Fun Dental Facts #1

 

 

 

Animal teeth Animals' teeth are different depending upon what foods they eat. Meat-eaters (carnivores) have sharp teeth. Plant-eaters (herbivores) have flat teeth. Animals that eat both plants and meat, like humans, have sharp teeth in front and flat teeth at the back. Sharks lose teeth each week. They get new teeth when they lose the old ones. They may have over 20,000 teeth in a lifetime. Crocodiles have 60 teeth in their mouth at any one time and can grow up to 2-3,000 teeth during their lifetime. Poisonous snakes have hollow fangs which eject poison. Giraffes have 32 teeth, just like humans. Elephants have four sets of teeth in their lifetime. Their tusks are the longest teeth in the world. Dolphins have more teeth than any other animal. Some dolphins have over 200 teeth. Scientists can tell the age of a dolphin by the rings on their teeth. Snowshoe rabbits fight with their teeth. Adult males, called bucks, fight one another with their teeth when they court the females or does. Baleen whales don't have teeth. Instead they have stiff, fringed plates, made of the same stuff as human hair and fingernails. They hang down from the upper jaw and trap small fish and other food.   For the original article, please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/tech/teeth/newsid_3830000/3830561.stm

How Do I Choose the Best type of Mouth Guard for my Child?

Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect teeth from injury from teeth grinding and during sports.

There are three types of mouth guards:

1. Stock mouth protectors are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting good stores and department stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit, they are bulky, make breathing and talking difficult, and they provide little or no protection. Dentists do not recommend their use.
2. Boil and bite mouth protectors also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. The "boil and bite" mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material. It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger and tongue pressure.
3. Custom-fitted mouth protectors are individually designed and made in a dental office or a professional laboratory based on your dentist's instructions. First, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material. Due to the use of the special material and because of the extra time and work involved, this custom-made mouth guard is more expensive than the other types, but it provides the most comfort and protection.

Generally, mouth guards cover your upper teeth only, but in some instances (such as if you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw), your dentist will make a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well. Your dentist can suggest the best mouth guard for you. An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict your breathing or speech.

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If you grind your teeth at night, a special mouth guard-type of dental appliance -- called a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint -- may be created to prevent tooth damage.

Who Needs a Mouth Guard?

Mouth guards should be used by anyone -- both children and adults -- who play contact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. However, even those participating in noncontact sports (for example, gymnastics) and any recreational activity (for example, skateboarding, mountain biking) that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a protective mouth guard.

Adults and children who grind their teeth at night should have a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint made to prevent tooth damage.

Why Use a Mouth Guard When Playing Sports?

Because accidents can happen during any physical activity, the advantage of using a mouth guard during sports is that it can help limit the risk of mouth-related injuries to your lips, tongue, and soft tissues of your mouth. Mouth guards also help you avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth, or even tooth loss.

 

Can I Wear a Mouth Guard if I Wear Braces?

Yes. Since an injury to the face could damage braces or other fixed appliances, a properly fitted mouth guard may be particularly important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. Your dentist or orthodontist can determine the mouth guard that will provide the best protection for your unique mouth work. An important reminder: do not wear any orthodontic retainers or other removable appliance during any contact sports or during any recreational activities that put your mouth at risk for injury.

How Do I Care for My Mouth Guard?

To care for your mouth guard:

• Rinse your mouth guard with cold water or with a mouth rinse before and after each use and/or clean it with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
• Occasionally clean the mouth guard in cool, soapy water and rinse it thoroughly.
• Place the mouth guard in a firm, perforated container to store or transport it. This permits air circulation and helps to prevent damage.
• Protect the mouth guard from high temperatures -- such as hot water, hot surfaces, or direct sunlight -- to minimize distorting its shape.
• Occasionally check the mouth guard for general wear. If you find holes or tears in it or if it becomes loose or causes discomfort, replace it.
• Bring the mouth guard to each regularly scheduled dental visit to have your dentist exam it.

For the original article, please click on: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/mouth-guards

5 Tips for Proper Brushing Technique

By Jennifer Larson in: Ask the Expert | Featured Article | Growth and Development | Health and Safety

If your little one is taking on the toothbrushing duties, make sure they’re set up to succeed with these tips for proper brushing technique.

Brushing teeth

   

1. Use a soft toothbrush. And don’t forget to switch it out for a new one after about four months of use. 
2. A light grip is perfect. Suggest that your child pretend that the toothbrush is a magic wand!
3. Use the proper position. Hold the brush in a 45 degree angle from the teeth and brush in small circles—it’s easier on the gums.
4. Aim for two minutes. You can suggest the child brush her top teeth for one minute, then her bottom teeth for two, or break it up some other way.
5. Don’t forget to brush the tongue, too. Brushing the tongue helps fight bad breath and offers an extra measure of bacteria elimination.

For the original article, please visit: http://dailyparent.com/articles/5-tips-for-proper-brushing-technique/