The eyes are considered the windows to the soul. Similarly the teeth, rather the mouth, can be the doorway of diseases, literally and figuratively. So paying proper attention to regular teeth cleaning, filling the gaps between them, undergoing tests like X-rays, dental exams and surgeries are vital not only for oral health but also for the overall wellness of the whole body. However, more than 30% of adults in the country do not seek even yearly dental checkups, leave alone the bi-yearly ones advised by dentists. More than one-third of them have either lost their teeth or suffer from gum disease and tooth decay. This is particularly significant with people in the low-income group and those who lack awareness about the need for proper dental care for a healthy life. Also, while prevention is a better option compared to the treatment of dental diseases, there are tons of people who are unable to afford the cost of good dental care. Dental insurance plans are aplenty no doubt, but millions of Americans still do not have the financial means to pay for the exorbitant cost of maintaining good oral health and hygiene. Read on to know about the interesting connection between oral wellness and a healthy body:

The natural teeth get their color by the scattering and reflection of light off the enamel, which is the outermost layer of a tooth, in combination with the color of the dentin that lies under it. The genetic factor impacts the smoothness and thickness of the enamel. The thinner the enamel, the more will the color of the dentin shows through. Every day, a thin coating forms on the enamel and picks up stains which are then held in by the pores that are present on the enamel. Aging also results in darkening of teeth since the enamel gets thinner and the dentin becomes darker as one ages. There are two main types of whitening procedures available today: vital and non-vital. Let us study both of these methods in detail to understand them better. 1. Vital whitening Being the most common type of teeth whitening technique, this process involves the use of a gel which contains some form of hydrogen peroxide. This gel is directly applied onto the tooth surface. Whitening can be done both in a dentist’s office or at home. However, in-office whitening allows your dentist to make use of a more powerful whitening gel and a specialized light or laser technique that speeds up the process.

When it comes to caring about your mouth, it isn’t always about how bright your teeth are or how vibrant your smile looks. Even if you have cavity-free teeth, it simply says nothing about how healthy your gums are. Since most gum diseases are usually painless, a number of people suffering from them don’t even realize that they have one. Proper gum care can help in keeping your gums healthy. Let’s get to know about a few measures to protect your gums. Flossing Flossing, at least once a day, helps in removing the plaque and tartar that is usually beyond the reach of your toothbrush. It doesn’t matter during what time of the day you floss, but simply doing it is essential. Get dental cleanings done regularly Dentists can usually detect gum disease symptoms if you see them regularly, which helps in treating them even before the disease actually begins to appear or become a serious issue. Professional cleaning is the only way to eradicate tartar and plaque completely from the root, which is not possible with the use of a toothbrush. Quit smoking Smoking is strongly associated with the onset of a number of oral health diseases, gum disease being one among them.

Also known as aphthous ulcers, canker sores are small, often painful lesions that develop on the inner soft tissues of the mouth or at the base of the gum. Because they develop inside the mouth, they often make eating and talking quite difficult. In most cases, these sores heal on their own, within a couple of weeks. But in case your canker sores are unusually large and painful or do not seem to get better even after a few weeks, it is best to consult a good dentist. Causes of canker sores The exact cause of canker sores is not very clear. However, according to the researchers, there are a number of risk factors that can contribute to the development of these sores. Some of the most common ones include: Any minor injury to your mouth caused by dental work, extremely hard brushing, accidental cheek bite or sports casualty. Use of toothpaste or mouth rinse containing sodium lauryl sulfate Sensitivity or allergy to foods such as eggs, cheese, nuts, chocolate, coffee, and acidic or spicy food Hormonal changes during menstruation Emotional stress Deficiency of zinc, iron, folic acid or vitamin B-12 in the body In addition to the above-mentioned causes, canker sores may also develop because of certain diseases, such as:

Crowded teeth, or more specifically malocclusion of the teeth as it is known in medical terms is the misalignment problem in teeth that can cause oral complications. Though malocclusion is hereditary, which means the problem is passed on to the next generations through the genes, other probable causes are also responsible for such misalignments – some of which have been discussed below: Cleft lip Cleft lip is a birth defect that affects the upper lip of the mouth and as a result, affects the face and appearance of an individual, which compels the parents to take their babies to a dentist. Drugs, toxins, and viruses are a common cause of cleft lip along with the genes that are passed down to the next generation. Cleft lip can lead to crowded teeth as the balance between the upper and the lower jaws get disturbed. As a result new teeth do not get enough space to grow, thus overlapping with other teeth and causing the overcrowding of teeth. Childhood habits Habits that are common in children like tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, using of pacifiers beyond the age of three, and the prolonged use of feeding bottles in babies are the contributing factors of crowded teeth.

