Here are the two different types of Invisalign retainers:

Clear Retainers – These retainers are molded from clear plastic which fits over your teeth. These retainers are more discreet and less noticeable which makes them a popular choice for adults.

Acrylic Retainers – These are the most common types of retainers out there.

Here are 5 tips on taking care of invisalign retainers:

1. Clean Your Invisalign Retainers

Your retainers are going to end up accumulating a lot of food debris, bacteria and plaque which makes it
all the more important for you to keep it clean.

If you have acrylic retainers then make sure that you rinse them out a couple of times every day with
lukewarm water to remove any build-up of bacteria. Ensure that you disinfect your retainer on a weekly
basis by leaving it to soak in a body of distilled water with a little drop of castile soap or baking soda.

You can also make a paste with equal quantities of baking soda and water to scrub your appliance clean.
After which you can gently clean your aligner with it and your toothbrush and then rinse it out with
lukewarm water. Do not put your aligners into boiling water or use harsh chemicals.

2. Protect Your Retainers from Heat

Your Invisalign retainers are composed of plastic so it is hardly surprising that they are likely to become distorted under extreme heat. Always clean your aligners with lukewarm water to prevent your
retainers from losing their fit and becoming distorted. If you happen to leave your retainers exposed to
heat unintentionally then it is best to contact your dentist to ensure that they fit properly.

3. Avoid Soaking Your Retainers in Mouthwash

Soaking your retainer may sound like a good idea to get rid of any odor but it should be avoided at all
costs as mouthwash has a pigment that your retainer will end up absorbing which will make your teeth
appear to be a different color.

4. Watch What You Drink

Be careful about what beverages you consume with your retainers on and how it affects your dental
health. Continue maintaining good oral health by carrying your aligner case with you so you can store
your retainer in it when you drink any beverages.

5. Clean Your Invisalign Retainers Before Placing Them in their Case

Clean your old retainers and store them in their case when you are moving on to another set of
retainers in case you require them later. Storing your retainer properly and in a clean manner ensures
that they stay clean and ready for use.

Invisalign retainers are a great way to improve your smile in a very discreet and almost invisible manner.

Follow your orthodontist’s instructions and stay committed to keeping your retainers clean and
maintaining good dental health.

The post 5 Tips to Caring For Your Invisalign Retainers appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Effective tooth extraction aftercare can alleviate the pain, reduce the risk of complications, and ensure speedy recovery.
If you have been advised tooth extraction, the following four effective aftercare tips will help reduce the discomfort and the risk of the complications associated with it.

Always Keep Your Dentist in the Loop

Pain is fairly common after tooth extraction and lasts nearly a week to ten days. Keep your dentist informed about your post-extraction experience and unusual occurrences that are getting in the way of your normal life.
Though most symptoms following a tooth extraction subside within a week, it is important to watch out for unusual signs such as prolonged bleeding, fever, abnormal sense of touch, difficulty in chewing, allergies, bad taste in the mouth, or any sharp tooth fragments poking through the surgery site.

Take Care of the Blood Clot

Dry socket is one of the most painful complications of tooth extraction, which occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site fails to develop, dissolves, or dislodges. This blood clot serves as a protective layer for the underlying bone tissue and the adjoining nerves, thereby protecting the area from bacteria and food debris. Moreover, this clot is the foundation for the development of new tissue and bone at the site of extraction. Use the following tips to take good care of the blood clot, prevent dry socket, and accelerate the healing process.

Avoid Drinking Straws

The sucking movement caused by the cheek muscles when using a straw to have a drink may dislodge the clot, thereby leading to a dry socket. Hence, avoid using straws for nearly one week after the tooth extraction.

Maintain Pressure on the Gauze Pad

After the tooth extraction procedure is completed, the dentist will place a damp gauze pad at the site to protect the wound and encourage clotting. Lightly bite on this gauze pad at regular intervals until the bleeding reduces. This simple action can encourage clot formation.

Do Not Rinse Your Mouth for 48 hours

Though rinsing helps clean the mouth, this is not a good time to engage in forceful rinsing as it may dislodge the blood clot. Avoid rinsing or spitting vigorously for 24 hours after the tooth extraction procedure. After 24 hours, gentle rinsing with a saline solution or an anti-bacterial mouthwash prescribed by your dentist is advisable.

Stay Away from Cigarettes and Alcohol

Avoid smoking as it is a form of sucking, thereby increasing the risk of a dry socket and delayed recovery. Moreover, research has proven that the carcinogenic chemicals in the fumes hinder the healing process and increase the risk of infections. If quitting cigarettes is a challenge for you, talk to your dentist about when you can resume smoking or switch to nicotine patches.

Avoid mixing alcohol with medicines as it can dislodge or dissolve the blood clot and cause complex problems beyond your oral cavity, thereby retarding the healing process.

Take It Easy

Strenuous activities like bending, lifting, and exercising can result in increased bleeding, impeding the process of clot formation. Avoid rigorous activities for four to five days following the surgery.

