The vast majority of us remember the excitement of losing a tooth as a young child, knowing that we could put the tooth under our pillow at night and the Tooth Fairy would come to leave us money for our treasured teeth. Believed to have started in the US in the early 1900s, the Tooth Fairy legend is a great way to teach children about the importance of oral health, and to celebrate their growing up and the development of adult teeth. But there are many more creative ways to celebrate your child’s baby teeth than simply leaving behind spare change. Here are a few more creative ideas for the Tooth Fairy in your household.

Special Activities

Leaving money for a child’s tooth may be the traditional response by the Tooth Fairy, but why not make it more interesting for your little one by leaving something unexpected! Consider tickets to an amusement park or a movie. In that way, you’re really giving two gifts: the activity itself and the gift of spending quality time with your little one.

Tooth Fairy Notes and Dental Products

Leaving a personalized note from the Tooth Fairy, along with a toothbrush or toothpaste especially designed for kids, is a great way to reward your child for losing a tooth and educate him or her about good oral health habits at the same time. You can either design your own Tooth Fairy note, or download a Tooth Fairy note card available online.

Surprise Visits from the Tooth Fairy

The Tooth Fairy doesn’t have to limit his or her visits to only when a baby tooth is lost. You might surprise your little one by leaving behind a special note of encouragement from the Tooth Fairy with a gold star and a special treat the night after your child has a dental appointment, for example.

Dinner or Treats

The Tooth Fairy might also consider leaving behind a gift certificate for a special dinner your child’s favorite fast food restaurant, or maybe a trip to a frozen yogurt shop. Once again, you’ll be giving the gift of special time devoted to your child in addition to the meal out.

Our children are only young once, so why not use legends like the Tooth Fairy to make the most of these precious years? Spare change may be okay from time to time, but just imagine all the other creative ways that the Tooth Fairy can visit your house! Not only will you be teaching your kids the value of good oral health habits – you’ll also be leaving them with a lifetime of fond Tooth Fairy memories from their childhood.

Most of us know the importance of brushing and flossing every day. But maintaining good oral health involves more than paying attention to your teeth and gums. There’s one part of your mouth that many people overlook entirely, but it’s a vital part of your overall health, and the quality of your life actually depends on it – your tongue. When it comes to maintaining good oral health, it’s important to remember this very special part of your mouth. After all, your tongue allows you to taste, chew and enjoy your food, not to mention the ability to speak clearly. This important part of your anatomy needs attention in order to remain healthy.

Your tongue is truly an amazing part of your body. Over 10,000 taste buds survive on its surface, allowing you to enjoy one of life’s greatest pleasures – tasting food and drinks. But these same little taste buds create a somewhat rough surface on your tongue, and that rough surface is the perfect place for bacteria and acid to thrive. If you don’t keep your tongue surface clean, it can lead to bad breath and more.

The bacteria that collects on the tongue surface is easily transferred to your teeth. Most of us know that bacteria collects on the tooth surface and that bacteria can eventually build up and lead to plaque and tooth decay. But you may not realize that much of the bacteria left behind on your teeth originate from the tongue.

As if that weren’t enough reason to pay attention to your tongue, there’s one more important reason to keep your tongue clean: you’ll be able to taste the flavor of your food better!

Caring for Your Tongue

Fortunately, caring for your tongue is relatively easy. Each time you brush and floss your teeth, remember to brush your tongue as well. Use a soft-bristle brush and scrub it gently for just a few seconds. It’s that simple. If you notice that your tongue is a little sensitive, don’t worry – that’s normal. Once you begin brushing your tongue on a regular basis, you won’t notice it so much. But if discomfort persists, mention it to your dentist.

By following this simple routine of gently brushing your tongue each and every day, you’ll help to reduce the risk of developing tooth decay, freshen your breath, and enjoy the taste of food and beverages to the full extent possible. Remember what an important role your tongue plays in the quality of your life, so take good care of it every day to maintain good oral health.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you’re not alone. In fact, it is estimated that 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Most dentists strongly encourage people who are missing teeth to choose a method to replace them. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that other teeth will shift in place over time to fill in the gap left behind by missing teeth, and that can lead to a myriad of other problems. The good news is that there are several options for replacing missing teeth, including the following.

