What is Plaque?

Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect where the teeth and gums meet. Plaque buildup is the primary factor in periodontal (gum) disease, including gingivitis.

How to Get Rid of Plaque

To help prevent plaque buildup, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day with an anti-plaque toothpaste such as Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste for around the clock protection against plaque buildup, and floss once a day.

Adding a mouth rinse such as Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Rinse to your routine can help against plaque buildup, without the burning sensation of alcohol. Eating well-balanced meals and brushing after snacks will reduce the formation of plaque. Visit your dental office regularly for oral exams and cleanings, during which your dental professional will scrape away any accumulated plaque with a special instrument.

Above article from: Crest.com

Connecticut Family Dental  
171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 103  
Waterbury, CT 06708  
(203) 574-2725  
www.CTFDental.com

Bad Breath (also known as Halitosis)

Learn more about Bad Breath, which is also known as Halitosis.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Connecticut Family Dental  
171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 103  
Waterbury, CT 06708  
(203) 574-2725  
www.CTFDental.com

Sports Safety: Avoiding Tooth and Mouth Injuries

A few years ago, a dental newsletter published what seemed like an unusual story. A boy snagged his teeth on a basketball net while doing a slam-dunk.

A freakish accident? Not quite. After the article appeared, nearly 40 dentists wrote in with their own stories. They all told of would-be Michael Jordans who sacrificed their front teeth in pursuit of the perfect dunk.
In older children and adults, sports injuries are common. Dentists estimate that between 13% and 39% of dental injuries occur while playing sports.
About 80% of all dental injuries affect at least one of the front teeth. Damage to the tongue or cheek is common, too.
Basic Protection
Even if a tooth has been knocked out, it often can be saved if you get to a dentist quickly enough. Minor chips and cracks can be repaired. Dentists use tooth-colored materials that are nearly as strong as the original tooth. However, even "minor" injuries can cause serious and costly damage. If you enjoy sports or other high-risk activities, protect yourself. The use of mouth guards among football players, for example, is believed to prevent about 200,000 mouth injuries a year.
Depending on the sport, two types of protection are available:

• Helmets- A helmet is a must for activities that involve speed or impact. These include football, hockey, skating and bike riding. The helmet should fit correctly. It should also be appropriate for the sport you are playing.
• Mouth guards - Wearing a mouth guard is one of the best ways to prevent injury to your teeth, tongue and lips. A custom-fit mouth guard from your dentist is recommended. This type of mouth guard usually fits better than a ready-made one (found in sporting-goods stores). That means it may protect your teeth better.

If a custom-fit mouth guard isn't an option, try a "boil-and-bite" mouth guard. You can buy one in a sporting-goods store. You place the mouth guard in boiling water. Once the plastic is soft (but not too hot), you bite down on the mouth guard and mold the softened plastic around your teeth. If the mouth guard doesn't fit comfortably the first time, you can reheat it and do it again.

©2002-2013 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved.
09/25/2013

The above article is from: Colgate.com

Connecticut Family Dental  
171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 103  
Waterbury, CT 06708  
(203) 574-2725  
www.CTFDental.com

Six Month Smiles

Straight Teeth in Just Months!
Don't think because you are an adult you can't straighten your teeth. If you worry about the appearance of metallic braces, or can't commit to long-term treatment times, we may have a suitable alternative for you.

Six Month Smiles™ is a revolutionary idea that changes only the teeth that are visible in your smile. It is an accelerated technique that takes care of gaps, overlapping, and crowding in six months or less! Another advantage is they are hardly noticeable. The brackets are clear with white or clear wires. This is a quick method that is comfortable, using a low-force method. It is easy to keep teeth clean during such a short treatment time.

What could possibly top all that off? Six Month Smiles is generally less expensive than traditional braces, veneers, or aligners. It is just that easy now to have a smile full of straight teeth.

Connecticut Family Dental  
171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 103  
Waterbury, CT 06708  
(203) 574-2725  
www.CTFDental.com

Tooth Anatomy

What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth?

• Crown- the top part of the tooth, and the only part you can normally see. The shape of the crown determines the tooth's function. For example, front teeth are sharp and chisel-shaped for cutting, while molars have flat surfaces for grinding.
• Gumline- where the tooth and the gums meet. Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can build up at the gumline, leading to gingivitis and gum disease.
• Root- the part of the tooth that is embedded in bone. The root makes up about two-thirds of the tooth and holds the tooth in place.
• Enamel- the outermost layer of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest, most mineralized tissue in the body - yet it can be damaged by decay if teeth are not cared for properly.
• Dentin- the layer of the tooth under the enamel. If decay is able to progress its way through the enamel, it next attacks the dentin - where millions of tiny tubes lead directly to the dental pulp.
• Pulp- the soft tissue found in the center of all teeth, where the nerve tissue and blood vessels are. If tooth decay reaches the pulp, you usually feel pain.

