Tempted to Skip Teeth Brushing? Read This First!

So it’s the end of a long day: Maybe you already fell asleep in bed watching Netflix, or maybe you just forgot. What could the harm be in not brushing your teeth? Not following your oral hygiene regiment, including teeth brushing, can have a lot of negative effects.

Why Should You Brush Your Teeth Regularly?

Every time you eat, the bacteria that is in your mouth also eats the food. And, as gross as it may be to think about, all living organisms excrete waste after eating, and the bacteria in your mouth is no exception. The waste produced is very acidic and is enough to erode and break down the hard outer layer of your teeth called enamel. Long-term exposure to these acids is what can cause cavities and decay.

Plaque can also form when you neglect to brush. It can form in just minutes after eating a meal or snack. When given a long enough period, such as overnight, it can harden and then calcify on your teeth in the form of tartar. After that, only a professional cleaning from your dentist can remove it.

Hardened plaque along the gum line can also create inflammation or irritation of the gums. Your immune system may try to fight the plaque, which can cause the gums to recede. This can cause a loss of stability and could lead to teeth loss.

One night of not brushing will not immediately give you gum disease or cavities, but if it becomes consistent, these oral health issues can start creeping up. If you know that you have fallen asleep too early or like to watch TV in bed, there are a few preventative options to consider. Keep a glass or bottle of water near your bed so you can rinse any extra debris. Also keep floss on your nightstand, because flossing at the very least is better than nothing.

Things You Need to Know About Cosmetic Contouring

It’s all too common that the smile a person is born with is not the one they want. Uneven teeth or an otherwise less-than-attractive smile can be quite heartbreaking. If the way your teeth appear make you afraid to smile, or self-conscious around a camera, then perhaps teeth contouring is for you. First, here are some things you need to know about cosmetic dental contouring.

How Is the Procedure Performed?

Dental contouring typically involves one of, or both, of the following procedures: teeth reshaping and dental bonding. With teeth reshaping, the procedure is straightforward. Your dentist will use lasers or another dental tool to remove some of your tooth’s enamel to give it a more desirable shape.

Teeth bonding involves a slightly different process. Dental bonding involves applying a thin resin to your teeth which will stick to the surface and then harden. When combined with reshaping, this form of dental contouring can fill in cracks or chips, provide your teeth with a better shape, and even improve its brightness.

Teeth contouring is actually a quick procedure, especially in relation to other cosmetic treatments. In a single visit, it is possible to achieve the smile you have wanted your whole life.

What Are the Benefits?

An unattractive smile can negatively affect your self-esteem, which touches almost every area of your life. Having a smile that you are proud of can help you in your social relationships and even your mental health.

Surprisingly, though, teeth bonding and reshaping have more than just a superficial benefit. It can actually improve the bite of your mouth and reduce the damage that may have developed over time from a bad bite, teeth grinding, or even decay.

To learn more about cosmetic teeth contouring and reshaping and how it can help improve the look and health of your smile, contact Bella Smiles Cosmetic and Family Dentistry today!

The History of Dentistry

While certain dental technology is relatively modern, dentistry as a science has a deep, rich history dating back thousands of years, making it as old as many other medical professions. Here’s a little information about the history of dentistry that will make you appreciate modern dental care more!

Early Dentistry

Mentions of tooth decay and other dental issues can be found in texts dating as far back as 5000 BCE. The very first recognized dentist was an Egyptian scribe named Hesy-Re. The ancient Egyptians had their own system for treating issues of the teeth and kept a record of it on papyrus. While they and other ancient peoples had an understanding of dental problems, they couldn’t be sure what caused them.

Later on, Hippocrates and even Aristotle wrote about how to treat diseases of the tooth, but there wasn’t a textbook on dentistry available until the year 1530. That book was The Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth by Artzney Buchlein, of Germany. This would serve as the beginnings of the study of dentistry as we know it.

The Beginnings of Modern Dentistry

Dentistry saw a bit of a boom beginning in the 1700s. A French doctor named Pierre Fauchard wrote The Surgeon Dentist, a book detailing many now-common dental services such as dental fillings, tooth extraction, and the theory that sugar was the culprit behind tooth decay.

In 1840, the first school of dentistry was opened: The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. This gave rise to the formation of the American Dental Association in 1867, and from there on, dentistry was a regulated medical practice in the United States. Colgate manufactured its first toothpaste in 1873, and the rest is history!

Dentistry has come a long way from the time of the ancient Egyptians. Today, treating your teeth is a breeze! If you’re thinking about making a dental appointment, give Bella Smiles Cosmetic and Family Dentistry a call at 832-930-7858. Our friendly staff would be happy to fit you in for an appointment that works with your schedule.