Oral cancer is one of the most common types of cancer which affect a significant number of people. Doctors need to follow certain protocols to detect oral cancer. One should go for oral cancer examinations whenever their dentist recommends them to do. The doctors might go for a thorough check-up of the symptoms before suggesting any invasive tests. Given below are some tests that one can expect when they visit a doctor for an oral cancer examination: Physical exam The physical exam is the first step that doctors will follow to detect oral cancer. The doctor feels the patient’s head, cheek, and jaws to detect the presence of any lumps. They also check if any nodules are present in the oral cavity. Most signs of oral cancer are painful, unlike other forms of cancers. The doctor also examines the throat and asks if the patient experiences any pain. Visual exam Visual exams are done by experienced doctors who have dealt with cases of oral cancer. The doctor will examine the regions of the cheek, neck, and the oral cavity. Sometimes, they may ask the patient to remove all dental attachments before the oral cancer examination. The doctor looks for asymmetries, color patches, and swelling in the mouth as it might be cancerous.

Dental flosses are available in the market in abundance as it is one of the most credible ways to keep up good oral health. It is available in different types that are beneficial for different types of teeth. You should consider certain steps while choosing suitable dental floss and consult your dentist if you have further questions. The basic steps are given below for your perusal: Deciding the floss type The needs of dental flosses are variable to a large extent. Flossing your teeth with the right type of floss is crucial. Your dentist can always help in recommending the best floss type for you. Choosing the wrong floss might lead you to various gum diseases. You should choose thick floss if you have large gaps between your teeth. Dental tapes can also work for you if you deal with large gaps. It enables you to easily floss out all the parts of the tooth. Thin flosses work best for the people having little space between the teeth. It can get in easily and clean the dirt from the most inaccessible notches of the teeth. You can determine the space between your teeth just by looking at or checking by inserting floss.

Dental sealants shield the permanent premolars and molars from acids and plaque being penetrated through the fissures and cavities of the teeth. Though flossing and brushing occasionally eliminate the bacteria and acids it cannot do it entirely. This is because there are some stubborn places and grooves that are so narrow that the bristles of the brush cannot even reach there to clean them. These are the places that are more prone to plaque and bacteria. Dental sealing seals these places and prevents bacteria from accumulating to those places. But are these safe? To know more read below. Here are some of the obvious pros and cons of dental coatings discussed, have a look at these. PROS Easy and painless The foremost advantage of dental sealants is that it is a very easy process that only takes a few minutes. After the affected tooth is cleaned then it is as easy as it seems to be. For this, you don’t need to bear with the tantrums of your kids because it does not need to test your kid’s patience. Once you land in a good dental clinic, the procedure will be done in just a few minutes. Gives obvious results Dental sealants give obvious results and they are 100% effective in removing the cavities from the chewing surfaces of the permanent premolars and molars which the main teeth responsible for the grinding and chewing purposes.

Millions of people across the world suffer from bad breath. Medically known as chronic halitosis, this dental condition can truly be a cause of embarrassment. Bad breath starts from the tongue or teeth and can be caused by a variety of factors ranging from bad oral hygiene to untreated dental disorders. Here are some quick tips to tackle bad breath successfully: Brush the right way When brushing one’s teeth, keep in mind to brush the right way. One should use a soft, circular motion to clean effectively. Additionally, one should remember to brush their teeth at least twice a day and change the toothbrush once every three months. If one has a severe bad breath issue, they should consider switching to an electric toothbrush for better cleaning results. Floss daily Tiny debris of food can get lodged in the gaps between the teeth and lead to bad breath. More often than not, the toothbrush cannot reach and clean these crevices. Hence, it is advisable to use dental floss at least once a day to ensure that one’s mouth is clean post meals. Do not floss too roughly, as this can increase the gaps between the teeth. If unsure, ask the dentist how to floss the right way.

We never give it a lot of thought, but the toothbrush we use has a significant impact on our dental health. Here are some aspects you should familiarize yourself with before buying a toothbrush: 1. Choosing between a manual and electric toothbrush Electric or battery powered toothbrushes are now available in numerous stores as well as e-commerce websites. You can choose from numerous styles and colors. Features such as timers and removable heads are common in electric toothbrushes and increase the ease of using the device. Manual toothbrushes, on the other hand, have a traditional design. However, they come in a wider variety of shapes, sizes, colors, styles, and brands. The primary difference between the two is the ease of use. They both work perfectly as long as you brush your teeth well. Whichever toothbrush you use, make sure you brush your teeth twice in a day. 2. Choosing between children’s toothbrush and adult’s toothbrush Adults do not usually use children’s toothbrush. However, many parents make their kids use an adult’s toothbrush. One should stop this practice immediately since the bristles for children’s toothbrushes are softer and do not harm the gums. Children’s mouths are much more sensitive as compared to an adult’s mouth, hence the difference in the toothbrush.