Brushing your teeth is a vital part of maintaining your oral health. We’re taught how to brush our teeth from an early age and told we should brush at least twice a day. Beyond the frequency that we brush our teeth, we also need to make sure that we’re using the appropriate techniques, as well as using quality toothbrushes. At Cosmo Dental, Dr. Segui and her associates recommend replacing your toothbrush once every three months or sooner. Many people believe that the idea that you should change out your toothbrush every 3 months is a marketing technique to buy more toothbrushes. However, there are multiple reasons why dental professionals recommend changing your toothbrush every three months. Bacteria Buildup. For one, after you brush your teeth, bacteria and plaque inhabit your toothbrush. In a similar way that dirt becomes transferred to a sponge when you clean, bacteria also become transferred to toothbrushes. The longer you use a certain toothbrush, the more bacteria will take over the brush. Worn Out Bristles. Another reason you should change your toothbrush every three months is that over time, your toothbrush bristles will become worn out. Worn-out bristles tend to be more abrasive on your gums, which can lead to premature gum recession and inflammation in your gums. After Sickness. If you are dealing with a cold, flu, or other viral infection, you should change your toothbrush to avoid reinfecting yourself. Viruses and bacteria can remain in your toothbrush bristles, leading to cross-contamination into your family’s toothbrushes or reinfection. You should dispose of your toothbrush after sickness, and replace it with a fresh toothbrush. SIGNS TO REPLACE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH You might need to replace your toothbrush sooner than three months. If you brush with too much pressure, you will probably notice your bristles becoming worn out before three months. As soon as you realize that your toothbrush bristles are pointing in the wrong direction or becoming worn down, you should replace it. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should try to replace it every three months. Keeping Your Toothbrush Clean People might try to use various cleaning agents to clean their toothbrushes after dropping them or getting sick. Unfortunately, this can actually cause more harm to your teeth and gums. To keep your toothbrush as clean as possible, make sure you rinse it well after use, then let it air dry. Avoid storing your toothbrush in a small and enclosed space, as this promotes the growth of bacteria. When storing your toothbrush in a cup or toothbrush holder, avoid letting it touch other toothbrushes, which can transfer bacteria. Oftentimes, patients try to sterilize their toothbrushes by boiling, microwaving, or washing them in a dishwasher. Exposing your toothbrush to excessive heat can warp your brush’s bristles, making them less effective at cleaning your teeth. SHOULD YOU USE AN ELECTRIC OR MANUAL TOOTHBRUSH? It is hard to say if an electric toothbrush or manual toothbrush is better for your oral health. After all, not all electric toothbrushes and not all manual toothbrushes are created equal. Some electric toothbrushes are more effective than others and vice-versa. Whether you want an electric or manual toothbrush is a matter of preference. For instance, if your manual toothbrush is working for your oral health situation, and you have not experienced decay or cavities, it is better to not change your habits. However, if you have a hard time reaching certain teeth or deal with regular cavities and decay, then we recommend switching to a more effective electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes can also be a good option for the elderly when coordination and strength are lacking. Beyond using proper brushing habits, it is also important to make sure you are going to the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings, as well as flossing daily! Want to know more about your oral health routine? Schedule an appointment with your COSMO DENTAL Eton Centris QC at 0968621-2551 or Eton Tower Makati at 0017-168-2289.
