Tooth Sensitivity

10 Biggest Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

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Are your teeth tender? From acidic foods to certain toothpastes, a number of culprits could be to blame.

Does eating frozen yogurt make you say “ouch” — or do you find yourself wincing when you brush or floss? You could have what’s known as tooth sensitivity.

But you don’t have to put up with the pain. In fact, there are things you can do to lessen tooth sensitivity and improve your oral health says Leslie Seldin, DDS, a dentist in New York City and a spokesman for the American Dental Association.

Here’s why you could be experiencing this mouth malady — and what steps you should take to ease the ouch:

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Besty Way to Floss Braces - Biermann Orthodontics

Got Braces? It’s Easier to Clean & Floss with a Water Flosser

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Cleaning Dental Braces

Dental braces can create oral health problems such as gingivitis and decalcification (white marks), which lead to more serious issues.

  • Gingivitis is the earliest sign of gum disease. It appears as red, swollen, and shiny gums that bleed easily. It is caused by plaque that irritates the gum tissue and causes an infection.
  • Decalcification affects your tooth enamel, causing white spots or lesions on your teeth. It is caused by a combination of plaque and acid production after you eat and drink. Decalcification is impossible to correct, so prevention is critical.

You can minimize or prevent oral health problems caused by dental braces with good dental and orthodontic care.

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Preventing Gum Disease - Biermann Orthodontics

Signs of Gum Disease

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Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)

Periodontitis, also generally called gum disease or periodontal disease, begins with bacterial growth in your mouth and may end — if not properly treated — with tooth loss due to destruction of the tissue that surrounds your teeth.

What’s the Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Gingivitis (gum inflammation) usually precedes periodontitis (gum disease). However, it is important to know that not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis.

In the early stage of gingivitis, bacteria in plaque build up, causing the gums to become inflamed and to easily bleed during tooth brushing. Although the gums may be irritated, the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets. No irreversible bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage.

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In a person with periodontitis, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums collect debris and can become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line.

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Best Mouthwash for Braces 2015

Best Mouthwash For Braces 2015

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Those who wear braces have a higher risk of getting plaque formed around the brackets. As a result it can cause tooth decay. Some of the patients when they take off the braces are left with white squares on their teeth. To cover them they need to get white fillings, which costs money and time. That’s why along with brushing your teeth and flossing an important part of your oral care routine should be oral rinsing. For orthodontics a good mouthwash should contain fluoride. Below we have reviewed the best mouthwash for braces.

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Best Electric Toothbrushes for Braces - Biermann Orthodontics

What’s the best Electric Toothbrush for Braces?

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Living with braces can be a challenging experience for most people. According to some studies, more than 4 million people wear braces in United States alone and about a quarter of them are adults. Wearing them can take up to 3 years and keeping a proper oral hygiene during that time is even more important than without them.

Tiny spaces between teeth, braces and wires are like a magnet for foods and plaque. Poor oral hygiene can attract numerous issues like gum diseases, periodontitis and delcalcifications, leaving permanent stains and discolorations on our teeth.

“Can I use electric toothbrush on braces?”

Of course you can! Superior cleaning and plaque removal are the top two features of electric toothbrushes. They are recommended by dentists from all over the world and their customized cleaning modes make them a perfect choice for people with braces.

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10 Tips for Healthy, White Teeth - Biermann Orthodontics

10 Tips for Healthy, White Teeth

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Not only do your teeth help you talk and chew, they can make or break your appearance. Here are 10 secrets for keeping your pearly whites in tip-top shape.

1. Go on a white-teeth diet.
If you’re quaffing red wine and black tea, or smoking cigarettes or cigars, expect the results to show up as not-so-pearly whites. Other culprits to blame for dingy teeth include colas, gravies, and dark juices. Bottom line: If it’s dark before you put it in your mouth, it will probably stain your teeth. Brush immediately after eating or drinking foods that stain teeth and use a good bleaching agent, either over-the-counter or in the dentist’s office. For convenient teeth-cleaning action, eat an apple.

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Benefits of Mouthwash - Biermann Orthodontics

4 Benefits of Using Mouthwash

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Brushing and flossing are the best ways to avoid oral health issues like gingivitis. If you add mouthwash into the equation you’re set for success. Mouthwash is an effective tool in the fight against tooth decay, gingivitis, as well as the promotion of healthy teeth and gums. Here are just a couple benefits from using mouthwash.

1)     Freshens breath – First and foremost, and most obviously, mouthwash temporarily reduces bad breath. With a variety of flavours to choose from, mouthwash kills bacteria associated with causing bad breath leaving you with minty fresh breath.

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Banish Bad Breath - Biermann Orthodontics

5 Surprising Ways to Banish Bad Breath

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By Douglas Main

Just as nobody likes a whiner, nobody likes bad breath. It’s a powerful way to make a bad first impression. But the good news is that there are relatively simple ways to take care of halitosis.

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Choosing the right toothbrush.

Best Toothbrushes for Braces

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By: Dalvir Pannu, D.D.S.

Brushing your teeth is necessary to having a healthy mouth, but when your brush is old, it can’t do its job. Toothbrushes with bent, worn or frayed bristles aren’t going to clean well between your teeth. Take a look at your toothbrush. If you see bristles that are flat, broken or no longer standing straight, it’s time for a replacement. Toothbrushes are also a breeding ground for germs – in fact, researchers at England’s’ University of Manchester found that an uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, some of which are linked to colds, stomach flus and variety of other illnesses. So even if your bristles look fine, it may be time for a replacement.

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Caring for your braces

Oral Hygiene for the Orthodontic Patient

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By: Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

If you thought brushing and flossing were important before you got braces…well, you were right. But people undergoing orthodontic treatment need to be even more dedicated to good oral hygiene. Read more about how to properly care for your braces, including brushing & flossing techniques, eating right, and caring for your retainer.

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