5 Reasons why You should Never Share Your Toothbrush

 

 

Has it ever happened to you to take the toothbrush from your family member by mistake and brush your teeth? Or sleeping over at your girlfriend or boyfriend's place, you forgot the toothbrush, yet you may not fall asleep without brushing your teeth. Well, it can happen and all the possible scenarios to justify why using someone's toothbrush at that point was the only choice, is going to change if you keep on reading this blog post. Even if we are a family, or partners, spouses each one of us carries millions of bacteria in our oral cavity which could be easily transmitted when sharing a same toothbrush. In addition, viruses and diseases can be also passed down easily through a toothbrush i.e through saliva and blood. 

The Difference between Composite and Porcelain Veneers

 

Since esthetic dentistry has been brought to perfection when smile design is concerned, the use of composite and porcelain veneers is a great choice for this purpose. This esthetic treatments addresses the following issues:

- teeth yellowing

- teeth discoloration 

- space between teeth (diastema)

- damaged tooth surface 

The most common dilemma people have related to this topic is the choice of veneers and they ask what is a better choice for them and what is the difference between these two types. 

The Connection between Smoking and Oral Health

Although many people today are aware and informed about the negative effects smoking has over their oral and general health as well, this seems not to be the right encouragement for them to quit. What is more dramatic, is the fact that the number of younger population that smokes, constantly increases and our aim is to make them think twice before they lit a cigarette.
Smoking is closely related to oral cancer and the chance to suffer from oral cancer increases if cigarettes are combined with alcohol. Smokers are more prone to periodontal disease, gum bleeding, increased plaque, teeth and prosthetic yellowing as well as staining that can not be fixed by teeth whitening treatment. In addition, the risk for premature tooth loss increases due to periodontal disease and complications during surgical treatment followed by infections due to the wounds that can not heal faster which is not the case with the non smokers.

5 Most Common Excuses People Use to Avoid the Tooth Floss

I use tooth floss only when I have food leftovers between my teeth

Tooth floss removes the food remaining between the teeth, yet this is not its only purpose. It also removes dental plaque and bacteria under the gums which can not be removed by using a toothbrush only. If dental plaque is left untreated, it builds up and leads to gum inflammation as well as cavities.

I can not floss my teeth because I have an orthodontic appliance

Even though having an orthodontic appliance makes teeth flossing difficult, this should by no means discourage you! On the contrary, take your time to maintain regular and thorough oral hygiene in order to protect your oral health. If you are not flossing while having an orthodontic appliance, the dental plaque accumulated between your teeth and gums will certainly worsen the state of the newly straightened teeth. In this case, we are talking about a special tooth floss used for orthodontic cases so called Super Floss. Ask your orthodontist how to ease the use of dental floss or which interdental brushes are suitable for you.

What is Cheilitis and how to Recognize It

Cheilitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the lips that could be either acute or chronic depending on its onset and course. There are different forms of cheilitis reported in medical literature such as:

 
· Herpes simplex
· Angular cheilitis
· Granulomatous cheilitis
· Orofacial granulomatosis
· Crohn skin disease
· Actinic cheilitis
· Exfoliative cheilitis
· Glandular cheilitis

Teeth Whitening at the Dentist vs. Teeth Whitening at Home

 

Usually spring time is associated with changes and since most of our clients do come for teeth whitening during this period, we decided to answer the most common questions for you and clear all doubts you might have had regarding this topic. In addition, we will answer what is the difference when teeth whitening is done professionally at the dentist and done at-home using whitening kits. So, let us begin:

1. What is teeth whitening and how long does its effect last?

Speaking of professional teeth whitening, it is described as a dental treatment using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide which breaks the stains into smaller pieces where teeth are bleached and the final result is a brighter smile. The effect is not permanent and the treatment is recommended up to 3 times per year and the treatment lasts between 60 to 90 minutes. In addition, it is good to mention that the bright smile effect will last longer if certain teeth-staining  food (beetroot, curry, blueberries etc.) and drinks (red wine, tea, coffee, soft drinks etc.) are avoided as well as smoking.    

4 Tips how to "Spring" Clean Your Teeth

 

Spring is a season of the year usually associated with new beginnings, cleaning up the house, rebirth of nature, body detox etc., yet this is also a season to dedicate some time for yourself and practice the “spring” cleaning of your teeth every day. You might be wondering what we mean by “spring” cleaning in relation to your oral health. It is most commonly associated with thorough, deep, regular and done in the right way. In addition, battling the bad habits, that would further exacerbate any existing health conditions, is another part that goes hand in hand with oral hygiene. We are sharing with you some tips on how to do the “spring” cleaning right.