Dental Implants

An implant consists of a titanium rod that is implanted into the patient’s jawbone. After a few months, when the implant fuses to the bone, an artificial tooth is affixed to the top of the implant. The result is an extremely strong, permanent replacement for a missing tooth. An implant is a popular option because it’s very much like getting a new natural tooth, and it can last for many decades or even for a lifetime. Implants can also be used to anchor either dentures or dental bridges.

Dentures

For patients who are missing several or all of their teeth, dentures can be life-changing. Today’s modern dentures offer many advantages over dentures from years past. They are typically better-fitting and more comfortable for the patient. Partials are available for people missing a few teeth, and complete sets can be made for people who have no natural teeth left.

Dental Bridges

Bridges consist of one or more artificial teeth mounted onto a metal frame. This can be a good option for replacing missing teeth in an area of the mouth where natural teeth are still in place on either side since a bridge attaches to the patient’s adjacent natural teeth to hold it in place. But even if you don’t have the natural teeth to support it, a dental bridge can still be an option thanks to implant-supported bridges. In these circumstances, your dentist or oral surgeon will insert dental implants that serve as supports for the bridge.

Missing teeth can not only ruin your smile; they can make it difficult to chew food and even affect the way you speak. In the long term, living with missing teeth can result in your other teeth shifting in place, which throws off your bite and creates other problems. Fortunately, thanks to modern dental technology, no one has to live with the embarrassment and discomfort of missing teeth. Your dentist can provide you with more information about each of these replacement options and help you decide which is best for you.

We all know about most of the services provided by dentists, such as fillings, crowns, tooth extractions, dental bridges, etc. But there are other treatments offered by some dentists that may surprise you. Although these services are directly related to oral health, they go beyond the scope of typical dental services.

Snoring and Apnea Treatments

If you have trouble sleeping because of your own loud snoring or the snoring of a family member, you know how difficult it can be to get a good night’s sleep. And lack of sleep can have a negative impact on your overall health and the quality of your life. An even more serious condition is sleep apnea, where the patient actually stops breathing for several seconds while asleep. Many dentists offer treatments for both loud snoring and sleep apnea, such as an oral sleep appliance that keep airways open and clear while the patient sleeps. If the problem is severe, your dentist may refer you to a sleep specialist or an oral surgeon, who can perform a procedure to remove part of the soft tissue in the back of your neck to help open the airway.

Teeth Grinding

Grinding your teeth at night (also called “bruxism”) not only damages your teeth; it can also result in morning headaches and can negatively impact the quality of your sleep. Many dentists offer treatments for patients who grind their teeth, such as specially designed mouthguards that protect your teeth while you sleep.

TMJ Disorder

If you suffer from headaches or pain in and around your jaw, you could be suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. The temporomandibular joint is located in front of your ears. You can actually feel this joint functioning when you open and close your mouth. When too much stress is placed on this joint – such as that incurred from an injury, clenching the jaw too much, arthritis, or teeth grinding – the joint may become injured and begin to malfunction. Many dentists now offer treatments for TMJ disorder, such as medications, dental appliance therapy, and/or recommendations for dietary changes to relieve stress on the joint.

Sports Protection

Certain sports and physical activities can put your teeth at risk. Rough-and-tumble sports such as football, soccer and basketball make it all too easy for players to break a tooth or even knock a tooth out. Fortunately, sports guards offer an excellent way to protect the athelete’s teeth, which is why some dentists now offer a variety of mouthguards especially designed for atheletes.

The field of dentistry isn’t just about teeth and gums. Countless dentists across the US have expanded their list of services to include a variety of issues that impact your overall oral health. If you suffer from any of these problems, talk to your dentist!