What To Know About Periodontal Disease And How To Prevent It
Periodontal disease refers to various levels of severity of infection in the gum tissues. Some of these issues include plaque, gingivitis, gum infection, gum inflammation and many others. According to WebMD, gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and a precursor of periodontal disease. It’s also a signal that additional care is necessary to prevent it from becoming worse. Gingivitis is relatively easy to treat. If you control it quickly, you can avoid serious periodontal disease that may require more invasive procedures. Periodontitis is an inflammatory gum disease that generally affects the tissues supporting the teeth. We’re not trying to scare anybody, but being aware of what causes gum inflammation and subsequent gum diseases can save some trouble down the line. Diligent oral care is equally important for the health of both gums and teeth. Inflamed or infected gum tissue can occur, and if left untreated, it can eventually cause damage to the underlying jawbone that supports the teeth. Teeth are left vulnerable and can become loose. What started as a minor inflammation can end with tooth loss. So, let us know about some of the periodontal diseases: Gingivitis:It is often considered as one of the earliest stage of gum disease and is noticeable via inflammation of the gums. Generally, in gingivitis gums swell up and appear reddish and sometimes it even bleeds while brushing. However, at this stage, the gum disease could be prevented from further increasing. Periodontitis:It is the second stage of gum disease wherein the teeth supporting bone and fibers that hold the teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. The gums begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which increases penetration and growth of plaque below the gum line. When you reach this stage, it is important that you start taking your oral hygiene seriously and go for one or two periodontal therapy so that further damage can be prevented to the gum tissue and teeth supporting bones. Advanced Periodontitis:Since, it is advanced periodontitis, it is the more advanced stage of gum disease. At this stage the fibers and supporting bones of your teeth are getting destroyed and your teeth are starting to loosen. This affects your entire oral system. Aggressive periodontal therapy needs to be done and teeth might need to be removed by the dentist. Dentist will provide restorative options if teeth are removed due to periodontal disease. Now that you know, why your gum bleeds and why does your particular tooth pains, know how to treat it on time without damaging your teeth any further. Since, gingivitis is the earliest stage, it can be treated easily. You can simply get your teeth cleaned by the professional dentist more often. Generally, cleaning your teeth every 3 to 4 months would help your get rid of the problem. However, if your periodontal disease is in second stage, a little more complex treatment would be involved. You can go for: Root planning and Scaling: Root planning and scaling involves deep cleaning of your teeth and gums that removes plaque (the major cause of periodontal diseases) and tartar under the gum line. Don’t worry about the pain, local injection would ease out the pain. Gum Surgery: Hope you don’t reach this level but if you have advanced periodontitis, gum surgery can be done to repair damage caused by infection. Gingivectomy is done to remove infected tissue, a flap procedure to clean the gumline to remove bacterial infection and scale the tooth roots in case of periodontal pockets larger than 5 mm, and gum grafting can be done for the recessed tissue. Regenerative Procedures: It is the reversal process used to reverse the bone and tissue damage. In this, infection in your gums is removed by the dentist by opening the affected area. He will then place a bone graft, membranes (filters) or tissue-stimulating proteins that will encourage the bone and tissue to regenerate. The worse your gum disease becomes, the more invasive the treatment is likely to be. To avoid surgery, practice prevention. Periodontal Disease Treatment at Cosmo Dental How to prevent periodontal diseases?Brush your teeth:Well, brushing is the most basic thing that you can do to prevent gum diseases, but people are more prone to gum diseases even after regular brushing. So, brush after every meal to remove plaque that gets trapped between your teeth and gums. Don’t forget to include your tongue, bacteria loves to hide there. Flossing vs gingivitis:Never run out of floss in your bathroom. Even if you brush twice, always say yes to floss. Regular flossing certainly reduces the signs of gingivitis when coupled with regular brushing. Flossing is magical for bleeding gums as well. Floss at least once a day as well; gums can sometimes stop bleeding with regular flossing. Swish with mouthwash:Use mouthwash to rinse your mouth after brushing even. Mouthwash helps keep your breath fresh and reduce episodes of plaque in your gums. Mouthwash removes food particles that brushing and flossing could miss. Frequent visit to periodontist:If not every month, an annual meeting with a good periodontist could help you evaluate your dental health. A Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation looks at your teeth, plaque level, gums, bite, bone structure and other risk factors for periodontal disease. Identifying symptoms of gum disease early is a key to protecting your teeth and gums. Quit smoking:If you are smoker, you are susceptible to get periodontal disease more easily than a person who does not smoke. Drinking and unhealthy diets also add to the gum disease woes. Always consult a periodontist before infection in your teeth increases with time. So, know your risk and other factors that add to it. Well, we hope you don’t have to consult periodontics any time soon and our preventive tips are taken seriously before you have to fine cure.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
