The 5 Absolute Worst Ways to Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth might seem simple, but your oral health can suffer if you don’t brush properly. Understanding how you shouldn’t brush your teeth is vital to improving your technique. Here’s a look at the worst ways you can perform this task.

1. Failing to brush the whole tooth.

Of course you can feel where you brush, but brushing mindlessly can cause you to miss spots. If you neglect certain areas over and over, you may develop cavities and gum disease there.

2. Not brushing enough in each session.

A few scant seconds of brushing will do little good for your teeth and gums. If this sounds familiar, consider setting a timer each time you brush to make sure you reach the two-minute mark.

3. Brushing too hard (or too soft).

The right pressure and motion is necessary for the biggest benefits. Brush gently, but be sure to use circular movements and brush grime off of your teeth with final swipes along the way.

4. Brushing with hard bristles and bad toothpaste.

The right equipment is key to effective brushing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent damage and choose a non-abrasive toothpaste that contains fluoride. Occasionally, you can use a whitening toothpaste if necessary.

5. Not flossing enough.

Dental floss removes grime from between teeth, where a toothbrush is ineffective. Waxed or non-waxed floss is fine as long as you’re gentle and diligent with this daily routine.

Antibacterial mouthwash is a great addition to this process. For the very healthiest teeth, you should also get regular check-ups. Twice-yearly visits to your dentist in Studio City, CA is plenty for most patients.

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/5-absolute-worst-ways-brush-teeth/

Beauty Teeth: Which Teeth Matter Most?

When it comes to romance, studies show that single men and women rank the smile as the number one feature they most judge a potential date on. This just adds more weight to the research showing a person’s smile is his or her main attraction. In this day of selfies and high-definition everything, our teeth are constantly on parade. That is why cosmetic dentistry has skyrocketed in popularity.

It takes just seven seconds for someone to make a first impression about you. That means the quality of your smile and the condition of our teeth can make or break a first impression. The good news is that at any age and with any type of teeth, cosmetic improvements can instantly transform a smile. It’s the perfect makeover that delivers natural-looking, gorgeous results within your individual budget.

Did you know there are six teeth that are most important when others first see us? Dentists say these are the group of teeth located in the upper front of the mouth. They include the two front teeth, or maxillary central incisors. The next two teeth are the maxillary lateral incisors. The last two key teeth are the maxillary canines.

To make the most of your smile, the six teeth located in the upper front of your mouth should be white, healthy, and shaped properly. If yours are not, a highly skilled cosmetic dentist can offer you incredible solutions ranging from simple teeth whitening procedures to dental veneers studio city.

Dental veneers are wafer thin shells that are placed over the front of the teeth and bonded in place, creating a flawless, and celebrity smile.

Whitening your teeth is the simplest and most effective way to look younger and more approachable. The ultimate enhancements are dental veneers in studio city. Men and women are allured by a radiant, confident, Hollywood smile.

A healthy, bright smile speaks volumes. Design yours now.

Contact Studio City Dental Center to schedule a consultation!

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/beauty-teeth-teeth-matter/

The 32 Most Important Teeth In Your Mouth

While the main function of your teeth is to help you chew and break down food so it can be better digested, there are specific functions that many people don’t know about. Read on to find out how your four types of teeth help you every day.

Incisors: For Biting

Your incisors are your eight front teeth, four on the top and the other four on the bottom. The two teeth in the center are called the central incisors. The teeth on either side of your central incisors are called the lateral incisors.

The main function of the incisors is to bite food. Babies get their incisors when they’re around six months old, and between the ages of six and eight, these baby teeth fall out and the permanent incisors come in.

Canines: For Tearing

The sharp teeth located outside the incisors are called canines. There are four canines altogether, two on the top and the other two on the bottom.

The canines help tear food. Children get canines between the ages of 16 months and 20 months. Permanent lower canines usually come in at nine years old, while permanent upper canines come in between 11 and 12 years of age.

Premolars: For Chewing

Premolars are also referred to as bicuspids, and they help with chewing and tearing food. They’re flat teeth with ridges on top. You have four premolars on each side of your mouth. They become completely developed by around 11 years of age.

Molars: For Grinding

Molars are meant for chewing and grinding food. They also work along with the tongue to make swallowing food easier. You have 12 molars that are in the back of the mouth. Children get them between 12 and 15 months of age.

Before you search for dentists in Studio City, you should understand the functions of different kinds of teeth in your mouth. All of them are important, so if one of them hurts, don’t just ignore it and think you’ll be fine by switching to another tooth to do the first tooth’s job.

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/32-important-teeth-mouth/

Three Signs of Gum Disease (Or, “When Do I Need a Deep Dental Cleaning?”)

Our natural teeth are meant to last a lifetime. An at-home dental regimen involving twice-daily brushing and flossing is critical to ensuring the long-term health of your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, dietary choices, smoking, and other health conditions may mean that normal flossing and brushing are not enough to protect your mouth—periodontal disease can creep in when you’re not paying attention.

The following are signs of serious gum disease that indicate you may need to talk to your dentist about a deep dental cleaning.

1) Deep Pockets Between Teeth and Gums

In cases of severe gum disease, the gums will recede from the teeth, creating deep pockets. These pockets are a prime hiding place and breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause bad breath, a persistent bad taste in the mouth, and infections leading to tooth loss.

A pocket more than four millimeters deep is a sign of periodontal disease, and requires a deep cleaning.

2) Bone Loss

Gum disease can cause bone loss in the jaw, which can cause teeth to shift or become loose. You may even notice a change in the way your teeth come together when you bite.

Most dentists do X-rays as part of a comprehensive dental examination, and will typically recommend a deep cleaning if there is evidence of bone loss.

3) Inflamed Gums

One of the first signs of periodontal disease is red, tender, swollen gums. You may even notice that your gums bleed whenever you brush your teeth.

While temporary inflammation may be due to a minor irritation, you should visit your dentist if your gums remain swollen for a prolonged period of time.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms in Studio City, CA, contact Studio City Dental Center to schedule your appointment today!

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/three-signs-of-gum-disease/