Missing one or two teeth is quite common among adults in the US, particularly within the older population. In fact, by the time they reach middle age, the majority of people in this country are missing at least one tooth due to a variety of reasons. Many people choose to simply live without those teeth, thinking that missing teeth is not a major problem and not wanting to go through the procedures involved to replace them. But that is never a good idea. You should always replace missing teeth – even if it’s just a single tooth. If you don’t, you run the risk of a variety of other problems, each of which is much more serious than a missing tooth.

• Changes in your bite: When you lose a tooth, your other teeth gradually begin to shift in place to fill in the gap left behind. When this happens, your bite can be thrown off, which can make it difficult to chew food normally and can cause some discomfort as well.
• Changes in your speech: A missing tooth, particularly a tooth in the front of your mouth, can negatively impact the way you speak.
• Changes in your appearance: The gap left behind by a missing tooth can be embarrassing. That kind of embarrassment can damage your self-confidence and self-esteem, and can have a negative impact on the quality of your life overall.
• Increases your risk of developing gum disease: When your remaining teeth shift in place to fill in the gap left behind by a missing tooth, it can be harder to thoroughly brush and floss between teeth. This can result in a higher likelihood of developing gum disease.
• Bone loss may occur: Teeth are much more than simply instruments that allow you to chew food. They also perform an important function in keeping the bone density of your jaw healthy. When you lose a tooth and don’t replace it, the bone tissue that once surrounded that tooth begins to deteriorate and bone loss can occur.

Although there are many negative consequences of tooth loss, we do have some good news: there are several different options to choose from to replace missing teeth. The choices range from dental implants to bridges to partial or complete dentures. Each of these replacement options are likely to last for many years. For more information about how to replace missing teeth, and to decide which option is best for you, talk to your dentist.

It’s safe to say that most of us would enjoy having whiter teeth. But white spots on teeth are not so desirable. These discolored areas on the enamel of the tooth surface can be embarrassing and detract from the appearance of your smile. If you have white spots on your teeth, there are several possible causes, including the following:

• Bacteria – White spots may indicate the presence of bacterial acid, usually a sign that enamel is dissolving and tooth decay is about to form.
• Fluorosis – If teeth are exposed to a large amount of fluoride when they are still developing, white spots can appear on the surface. This is especially common in children who might be drinking fluoridated water and using other forms of fluoride as well – such as fluoride toothpaste, for example.
• Enamel hypoplasia – In areas of the tooth surface where enamel hypoplasia is present, white spots can form. This condition might be brought on by a number of things, such as high fever, nutritional deficiency, or side effects of certain medications.
• Enamel demineralization – Demineralization of enamel occurs when plaque accumulates on teeth and is left untreated. This is usually due to poor oral hygiene and can be common for people wearing traditional braces, for whom brushing thoroughly is difficult.

Treatments

Fortunately, there are a number of ways in which dentists can remove white spots from the surface of teeth. Which treatment is best for you will be determined by the cause of the problem and what your dentist believes to be the most effective treatment. What follows are some ways in which white spots can be removed:

•  Teeth whitening – Bleaching the surface of the teeth can help to even out the overall shade of the enamel. The most effective whitening products are those provided by your dentist, but there are over-the-counter products available as well.
• Microabrasion – Your dentist may recommend microabrasion, which involves removing a very thin layer of enamel from the teeth.
• Porcelain veneers – Veneers can be an excellent way to drastically improve the appearance of your smile. A very thin layer of porcelain is placed over the surface of the tooth and bonded in place.

Not only does this method cover existing white spots, it also provides a protective covering for enamel and helps to prevent future staining.
If you notice white spots on your teeth, contact your dentist to determine what might be causing them to appear. The good news is that white spots can usually be removed using one of the procedures listed above.

A recent study conducted by Oral Health American (OHA) finds that oral health is, in some ways, generally improving for many Americans. This improvement, which has taken place over the span of the last 50 years or so, is largely due to more effective dental technology and more vigorous prevention efforts, including water fluoridation efforts in communities across the U.S. While we have made some great strides in our overall oral health, much still needs to be done. Of particular concern is the need to address oral health issues for a rapidly growing senior population.

