from Aurum Ceramics Dental Laboratories and Nobel Biocare implant company, Emily is no longer ashamed to smile for the cameras.

Woodbury Bulletin | Restoring the smile on her face