Why You Should Stop Giving Sweets as a Reward to Your Child?

 

Being a parent is one of the most beautiful challenges in life. We all wish the best for our children in every aspect of their lives, yet when it comes to nutrition we are the ones developing and shaping their eating habits from day one. Healthy food, plenty of fruits and vegetables should be on the daily menu, however avoiding sugar is almost impossible nowadays. Can you imagine a birthday party without a cake, soda and chips? Can you tell a child not to eat them at the birthday party? Yes, we admit that this could be challenging, especially when kids are throwing tantrum or refuse eating the veggies and for the sake of having some peace, often treating them a candy or chocolate is the way plenty would choose. Of course there will be exceptions when a child will have some sweets, however limiting the amount to the minimum is the best you can do. If giving sweets for a job well done or to calm a child down becomes a regular practice, then there is a possibility for developing eating disorder and refusal of eating healthy food.

Korona Dental Explains why Fissure Sealing is Good for Your Teeth

What does it mean to have your fissures sealed?

The surface area of a tooth consists of pits (hollows) and fissures  (grooves) that help us chewing and grinding the food. This is the exact place where the food gets stuck and if teeth are not brushed and flossed properly, the chance for cavities is quite high. However, there is a solution that dentists recommend and that is fissure sealant which is used for prevention against caries for both deciduous (milk) and young permanent teeth. This procedure is applied to the lateral teeth whose anatomomorphology contains fissures and pits on the dental relief, which in turn causes rapid accumulation of plaque and the development of caries at an early age.

Answers to Most Common Questions Regarding Orthodontic Mobile and Fixed Appliances

 

Nowadays, a beautiful smile is an imperative and the best first impression we can leave. Straight and beautiful teeth are what an increasing number of patients want, and our task is to help them achieve that. The branch of dental medicine that deals with correcting the position and relationship of the teeth in the jaw, and the relationship between the upper and lower jaws is called ORTHODONTICS. The goal of orthodontics is not only aesthetics in terms of having "straight teeth", but properly placed teeth are important for the health of the whole organism, jaw joint, muscles and surrounding tooth tissue. Properly placed teeth in the jaw and mutual relations, enable even transmission of masticatory force, which protects the supporting tissues of the teeth, the teeth themselves from the load, excessive wear and decay by reducing and eliminating joint problems.

The tongue is a mirror of your health and it should be checked and cleaned on a daily basis. It is the most flexible muscle in our body, it helps us talking, swallowing and food tasting. When healthy, the tongue is pink and covered with papillae. In this article we will mention the most common tongue-related issues, their causes and gravity.

Thrush or yeast infection is most common in older adults or babies due to reduced immune system (cased by immune-weakening diseases such as Diabetes, Cancer, HIV, leukemia) or certain medications such as antibiotics. In case you have this condition, do visit the dentist to get a medical treatment. Here are the most common symptoms you should be aware of: 

When do Your Gums Need Help?

 

 It is well known fact that dental health should be taken seriously. Breaking the golden rules of regular tooth brushing, using dental floss and mouthwash as well as paying a visit to your dentist at least twice a year will only do you harm. Even though cavities is associated by many with poor dental health, there is yet another oral issue that is worth emphasizing and that is gum disease. Almost half of the adults over 30 at some point in their life will experience gum disease. The good news is that it is curable if treated on time. Yet, first you need to know if you have it right? Here are the most common signs you should look for  when brushing your teeth.

Bad Breath 

Bad breath a.k.a halitosis is unpleasant and many will try to cover it up with mints, mouthwash or breath fresheners however, if it is persistent one should not neglect it. There might be different causes for halitosis such as underlying gum disease, tongue bacteria, bad oral hygiene or acid reflux. If you are not sure whether your breath smells nice, you may try to smell the tooth floss or ask a friend for an honest opinion. Halitosis might be a hideous sign for an underlying gum disease. 

Oral Infections and Systemic Diseases

 

Can oral and dental diseases be the cause of systemic disease?

 Most certainly, the oral cavity and teeth are the most infectious focus in our body, which is why they can be the reason for the onset of focal disease outside the oral cavity.

What is focal infection and focal disease? 

Any inflammation that is focused and localized somewhere in the body and poses a potential threat to spread to certain remote areas of the body whether it is down to the mediastinum or up to the brain is a focal focus or infection. Diseases of distant organs and systems that are caused by limited pathological processes in the body are called focal diseases.