What Are the Different Types of Teeth?
Every tooth has a specific job or function (use the dental arch in this section to locate and identify each type of tooth):

• Incisors- the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for cutting food.
• Canines- sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped like points (cusps) and are used for tearing food.
• Premolars- these teeth have two pointed cusps on their biting surface and are sometimes referred to as bicuspids. The premolars are for crushing and tearing.
• Molars- used for grinding, these teeth have several cusps on the biting surface

 

The above article is from: Colgate.com

Connecticut Family Dental  
171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 103  
Waterbury, CT 06708  
(203) 574-2725  
www.CTFDental.com

Teeth Whitening Dentist

Brilliantly White Teeth in a Matter of Hours!
Maybe you've seen the amazing results of ZOOM! Advanced Power™ Whitening in popular magazines such as InStyle and Rolling Stone. Teeth that were stained or yellowed return to brilliant whiteness! In just one visit, you too can see the startling difference that turns your smile from unremarkable to dazzling!

We also make custom whitening trays in our lab. With the instructions and supplies we give you, you complete the process at home. This safe and effective technique will give the desired results within 1 - 14 days! What a difference it makes in how you feel about your smile! 

Connecticut Family Dental  
171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 103  
Waterbury, CT 06708  
(203) 574-2725  
www.CTFDental.com

Tooth Decay and Sensitivity

What Causes Tooth Enamel Damage?

What happens when tooth enamel is damaged? The exposed part underneath becomes vulnerable to decay. Cavities aren't the only problem.

Teeth with damaged enamel can become sensitive to extreme temperatures. Suddenly, eating ice cream or sipping hot coffee can be painful or unpleasant.

 

Above article from: WebMD.com/oral-health

Connecticut Family Dental  
171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 103  
Waterbury, CT 06708  
(203) 574-2725  
www.CTFDental.com

Tooth Cavities

Tooth cavities aren't uncommon - but with the right dental health know-how, you can help prevent them. It all starts with proper brushing, daily flossing, and fluoride. Get the details right here.

What Causes Tooth Cavities?
Cavities are holes in the teeth resulting from acid attack. They generally start in the enamel, but can spread to the softer inner layer of the tooth. Tooth cavities are caused by decay that can occur when foods containing carbohydrates become trapped between teeth, and are not completely removed with brushing and flossing. Bacteria living in the mouth digest these foods, generating acidic byproducts that can eat away at tooth enamel.

Help Prevent Tooth Cavities
Fluoride, which is found in most public drinking supplies, some mouth rinses, and Crest toothpastes, helps prevent tooth cavities by slowing the breakdown of enamel and speeding up the remineralization process. Check with your dental professional to see if your drinking water is fluoridated. If it isn't, he or she may recommend that you use high concentration fluoride treatments.

To help strengthen weak spots in tooth enamel, and help prevent the early stages of tooth decay, brush regularly with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, and visit your dental office regularly for professional cleanings.

Above article from: Crest.com

Connecticut Family Dental  
171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 103  
Waterbury, CT 06708  
(203) 574-2725  
www.CTFDental.com

Preventive Dentistry

Gum Disease Can Mean Lost Teeth
The most common reason people lose teeth is because of gum disease, not decay. Sometimes symptoms are not apparent, but bleeding gums while brushing or flossing and shifting or loose teeth are indications of some level of infected gums. If you have already been told you need gum surgery, you will be pleased to know if the infection is not advanced, there are nonsurgical methods that can reverse the problem.

Beyond the Obvious IssuesRecent research has revealed that gum disease is more serious than losing your teeth. Periodontal (gum) infection is linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. These conditions can be fatal, and dentists now regard gum infection as a more serious matter. The American Dental Association has projected that nearly 80% of all Americans have gum disease at some stage, which puts it at epidemic proportions.

The American Academy of Periodontology reports that "studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases." The bacterial infection of the gums travels throughout the bloodstream, reaching vital organs and contributing to serious health problems.

There Is Hope!
Gum surgery is the treatment for periodontal infection in the advanced phase. It is mostly successful in stopping the condition. We emphasize if you have any gum bleeding or loose teeth to let us know, because in the milder stages of gum disease, there are options of nonsurgical procedures. Together with better daily dental care, the disease will be halted. Both surgical and nonsurgical procedures are covered by most dental insurance plans.

The Truth About Lost Teeth
Do you know what problems can result when you lose a tooth? Having even just one missing tooth can cause the other teeth to shift or move. This will affect chewing and the amount of nutrients you absorb from your food. It becomes more difficult to chew healthier food choices like fresh fruit and vegetables, so softer foods with higher calorie content may be favored. This will result in unwanted weight gain. The appearance of your face may change, taking on a hollowed look in the jaw and mouth areas and adding years to your appearance. We can take care of these problems with dental implants. They can replace as many teeth as are missing. They function just like real teeth and look so good, a dentist would have a hard time telling they are not your own.

A Painless Treatment for Gum Disease
The primary cause of tooth loss is gum disease. Our doctors combat this infection with a very effective antibiotic called ARESTIN™. It is a powder that contains invisible microspheres that are time released and delivered directly to the infected areas. It is powerful, yet painless in the fight against periodontal (gum) disease. 

Connecticut Family Dental 
171 Grandview Avenue, Suite 103 
Waterbury, CT 06708 
(203) 574-2725 
www.CTFDental.com