You break a leg; you go to the emergency room. They are open 24/7 and can help you. But what happens when you break a tooth? Or experience severe tooth pain? If your first reaction is to go to the hospital ER, WAIT. In this blog, we’ll tell you why dental emergency consultations should be your first quest for help. What is considered a dental emergency? Let’s start by outlining the most common dental emergencies: If you experience a dental problem that’s life-threatening, such as a dislocated jaw or impaired breathing, call 911 or go to the emergency room. If your problem is not life-threatening, here’s the next step: Step 1. Call your dentist for a dental emergency consultation Even if your dental emergency happens outside your dentist’s business hours, call him or her. Most dentists have an automated message with instructions on what to do, like calling the dental office emergency number or contacting them through social media. With a dental emergency consultation, you will get advice from your trusted dentist who addresses your symptoms and the root cause of your problem. Your dentist may advise you to come in for an appointment ASAP, provide tips on how to relieve your symptoms, or recommend treatments to end the problem once and for all. Why you should avoid the ER for a dental emergency Most hospitals do not have dental staff on call and can only treat your symptoms with pain killers or antibiotics. You will likely still require a dental appointment to treat your emergency correctly. At-home steps for dental emergencies In some cases, the first step is to react to your dental emergency and then call your dentist, which is why we have laid out quick steps on what to do in a dental emergency. Following these steps and acting quickly may be the difference between saving your tooth or losing it. We recommend bookmarking this blog or sharing it on social media so you can always have it on hand – just in case! What do I do if I knocked out a tooth? What do I do if I break a tooth? The same goes if you chip or crack a tooth. What do I do if I have something stuck between my teeth? How do I treat a toothache or abscess? The last thing you should know! Most dental emergencies are preventable. These five tips will significantly decrease your chances of experiencing one: Need to call an emergency dentist? At Cosmo Dental, we have experienced dentists available to help you with your dental emergency. Our office is located in Quezon City (Eton Centris) and in Makati (Eton Tower Makati).
It’s National Chocolate Day and You Deserve One
Everything’s better with chocolate, especially on National Chocolate’s Day!!! Not only is Chocolate delicious, it’s one of the best sweets for your teeth. Chocolate dissolves quickly in the mouth and can be eaten easily, which decreases the amount of time sugar stays in contact with teeth. Plus, the calcium in the “tsokolate” could help protect the tooth enamel. Eating chocolate in moderation (ahem) is good for your overall health tooth. How you might ask? Chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, it has mind boosting qualities and it may reduce stroke risk We know you are worried about possibilities of stains and cavities, but here are some healthy ways to have detectable day and make all your chocolate dreams come true: First and foremost, brush your teeth 2x a day with a soft-bristled brush. Second, replace your toothbrush every three or four months. Third, make sure to use a PDA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Talk to your local dentist at Cosmo Dental about what types of dental products you should be using. If you see the PDA seal, that tells the product has met their criteria for safety and effectiveness. Here are some interesting chocolate facts to sweeten your day: It takes approximately 400 cacao beans to make 450g of chocolate. The word “chocolate” is derived from the Aztec word for the bitter drink the Aztec people used to make from cacao beans, “xocoatl”. White chocolate is not technically real chocolate as it does not contain any cocoa solids, though it does contain cocoa butter also made from cacao beans. The origin of Nutella began after WW2, when an Italian pastry maker mixed hazelnut into solid chocolate to extend his cocoa amounts, which were in short supply after rationing during the war. The same component in chocolate that makes it toxic to cats and dogs (theobromine), can also kill humans. However, you’d have to eat close to 10kg of chocolate in one sitting to reach that point! All chocolate contains a little caffeine. Most have quite a low amount (20 mg per 100g compared to ~75mg in a cup of coffee) but the darker chocolates varieties can have a similar caffeine content to Coke. Chocolates may be delicious but it’s effects on teeth are not so sweet. Did you also know the chocolate industry is worth approximately $110 billion per year? That’s a LOT of chocolate. Once a rarity, chocolate is now incredibly common in modern diets. Unfortunately – as delicious as it is – chocolate is incredibly high in sugar, which as well as other negative health effects can cause a lot of decay (holes!) in your teeth. This is because the bacteria that are linked with causing decay in the mouth thrive off having simple carbohydrates (sugar) as their main food source. Continuing to eat a lot of sugar increases the numbers of these bacteria in your mouth and allows them to do damage to healthy tooth structure. Therefore, we recommend you always consume chocolate in moderation, saving it for special treats instead of indulging on a daily basis.