Most Common Questions Regarding Dental Implants

 

We have made a list of most common questions our patients ask regarding teeth implants and provide answers in a simple and understanding manner. In addition, we hope to clear up your doubts on this topic you might have had earlier. Let us begin:

1. Which is a better choice implants or bridges?

Dental implants and dental bridges address the same issue i.e they replace the missing teeth yet, in technical level they are two different options to consider. Once a tooth is missing, the neighboring area starts to deteriorate. When implants or dental bridge is inserted on time, this deterioration is stopped because the titanium post (implant) replaces the missing tooth deeper structure whereas the dental bridge is lacking the rootlike structure. 

Sugar Consumption in Relation with Teeth Decay

 

Holydays are coming and we all know that having a sweet tooth during the festive season is not helpful to resist the sugary temptations. Sweets come in different shapes, colors and tastes so it takes an extra effort to suppress the cravings for processed sugar. In this article, we will describe the negative effect that sugar has over dental and general health and share with you some handy piece of advice on how to protect your teeth.

When consuming food rich with sugar and carbohydrates, specific bacteria in our mouth feeds on sugar and turns into an acid causing tooth decay.

What Causes Bad Breath or Halitosis?

Halitosis or chronic bad breath can't be resolved by using that mints, mouthwash or a good brushing can’t help resolving. It remains for an extended amount of time and may be a sign of something more serious. 

What are the causes for Halitosis? 

Dental Issues: Cavities and deeper pockets from gum disease give bad breath bacteria extra places to hide in your mouth that are difficult to clear out when you’re brushing or cleaning between your teeth. Either can contribute to halitosis.

Mouth, Nose and Throat Infections can lead to postnasal drip that may also contribute to bad breath. Bacteria feeds on mucus your body produces when it’s battling something like a sinus infection, leaving you sniffy and stinky.

Diabetis and Oral Health

 

You might be wondering what the connection between oral health and diabetes is. This disease not only affects the eyes, nerves,  kidneys and  heart  but also your mouth. Uncontrolled diabetes significantly increases the risk of periodontal disease and affects the hard tissues. People suffering from diabetes have much fragile oral health than people who are not suffering from this disease which is why they should take a special care and pay higher attention. Most common issues diabetics face are:

-candidiasis (fungal infection in the mouth cavity)

- periodontitis (degenerative disease of the supporting tissue of teeth)

- tooth loss due to late treatment of periodontitis

- dry mouth

- caries

Osteoporosis and Oral Health

 

 What is osteoporosis?

 Osteoporosis or a porous bone disease is characterized by reduced density and bone thinning which affects negatively the overall life quality of a person. People suffering from osteoporosis are mostly prone to hand, vertebrae or hip fractures. It is well-known that the spine is our body-bearer; vertebra fracture may lead to humpback, pain in the back, lower back area as well as lower limbs, imbalanced body posture and decreased physical activity.

Bad Childhood Habits as a Reason for Orthodontic Issues - Short, Informative Interview with Dr. Dobrila Kangova , General Dentist at Korona Dental

The normal and correct growth as well as development of facial and jaw structures including muscles and soft tissues begins since early age when the milk teeth erupt; however, each deviation would contribute to development of orthodontic issues.

Which are the most common causes of orthodontic irregularities?

Great percent of orthodontic problems are genetically inherited, in particular the skeletal ones related with the jaw and the bones. They develop due to irregular functions, bad habits and premature extraction of primary teeth or prevalence of dental trauma.

 What do we mean by bad oral habits in childhood?

 The presence of a bad oral habit throughout the stage when the child grows and develops may cause an orthodontic issue. Until what extent the issue will develop, depends on the frequency and repetition of the bad oral habit, intensity and timeframe related with the age of the child. Most common bad habits include prolonged finger, pacifier and objects sucking, lip-biting and tongue thrusting which pushes the teeth forward.

The Impact of Oral Hygiene over Dental Health - short inteview with Dr. Tane Kasapov

 Dental hygiene is a concept including several measures and actions taken by each induvial to prevent diseases of hard and soft oral tissues. The essence of oral hygiene is about eliminating dental plaque and suppressing microorganisms. 

What is dental plaque?

 Dental plaque is a build up layer of bacteria that sticks to surface of the teeth. It is clinically defined as a resilient structure that adheres to the  intraoral hard tissues.

How to achieve an impeccable oral hygiene?

 Good oral hygiene is achieved with dental plaque removal through mechanical or chemical plaque control. Mechanical dental plaque removal is done by using a toothbrush, a toothpaste and interdental hygiene products such as tooth floss, interdental brush and Waterpik.