Not everyone is born with straight, perfect teeth. Actually, I don't think anyone is.

 

Some of us suffer from noticeable gaps between our teeth (diastemas), crooked teeth or underbites. This is when we need the assistance of an orthodontist to help us achieve a great smile.

 

Crooked teeth are a type of malocclusion (aka bite problem). Crooked teeth can sometimes be hereditary or caused by a small jaw, which can then lead to overcrowding of the teeth. Excessive thumb-sucking can also affect the alignment of teeth. Missing teeth can also cause teeth to shift or rotate. Left untreated, malocclusions can cause other dental problems like tooth decay and speech problems.

 

A good friend of mine has an underbite that causes problems with his speech. Due to this condition, he has endured severe teasing and mocking. He was not able to correct the problem when he was younger because of finances. Now that he is older, he is trying to fix it as best he can with braces.

 

As I was discussing my blog with a coworker, she told me about a best friend of hers who is in her late 40s and is getting braces for a second time. Due to similar circumstances as my friend, she was not able to get braces as a child due to finances and so is trying to do something as an adult which can be a bit harder.

 

This shows me that it is never too late to achieve a great smile because it is important. Your smile is something people see right away … so when it doesn’t look the way you want it to, it can affect the way you feel.

 

There are many ways an orthodontist can fix a malocclusion; advances in technology have come a long way. There are different forms of braces that can help, like Invisalign®, which are unnoticeable!

 

So get that orthodontic evaluation and see what you can do to get your great smile :) It's never too late!

We hear so much about dental care for children: brush and floss to prevent tooth decay, get dental sealants, have fluoride treatments, etc. Yes, it is very important to be mindful of dental care for our children, but it is just as important for older adults as well.

Aging puts us at higher risk for dental issues. Our enamel can get worn away, our gums can recede and we can lose jawbone mass. There can be several reasons for this in senior citizens. These factors can make it a slippery slope to tooth decay. The longer we have our natural teeth, the more they are exposed to potential problems.

There are ways for seniors to help keep their natural teeth cavity-free. Among them are eating a diet with enough calcium, using a fluoride toothpaste and finding healthy ways to fight the dry mouth that can be caused by certain medications. A dry mouth can make you more susceptible to tooth decay.

These particular needs for senior citizens make dental care that much more important.  However, as we all know, regular dental visits are important for everyone...

Xylitol continues to prove itself to be a remarkable substance with regard to oral hygiene. A study done by the University of Washington showed that the use of a topical xylitol syrup placed on the erupting teeth of infants can reduce cavities by as much as 70%.

Most people don't realize how much young children's teeth are at risk for decay.  It is also considered insignificant because the teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth.  But not taking care of primary teeth can lead to serious problems when the next set of teeth come in, so it's important to take care of children's teeth.  This discovery could make a real difference for children, especially when combined with fluoridated water.

It seems that xylitol reduces the amount of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth, and also inhibits their ability to produce damage-causing lactic acid, while leaving good bacteria alone.  As we continue to overuse antibiotics around the world, and bacteria become more drug restistant, this is a unique and very positive natural treatment.

Xylitol has already been demonstrated to reduce decay in adults who chew gum sweetened with it.  All in all, it seems to be a highly beneficial substance, and a rare bit of good news when it comes to tooth decay.  I myself chew Trident on a regular basis.

A Florida woman has been booked on felony charges that she neglected her daughter's teeth. The daughter, whose age was not mentioned, suffered from baby bottle tooth decay.  The little girl had tooth pain for a year before her mother, 19, sought help from a dentist.

The woman was told that Medicaid would not pay for the treatment. She did not seek help from the girl's father, nor did she try to find a dentist that would accept Medicaid as payment.

Many people assume that baby teeth are not that important since they will be replaced by adult teeth.  This is not the case. The health of baby teeth is directly related to the adult teeth, as well as to overall general health. Good dental care could have prevented this boy's death.

Let's take care of our teeth!

Many people put "exercise"at the top of the list of New Year's Resolutions. It is great to take care of your body and improve your health.  However, don't let the pursuit of the perfect physique hurt your dental health.  Be careful what you drink when you exercise.

Halloween candy. Those words go together like, well, like tooth and decay. Many parents see the kids' Halloween candy haul and start imagining numbers of cavities. Tis the season...  We also need to be mindful of ways to prevent cavities on all of the non-candy-holiday days of the year as well.