Certain findings of the study were somewhat alarming. For example, research showed that one-third of older adults have lost at least six teeth, and half of the states inside the U.S. received a poor overall rating when graded in the six following areas: severe tooth loss of residents (6 or more teeth); number of dental visits; Medicaid dental benefits for adults; fluoridation of community water systems, state oral health plans; and basic screening surveys. The study also reported that factors such as income level and education play a role in the oral health of adults in the U.S. Residents from lower income households had poor oral health compared with people from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

The positive news is that more states are taking proactive action to ensure the oral health of their senior populations. Many of these states have initiated surveys to determine the current oral health of their older residents, provided fluoridated water to more citizens, and have increased the number of dental services provided under Medicaid plans.

Based on the OHA ranking of the six criteria mentioned above, the following 10 states had the best scores: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Connecticut, Colorado, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Michigan, California, and Vermont. The 10 states with the lowest scores included Wyoming, Delaware, West Virginia, New Jersey, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

The OHA study concluded that several steps should be taken to address the concerns for the oral health of our aging population: ensure comprehensive Medicaid benefits; increase dental coverage in Medicare plans; expand community water fluoridation efforts; include objectives for the oral health of seniors in each State Oral Health Plan (SOHP); and perform basic screening surveys of the older population in every state to identify concerns.

While it’s good news that many improvements have been made with regard to the oral health of Americans, our older population still struggles with their oral health. And as our population continues to age and the number of senior citizens increases, so too does the urgency to address these problems so that we can all enjoy better oral health in our golden years.

One of the most important things you can do to enjoy good oral health is to take good care of your gums. In fact, periodontal care not only improves your oral health, it might just help to improve your overall health as well. Many recent studies conducted over the past several years have shown that other more serious health issues are related to gum problems, such as heart disease and diabetes, to name just two. Visiting your dentist twice a year is essential for good oral health, but there are other steps you can take at home to improve the health of your gums.

Your At-Home Periodontal Care Plan

In addition to visiting your dentist on a regular basis for professional exams and cleanings, the best way to keep your gums and teeth healthy is by following an oral hygiene routine at home each and every day. That routine should include the following:

• Brush at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day. If you’re concerned about the health of your gums, floss more often. Remember that it’s the trapped food left between your teeth that produces bacteria, and that in turn can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. So the more often you remove those leftover particles by flossing, the less chance there will be for bacteria to form.
• Eat a healthy diet. A plant-based diet, in combination with some lean protein and foods rich in calcium – such as yogurt and cheese, for example – is not only good for your overall health, it’s good for your teeth and gums as well. And avoid foods and drinks with too much sugar.
• Use an anti-gingivitis mouthwash. Several varieties are available over-the-counter. Just be certain that the label indicates the mouthwash is anti-gingivitis.
• Recognize the symptoms. The earlier you treat gum disease, the easier and more effective the treatment will be. Recognize the symptoms, and see your dentist right away if you experience any of them.

Gum Disease Symptoms

The good news about gum disease is that it can be reversed if it’s caught in the early stages. There are several symptoms that usually indicate a problem exists:

• Gums that bleed when you brush and floss.
• Red or dark pink gums.
• Swollen and/or sore or tender gums.
• Receding gums.
• Sores on gum tissue.

The best treatment is so often preventing the problem to begin with. By seeing your dentist on a regular basis, and by following an oral hygiene routine at home every day, you should be able to avoid gum disease altogether.

Thumb-sucking is very common for toddlers. And while a little of it at a very early age is natural, if it goes on for too long it can negatively impact the child’s teeth, throw off the bite, affect the way the child speaks, and even cause problems with the little one’s jaw. So by the time your child reaches 3, you should do whatever you can to help him or her kick the thumb-sucking habit. What follows are several ways to help your child stop.

