Cosmetic Dentistry Blog at My Dentist USA

Study Shows Women Have Better Dental Hygene Than Men

In a nationwide survey, from the American Dental Association, based on telephone interviews with 1,014 adults conducted in December 2003 it was found that:

25% of those surveyed brush their teeth after every meal, reflecting a steady increase. In 2001, that number was 15%; in 2000, it was 18%; and in 1997, it was 12%.
One in five -- 19% -- brush their teeth once a day (almost the same percentage as previous years).
53% brush their teeth twice a day -- a drop. In 2001, it was 60%, in 2000, it was 63%, and in 1996, it was 64%.
Women were more likely than men to brush teeth after every meal: 29% of women vs. 21% of men.
Men were more likely to brush just once a day: 25% of men vs. 13% of women.
Women were more likely to have a dentist than men: 89% of women vs. 75% of men.
As for daily dental floss use, 51% use it, up slightly from 48% in 1997.Maybe it's time men started practicing oral hygiene.

Are you a male that admittedly needs to start developing better oral hygiene habits?

Start by visiting My Dentist USA today to get all the information you need for that sharper, brighter smile.

Labels: ada

11:53 AM

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Gum Disease Periodontal Disease Symptoms and Prevention

There are many factors that contribute to periodontal disease, or gum disease. Although it is true that gum disease is primarily caused by plaque build-up, smoking, poor dental hygiene (such as leaving food between teeth for long periods of time because of badly aligned teeth), partial dentures or bridges that don't quite fit right, and poor diet are all contributing factors to periodontal disease. The real issue with plaque is that it builds up slowly, over a long period of time, so that the build-up doesn't cause any real pain until there's a problem.

That's why good dental hygiene and proper teeth alignment is so important to the health of your gums and, ultimately your teeth. If you can catch plaque build-up in it's beginning stages, the better chance you'll have of controlling or eliminating gum disease. Awareness of the signs of beginning gum disease is critical. Here are some of the typical symptoms of gum disease to watch out for:

bleeding gums
swollen, red gums
gums that have pulled away from your teeth
loose teeth or shifting teeth
halitosis or bad breath

These are only a few of the possible symptoms of gum disease. Ask your cosmetic dentist for more information on periodontal disease. If you suspect that you may suffer from gum disease, get checked out immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to restore your gums and teeth.

For more information on periodontal disease, check out the American Dental Association's website.

Thanks for visiting My Dentist USA!

Labels: ada, american dental association, eliminating gum disease, gum disease, periodontal disease, symptoms of gum disease

7:10 AM

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

What should I look for when choosing a dentist?

There are several key factors to consider in your search for a new dentist. Perhaps most important is whether or not the dentist is a member of national, industry accepted dental associations, like the American Dental Association (ADA). ADA members are highly educated and pre-screened, ensuring a normative standard of care and experience.

The American Dental Association has developed some standard guidelines to keep in mind while you're looking for a new dentist:

First and foremost, you may want to consider several dentists before making your decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if this is the right dentist for you. Consider the following:

Is the appointment schedule convenient for you?
Is the office easy to get to from your home or job?
Does the office appear to be clean, neat and orderly?
Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
Does the dentist explain techniques that will help you prevent dental health problems? Is dental health instruction provided?
Are special arrangements made for handling emergencies outside of office hours? (Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or emergency referral service if they are unable to tend to emergencies.)
Is information provided about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled?
Is your dentist a member of the ADA? All ADA member dentists voluntarily agree to abide by the high ethical standards reflected in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct as a condition of their membership.

You and your dentist are partners in maintaining your oral health. Take time to ask questions and take notes if that will help you remember your dentist's advice.

For more information on how to choose a dentist and frequently asked questions about procedures, visit My Dentist USA today!

Labels: ada, Certified Dentist Search, Searching for a Dentist

1:24 PM

Monday, November 24, 2008

Baby Boomers Oral Health - Keeping Your Teeth

If you're one of the 75 million Baby Boomers in the United States today, you're probably considering the future of your teeth. Questions like "How long will they last?" and "What steps can I take now to preserve them for the future?" are good questions to ask, as gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among Baby Boomers today.

The American Dental Association has launched an Oral Health Awareness Program focused on the Baby Boomer generation, based on extended life expectancy and noting that "60 is the new 40."

As always, the answers to these questions lie in good oral hygiene practices coupled with regular visits to your dental professional.

More information on the American Dental Association's Baby Boomer Oral Health Awareness Program is available through the ADA website.

Thanks for visiting My Dentist USA!

Labels: ada, baby boomers, gum disease

11:36 AM

Friday, November 21, 2008

Women Have Better Dental Habits

In a nationwide survey, from the American Dental Association, based on telephone interviews with 1,014 adults conducted in December 2003 it was found that:

25% of those surveyed brush their teeth after every meal, reflecting a steady increase. In 2001, that number was 15%; in 2000, it was 18%; and in 1997, it was 12%.
One in five -- 19% -- brush their teeth once a day (almost the same percentage as previous years).
53% brush their teeth twice a day -- a drop. In 2001, it was 60%, in 2000, it was 63%, and in 1996, it was 64%.
Women were more likely than men to brush teeth after every meal: 29% of women vs. 21% of men.
Men were more likely to brush just once a day: 25% of men vs. 13% of women.
Women were more likely to have a dentist than men: 89% of women vs. 75% of men.
As for daily dental floss use, 51% use it, up slightly from 48% in 1997.Maybe it's time men started practicing oral hygiene.

Are you a male that admittedly needs to start developing better oral hygiene habits?

Start by visiting My Dentist USA today to get all the information you need for that sharper, brighter smile.

Labels: ada, Dental Habits

11:17 AM

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Amalgam Fillings Bad? Not So Says ADA.

There is a long time fear that amalgam (silver) fillings are bad for your health, especially in the brain development of young children and their neurological status. However after a report done by The Journal of the American Dental Association they found that, there was indeed, no harm done.

Mercury is known to be toxic in it's natural state to the human body, but combined with other metals such as silver, copper, tin and zinc, it forms a safe and stable alloy. Despite the alloy, many people feared the mercury would still be toxic to the human body, especially in children, since many children get their first fillings with their first cavities at relatively young ages.

During the seven year study they compared two groups of children, one with amalgam fillings and one using a resin based filling. After the study, there was no difference in neurological tests. And any diminishing neurological activity that was found, was found equally in both groups and attributed to normal childhood to adolescent aging.

So you can be confident that if you have the old "silver" fillings, that you're not in any danger at all. However, if the amalgam fillings are "unsightly" to you, you can always look for a Cosmetic Dentist to replace them with tooth colored resin fillings to perfect that beautiful smile that you have.

Search for you Cosmetic Dentist today at My Dentist USA.

Labels: ada, amalgam fillings, news

1:34 PM