Manage Pain Effectively

Once the anesthetic effect wears off, it is normal to feel some pain and uneasiness around the extraction site. The trick is to avoid waiting for the pain to worsen. In order to get the best pain relief possible, take the pain medications as prescribed by your dentist and don’t wait until the discomfort starts. If your prescription says that the pain medication is to be taken every four hours for the first 48 hours, adhere to it even if the pain hasn’t started or is bearable. Placing ice packs or cold towels on the outside of your face can help alleviate the pain and swelling immediately after the extraction.

Avoid taking pain medications on an empty stomach as it increases the risk of acidity, indigestion, and nausea. Though you may not feel like eating after a post a tooth extraction, make sure you consume some semi-solid food, such as applesauce, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and fruit yogurt to avoid drug-induced nausea.

Reduce the Risk of Infections

Any surgical procedure is accompanied by an increased risk of infection. Infection in the extraction site can lead to pain, bad taste in the mouth, and foul breath. Use the following tips to ensure quick and infection-free healing.

Complete the Antibiotics Dose

Your dentist will recommend an antibiotic regimen before or after the surgery in order to combat infections, if any. Make sure to follow the recommended dosage and complete the antibiotics course to prevent infection relapse.

Depending on the severity of the wound and your susceptibility to infections, the dentist may prescribe a seven-to-ten-day antibiotic course. Make sure you stock the antibiotics as per the prescriptions and adhere to the prescription at all times.

Also, the medications prescribed by your dentist may or may not be available in another state. Therefore, it is wise to carry your medications with you when traveling to work or out of town.

Pay Attention to Oral Hygiene

Proper hygiene is critical to prevent oral infections post tooth extraction. Check with your dentist on how you can maintain oral hygiene without causing damage to the surgery site.

Tooth extraction is, by no means, a pleasant experience; yet, by working with your dentist and following the aftercare instructions, you can alleviate the pain, reduce the risk of the associated complications, and promote rapid healing. Use the tips shared in this article to make your post-extraction healing process as comfortable as possible.

The post Tooth Extraction Aftercare: 4 Tips for Speedy Recovery appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Many kids love sugar and some are actually twenty times better at identifying
sugar than other kids — their genes are to thank for this. These kids will find it
even more difficult to decrease the amount of sugar they consume, but a good
trick is to let them eat a bit of sugar at mealtimes if they simply can’t resist
having a sweet snack. Eating healthy foods at the same time as a sugary treat
encourages more saliva to be produced in the mouth, which will protect their
teeth against decay by washing away sugar residue.

There are other things you can do to encourage healthy teeth and prevent
cavities.

Let Them Brush With Fluoride

Cavities develop from acids in foods, such as sugar that destroy minerals in
tooth enamel. But tooth decay can be reversed if it’s caught early, because
enamel can heal by getting the minerals it needs to be strong from fluoride in
toothpaste. It’s therefore essential for your children to be using a fluoride
toothpaste to protect and repair cavities before they get worse.
If you’re worried about fluoride consumption, teach your kids to spit toothpaste
out instead of swallowing it.

Replace Candy With Healthy Sugars

Your children will be glad to know that not all sugars are bad for them. Simple
sugars found in beans, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are natural. Such
foods also contain many other nutrients children need to be healthy, as well
as fiber. Foods high in fiber delay the body’s absorption of sugar, which isn’t
only good for teeth but prevents blood glucose levels from getting too high.

Find sweet veggies and fruits to feed your children to give them a sugar hit in
a healthy way. Examples include melons, papaya, berries, and carrots.

Encourage After-Snack Brushing

Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day, but if they’ve consumed
a sweet snack it’s a good idea to send them back to the bathroom for another
brushing session. This is because some sugary foods are sticky, such as
raisins and jelly beans, and they can get stuck onto teeth. Children should
brush this residue away so that they don’t cause cavities. Baby teeth have a
thinner coat of enamel than permanent teeth, so it’s even more important to
brush your baby’s teeth after sweet snacks.

Avoid “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay”

Get out of the the habit of giving your infants baby bottles that contain sugary
liquids, such as fruit juice. It might be marketed as healthy, but one cup of fruit
juice contains 23g of sugar, which is almost five teaspoons. If you're topping
up your baby’s bottle with fruit juice throughout the day, they could easily be
consuming 10 or more teaspoons of sugar a day. That’s way too much,
especially if you consider the sugar limit for adult daily consumption is six
teaspoons for women and nine teaspoons for men.

Start weaning babies and toddlers off these liquids by diluting their baby
bottles with water, slowly and over a period of a few weeks. You could also
switch them over to healthier liquids, such as milk that contains calcium to
fortify their teeth.

Stick To Dental Appointments

Have your child’s teeth broken through their gums yet? That’s a sign they’re
ready for their first visit to the dentist. Children should see their dentists at
least every six to 12 months so that they can prevent cavities from developing.
This also gets them into the habit of looking after their dental health as they
grow older, while showing them that dental appointments don’t have to be
scary.