• Reason with your toddler. By the time your child is 3 or 4, he or she can probably understand why thumb-sucking is a bad idea. Tell your little one “only babies” suck their thumbs, and that big kids don’t do that. Explain that thumb and finger sucking causes your teeth to stick out and makes you look funny, and that sucking your thumb spreads germs that can make you sick.
• Address the issue when it happens the most. If your little one engages in thumb-sucking while watching TV, for example, explain that you’ll be turning off the TV for a short period of time each time thumb-sucking starts. Don’t make this seem like a punishment – instead, explain to your toddler that you want to help him or her kick the habit, and make them part of that process.
• Use socks at night. If your toddler engages in thumb-sucking overnight, try putting soft socks on his or her hands while they sleep. Remember, again, to always explain why you’re doing this and to make your child feel that it’s a team effort.
• View online videos. There are several videos about thumb-sucking that are easily understood by kids. Watch a few of these with your child (after you watch them yourself first, of course, to make sure they’re appropriate). It might just help convince your toddler how important it is to quit.
• Give “chewelry” a try. Since thumb-sucking is all about oral gratification for little kids, try “chewelry,” or jewelry designed to be chewable by toddlers. This is often a good replacement for thumb-sucking.
• Praise and reward – every single day. As adults, we know all too well how hard it is to break a bad habit, so just imagine how difficult it is if you’re 3 or 4! Recognize the efforts of your little one by telling him or her what a great job they’re doing in trying to quit thumb-sucking. Develop goals for your child — such as going for a certain time period without thumb-sucking – then rewarding him or her for accomplishing those goals. Rewards could be anything from a special, healthy snack to an extra bedtime story that night. We all respond to positive reinforcement, and kids are no exception.

Whatever you do, don’t lose your patience with your child if it takes some time to get him or her to kick the habit. Understand that thumb-sucking is entirely normal. In fact, many babies do it in the womb. So it’s only natural that it would take some time to quit. But with persistence on your part, and a lot of positive reinforcement, your child can and will kick the habit for good.

Most of us have, at least at one time or another, wanted to improve our smiles. The motivation could be anything from an upcoming anniversary or wedding to just wanting to feel better about our appearance. But there’s another reason to brighten your smile that you might never have considered: to benefit your career!

Many studies conducted over the past few years have shown that an attractive smile improves our self-esteem and self-confidence. But it goes much further than that: it also changes how other people view us. Here are a few ways that a brighter smile can help you in whatever career path you’ve chosen:

• Your smile can make you seem more competent at your job. Remember that studies have shown an attractive smile boosts your self-confidence. That’s exactly what you need to feel more self-assured that you can perform well on the job, and that is obvious to everyone around you – from peers and coworkers to bosses and clients.
• Your smile can help you advance in your profession. Imagine this scenario: you and a coworker are vying for the same promotion. One of you has an attractive smile and exudes self-confidence, and the other does not. You can easily guess who has the better chance at getting the promotion!
• Your smile will make you more popular with clients and customers. Studies have shown something else about a beautiful smile – it makes you seem more honest and trustworthy to other people. Those are qualities that are immediately appealing to your clients and customers.
• Your smile makes you look healthier. Whether you’re applying for a new job, going for that promotion you’ve wanted, or just trying to do the best job you can in your present position, every boss wants healthy and happy employees. A beautiful smile will make you look healthy and upbeat.
• Your beautiful smile is a great first impression. Studies have shown that people who smile during interviews are perceived as being more positive and likable. If you have a good-looking smile, you’re much more likely to share it with others – like perspective employers, for example.

If you want to give your career an extra boost, improving your smile is a great place to start. Ask your dentist about procedures that can give you a beautiful smile. Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and quickest ways to brighten your smile, but there are other methods as well. Consider porcelain veneers or dental bonding for a movie star smile instantly. If you are missing one or more teeth, ask your dentist about ways to replace those teeth, such as dental implants or dental bridges, for example. Whatever investment you decide to make in your smile, chances are it will pay off in how it will benefit your career!