Dentures and Dental Implants Seattle

Though many of us say we brush our teeth regularly, you get the best results by making sure you brush properly. Here are the steps you should follow: First, place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Then, move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use the “toe” of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke. Finally, brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath. As well as brushing your teeth, you should floss them every day. Heres how to floss for best results. Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Then wind the remaining floss around the same finger on the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle r

Maintaining proper nutrition is important for everyone, young or old but many older adults find it difficult to eat a balanced diet. They may avoid meats, raw vegetables and fresh fruits because they have trouble chewing or swallowing. These problems can be caused by painful teeth, ill-fitting dentures, dry mouth or changes in facial muscles. Others find their sense of taste has changed, sometimes due to a disease or certain medications. As a result, older adults often have diets lacking in calcium, protein and other nutrients essential to dental and overall health. A balanced diet has to be based on the five food groups: – Milk and dairy products – Breads and cereals – Meats and dried beans – Fruits – Vegetables Sometimes a multi-vitamin or mineral supplement will help but its best to use supplements only after discussion with your physician. If your teeth are stopping you from eating the food you enjoy or that you need for good health your dentist will be able to help you find a solu

Your smile makes a huge difference to what people think about you and how you feel about yourself. And there are many options available to help you improve the look and brightness of your smile, including: In-office bleaching: During chair-side bleaching, the dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent. At-home bleaching: There are several types of products available for use at home, which can either be dispensed by your dentist or purchased over-the-counter. These include peroxide bleaching solutions, which actually bleach the tooth enamel. Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouth guard. Whitening toothpastes: All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. “Whitening” toothpastes include special chemical or polishing agents that are more

When you put food in your mouth, it immediately meets the bacteria that live there. Plaque, for example, is a sticky film of bacteria. These bacteria love the sugars found in many foods. So, when you don’t clean your teeth after eating, the bacteria and the sugar can combine to produce acids which can destroy the enamel – the hard surface of the tooth. In time, this can lead to tooth decay. The more often you eat and the longer foods are in your mouth, the more damage occurs. Many foods that are nutritious and important in our diet contain sugars – such as fruits, milk, bread, cereals and even vegetables. So the key is not to try and avoid sugar but to think before you eat. When you eat is also important because each time you eat food that contains sugars, the teeth are attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more. This means that foods that are eaten as part of a meal cause less harm. More saliva is released during a meal, helping to wash foods from the mouth and reduce the effects of aci