If you’re not mindful of your children’s sugar-eating habits, their teeth could
become one of the casualties. Getting them in the habit of healthy eating as well as good dental care from an early age will go a long way to keeping their teeth strong and their smiles beautiful.

The post How To Protect Your Child’s Teeth From Sugar Damage appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The Link Between Oral and Heart Health

The spread of bacteria and other germs is what makes poor oral health a contributing factor to heart problems. It is estimated that there are between 500 to 650 different bacterial species in the oral cavity. These bacteria are kept under control by the body’s natural defense system and good oral health. However, with a lack of proper oral care, they can potentially lead to oral infections, which can in turn spread to other parts of your body through your bloodstream.

A study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed that poor oral health can result in infective endocarditis, which is an infection of the inner lining of the heart. This happens when germs and bacteria from the mouth spread through the bloodstream and attach themselves to damaged areas of the heart.

Additionally, a scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) mentioned that the link between inflammations caused by oral bacteria and atherosclerosis or clogged arteries may lead to stroke. Here are some tips on maintaining oral health during your senior years.

Teeth Cleaning

It is recommended that you use a soft bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss to clean between your teeth at least once a day. This is really important because it helps prevent the formation of plaque.

Denture Cleaning

Denture wearers should clean their dentures daily using cleaning products specifically made for it. Dentures should also be taken out of the mouth for at least four hours every day to help maintain healthy gums.

Visit the Dentist

A regular dental checkup supports the daily cleaning efforts made at home. It also helps in recognizing early signs of gum disease and tooth decay early.

Diet and Lifestyle

Everything that comes into the mouth affect oral hygiene. A healthy diet including fruits and vegetables is recommended to help the teeth and gums stay in good shape. Smoking is generally not good for your health, and it is known to increase the risk of heart disease in seniors. As such, it is recommended that you quit the habit entirely.

A great smile does not only reflect the beauty and confidence of a person; it can also lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other diseases. Seniors should take extra measures to keep their oral health in good condition.

The post Keeping Your Smile and Heart Healthy in Your Golden Years appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Garlic

One reliable treatment for oral pain is garlic. Garlic is especially helpful for tooth abscesses. Garlic can inhibit the growth of bacteria, thus easing the pain of the infection. You can put one or two cloves in your mouth and chew them. You can also create a paste by mashing a clove and adding a little salt. This treatment of using garlic for tooth abscess is effective, but it is also unpleasant for people who dislike the smell and taste of garlic. Don’t be surprised if you have to put up with a few vampire jokes.

Warm Salt Water

Warm salt water helps pain all around the mouth. It is especially useful for cavities because it slows decay. For the best results, mix one-half teaspoon of salt and eight ounces of warm water. Swish it around your mouth, focusing on the area where the pain is worst. After about thirty minutes, spit the water out. Do not swallow the salt water as that may make you sick to your stomach. Remember that the water should be warm so that it soothes and relieves, not so hot that it burns the inside of your mouth.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is a remedy that numbs pain for about thirty minutes. You can wash your hands, stick your clean finger in the clove oil, and gently rub it into the sore area. You can also soak some cotton balls in the oil and place the cotton balls into your mouth until you feel the sore spot start to go numb.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide works best if the pain is the result of a bacterial infection. It doesn't just wash the bacteria away like some remedies – it attacks it and kills it. To treat oral pain, buy a three percent solution. Swish the solution around in your mouth for about thirty seconds. Then spit out the solution and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. Do not repeat the treatment more than two times in 24 hours.

Ice

An ice pack is one of the easiest ways to ease an aching tooth, though its effects are short lasting. The best method is to put a cube of ice in a plastic bag. You may want to crush the cube so you don’t have to endure sharp edges. Wrap a piece of thin cloth around the plastic bag. Press the ice against the hurting tooth for about 15 minutes until the numbness sets in. Alternatively, press the ice pack against your cheek. You can repeat this treatment as often as you need to.

Bourbon

Bourbon, like any other kind of alcohol can cause temporary numbness. Pour a small amount of bourbon onto a cotton ball and place it against your hurting tooth. The relief lasts only until the alcohol evaporates. This absolutely is not a remedy for babies or young children. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can lead to nausea, vomiting and seizures. Of course, it's also never a good idea to dry to drink away your misery. Drinking alcohol does not decrease the pain and drinking too much can lead to addiction and other illnesses.

Conclusion

A toothache can make you absolutely miserable. It often disrupts sleep and causes problems at work as well. Of course, the best thing to do is to see a dentist right away. Most dentists are willing to squeeze you in for emergency care. Until you can see your dentist, thought, the remedies described above can help soothe your teeth and gums.

Author Mike Jones is passionate about natural living and alternative treatments. Mike tries to find new ways to treat himself with herbs and plants.

The post Natural Remedies to Help Soothe a Toothache appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.