We are proud to announce the opening of our second dental office in Playa Del Carmen.
The first people to use a toothbrush were the Hindus of India in 4000 B.C. The end of a fresh twig was frayed into fibers. It wasn't until 1938 that nylon brushes with plastic handles were invented. The nylon bristles were less abrasive to the teeth and gums than the hog bristles used in ancient China.
What's the hardest substance in the human body?
Answer: Tooth enamel (the outside covering of a tooth)
Great dentistry, I was very happy with my crowns, and the price savings more than paid for my vacation in Cancun. A nice way to relax and recover after all my dental procedures.
--Mark Beckinster
At any age, a complete oral health home program includes sound nutritional habits. Many of the foods that help your body build strong muscles and bones also help build strong, healthy teeth and gums.
Dairy products provide calcium and vitamin D for strengthening teeth and bones. Breads and cereals supply B vitamins for growth and iron for healthy blood, which in turn contributes to healthy gum tissue. Fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C (among other important vitamins) are essential to maintaining healthy gums.
Lean meat, fish, poultry and beans provide iron and protein for overall good health, and magnesium and zinc for teeth and bones.
And if you are among the million Americans who smoke, your dental hygienist will educate you about the hazards of tobacco and work with you to establish a smoking cessation program.
The hectic pace of today's adult lifestyle often leaves little time for the daily oral health care routine needed to prevent cavities and periodontal disease. This is unfortunate since periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. An estimated 75% of Americans reportedly have some form of periodontal disease.
Early detection of periodontal disease reduces the risk of permanent damage to teeth and gums and can prevent more extensive and costly treatment in later years. Regular professional visits, every six months or as scheduled by your dental hygienist, will help you learn more about proper care for your teeth and gums. Regular professional visits are important because gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease, is usually painless; you may not be able to detect it on your own.
Recent surveys show that ninety percent of adults have, on average, 23.5 teeth. Almost a third of adults have all 28 teeth, and fifty percent age 55 and older wear partial or complete dentures. But whether caring for original teeth or dentures, seniors face a range of special oral concerns, including root decay and periodontal disease. You can keep your smile healthy by following a routine of proper oral care and making regular visits to your registered dental hygienist and dentist.
If you have arthritis or limited use of your hands, try adapting the toothbrush for easy use. Insert the handle into a rubber ball or sponge hair curler; or glue the toothbrush handle into a bicycle grip. Toothbrush handles can be lengthened with a piece of wood or plastic such as a ruler, ice cream bar stick or tongue depressor.
For people who have dexterity problems and cannot use a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush may be easier to use. Numerous studies confirm that electric brushes are excellent plaque removing devices and are extremely effective in stimulating gums. Dental floss holders are also available.
Among other benefits, daily brushing and flossing protect older smiles from two common problems of getting older: Root decay--a condition that affects older adults if a great amount of root surfaces are exposed--and tooth decay caused by the weakening or chipping of older fillings.
Dentures—full or partial—should be brushed daily with a soft toothbrush or denture cleaning brush, using a commercially prepared denture powder or paste, hand soap, or baking soda. Toxic or abrasive household cleaners should never be used. Dentures should be brushed inside and outside, and rinsed with cool water.
Remaining natural teeth and gums, especially those teeth supporting a partial denture, should also be brushed.
When not in use, dentures should be covered with water or a denture cleaning solution to prevent drying.
Cavity prevention is not the only concern parents should have when considering their children’s oral health. Recent studies show that periodontal disease continues to plague millions of Americans, including children.
The best way to ensure that your child does not get cavities or gingivitis is to instill proper oral habits early. Good oral hygiene routines should be established as early as infancy and continued throughout life.
Registered dental hygienists may recommend these tips:
Even before teeth begin to erupt, thoroughly clean your infant's gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant washcloth or gauze pad to stimulate the gum tissue and remove food. When the baby's teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
A small amount of fluoridated toothpaste will help to inhibit decay. Fluoride is also found in mouth rinses, community water supplies, and in some foods.
At age two or three, you can begin to teach your child proper brushing techniques. But remember, you will need to follow up with brushing and gentle flossing until age even or eight, when the child has the dexterity to do it alone.
Schedule regular oral health appointments starting around your child's first birthday. Your oral health professional will check for cavities in the primary teeth and watch for developmental problems, as well as help to create a positive experience that may alleviate fear at future visits.
Allow and encourage your child to discuss any fears he or she might have about oral health visits, but do not mention the words'hurt' or 'pain'. Saying "it won't hurt" instills the possibility of pain in the child's thought process.
Determine if the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated. If there is not fluoride in your water, discuss supplement options with your dental hygienist.
Ask your dental hygienist about sealant applications to protect the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth; and about baby bottle tooth decay, which occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to sugar-containing liquids for long periods of time.
The Oral Heath Assessment lasts for up to one hour and involves a thorough evaluation of your gums, teeth and all visible oral tissues and structures. The purpose is to identify existing and potential problems, develop a treatment plan (if needed), and show you how to maintain excellent oral health.
Extra-oral examination
This external examination can help detect conditions of the face and neck, sometimes before the occurrence of any visible symptoms.
Intra-oral examination
This examination of the inside of your mouth not only helps detect problems with your teeth, but also your gums, the lining of your mouth and other oral soft tissues such as the tongue. It also examines relevant facial and oral glands, including the salivary glands.
Both the extra-and intra-oral examinations also help detect condition of the jaw and neck, soft tissues of the mouth and the bone supporting the teeth.
Gum assessment
This periodontal assessment is used to help prevent, detect and control gum disease. Combined with dental health education, oral hygiene and dietary advice, it encourages continuing care for teeth and gums.
Examination of teeth
This examination can help detect early signs of tooth decay and other dental conditions, such as wear which can reduce the need for more extensive treatment.
If your teeth require further work, your dentist will be able to provide you with options on all the most up-to-date restorative and cosmetic techniques available, including crowns, bridges, veneers and implants.
X-ray examination
In order to complete the comprehensive clinical examination, you may require X-rays. The X-rays enable your dentist to see areas of the teeth and jawbone which are not visible - for instance, below the gum line where decay can start.
All of our dentists are able to provide comprehensive care. However, if a specific problem requires specialist treatment, the services are available within our practice to ensure you receive seamless treatment.
Great care is taken in selecting our dentists and specialists to ensure that as well as having the clinical expertise and the empathetic qualities you'd expect, they are committed to providing you with the highest standards of treatment and care.
All our practitioners work within industry recognised protocols, including clinical governance and undergo regular internal clinical audits and assessments. They also participate in ongoing dental and hygienist clinical education and professional development courses, all of which meet the mandatory requirements of the General Dental Council.
We offer the latest types of cosmetic dentistry treatments and care, including teeth whitening and tooth-coloured restorations.
Hygienist visits are an important part of the ongoing and routine care of all patients. We recommend that you visit your hygienist at least every six months.
It is essential that your gums are maintained in good condition, so part of your preventive dental care is time spent with one of our dental hygienists. As well as scaling and cleaning your teeth and giving dietary advice, your hygienist will encourage you to look after your teeth and gums in the correct manner at home.
One of the advantages of our service at our blah blah is that both the specialists and dentists are available on the same site and can provide comprehensive patient care.
Endodontists (for root treatment), oral surgeons, periodontists (for gum treatment) and implant specialists are in-house resources that our dentists can refer to when certain treatments require specialist care.
Having our own advanced laboratory at our Dental Care Centers allows us to perform certain lab procedures - making crowns, bridges and dentures, for example - on the premises. So you can benefit from significantly reduced waiting times for this type of work. It also means that laboratory technicians are available to work directly with you to make sure your tooth has the colour match or shade you want.