Unfortunately, it may be one drink you don’t want to drop from your diet if you don’t want to miss out on its many benefits.

We have long known that coffee contains antioxidants greatly benefit the skin, and that they have properties that play a crucial role in helping to prevent cancer. Well, guess what – a recent study published this month in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests the risk of death brought about by oral cancer is reduced among those who drink coffee.

Beginning in 1982, over 900,000 men and women became participants in this large-scale study. Over the course of 26 years, only 868 died from oral cancer. What did the others do that these 868 did not?

Other factors considered, those who drank at least a cup of caffeinated coffee a day were found to have reduced their risk of death from the said disease by 26 percent as compared to those who had no coffee intake. Those who took two to three cups of coffee per day had a 33 percent lowered risk. Those who drank even more – four to six cups a day – lowered their risk of death from oral cancer by 50 percent. According to the experts, further studies have to be conducted to determine whether coffee helped prevent oral cancers, or only assisted people in surviving it.

Regardless, this study has yet again proven that the age-old beverage does have properties that greatly benefit our bodies. Just remember, if you’re going to take up the habit of drinking coffee again, to swish some water around your mouth after drinking coffee to help prevent staining those white gnashers.

Luckily for patients, some dentists have adopted a fun way of distracting their patients from the pain that some dental procedures can cause. Patients can now watch movies in 3d while getting their dental treatment.

It’s called the Cinema ProMed System, and it was launched earlier this week by Total 3D Solutions, and uses the Carl Zeiss Cinemizer organic light-emitting diode screen. It sports the Zeiss OLED multimedia video glasses design, and shows patients a 2D or 3D movie. Patients can either choose from the dentist’s stash of videos, or they can plug in their own iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch and choose from their own list. Initially this was developed for children, but even adults are found to be enjoying it too.

According to test results it has helped to reduce anxiety and fear in patients while sitting in the dental chair and receiving treatment, due in huge part to being disconnected from the stressful clinical surroundings that can trigger these unwanted emotions.

According to a study done by Colgate, up to 15 percent of Americans refuse to visit their dentist because of the fear and anxiety that they experience. But with some dentists attesting to the ease they experience while conducting procedures on more relaxed patients (thereby improving procedures for both the patient and dentists), these hesitant patients may just turn into more willing ones, and will no longer postpone appointments until more complications develop.

A gap between teeth is something that a number of individuals have begun to sport as a fashion statement. Others still deem it to be an inconvenience and want to have straight teeth. But what are they, really? What causes these gaps to appear? Are there treatments available? If yes, what are they?

The medical term for teeth gaps is “diastema” (plural: diastemata). It is not an unnatural feature. It occurs with many people in the world, and most herbivores in the animal kingdom have diastemata as well.

The downside to having a diastema is that some people associate it with negative connotations. In past centuries, western history has it that women with midline diastema are deemed promiscuous.

On the flip side, there are cultures that appreciate diastemata. African women who have midline diastema are deemed beautiful. Men in their societies see this as a special facial feature and prefer having a partner with diastema.

Whatever the case may be, these are only cultural factors, and the decisions to have a diastema fixed should be entirely up to the person. Before anything else however, understanding the condition is an important step to achieve that over-all confidence that a smile can bring – a smile that is with or without a diastema.

Definition

Any space found between two teeth is considered a diastema. The most common type of teeth gap occurs between the two central incisors of the upper teeth, which is referred to as a midline diastema. Sometimes, it also occurs in the area where you can find the lateral incisors (which are the teeth beside your two front teeth)

Many herbivores have this feature, mostly found between the incisors and molars. This is how their teeth are structured, because when eating plants, all they need are incisors for cutting and tearing, and molars for chewing plant food (which needs constant grinding. Herbivores chew more than carnivores do); as opposed to carnivores, whose teeth are angled and sharp, with well-developed incisors all for tearing meat. Humans, being omnivores, have a bit of both.

Normally, teeth would be positioned side by side, but because of certain causes, diastemata may develop. Listed below are some causes of diastema, other than having missing teeth.

1. Diastema in Children. Sometimes, parents would take their children to the dentist worrying over the spaces developing between their teeth. In truth, this is no cause for alarm. At around 7 to 10 years of age (usually referred to as the Ugly Duckling stage), children naturally develop gaps between teeth because their milk teeth remain to be the same size, while their bodies are rapidly growing. Once the milk teeth fall out, and are replaced by permanent teeth, these gaps normally resolve on their own. The spaces close when bigger, permanent teeth fully erupt, pushing the other teeth in place.

In some children, those with overbites may also develop teeth gaps, in that the teeth are jutting out as opposed to pushing against each other.

Hormonal imbalance that causes the jaw to be larger than usual may also cause teeth gaps.

2. In adults, the labial fraenum – which is the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum – can be oversized and can come between the two  upper central incisors, thus causing the formation of a gap.

3. Similarly, an oversized lingual fraenum can cause gaps in the same manner that the labial fraenum does. The lingual fraenum is the tissue that the tongue to the bottom of the mouth.

4. An abnormal jawbone structure may cause diastema, as this renders it unable it to hold teeth in their proper positions.

5.  Discrepancy in jaw size and teeth size. If the jaw is big and the teeth are quite small, development of spaces between teeth can occur. In some races, having a large jaw is genetic. The Negroid race is an example of this.

6. Some habits can cause diastema. Tongue thrusting, or constantly pushing your tongue against the back of your teeth can create a gap between them. Also, the way you swallow food and drink can cause diastema: if you swallow with a tongue-thrust reflex (same as with the habit previously mentioned), this can create a space between teeth.  The same applies when you have mouth jewelry – such as tongue jewelry. Constantly playing with it can push the jewelry against the back of the teeth; eventually, a midline diastema may develop. Similarly, biting your lower lip can cause a diastema in your lower teeth.

7.  Gaps in one’s teeth can also be caused by gum problems, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease and, if left untreated, these spaces can grow bigger. With periodontal disease, some of the bone that supports the teeth (called the alveolar bone) is lost, thereby making the teeth become loose.

Can Teeth Gaps Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, not all teeth gaps can be prevented. The type of teeth gap you may have or already have depends on your habits, body structure, genetics, and oral and overall health. Maintaining teeth and gum health is one way to prevent gaps caused by periodontal disease. In addition, cutting the habits mentioned earlier can prevent the formation of an unwanted gap. Otherwise, your dentist can determine to which type yours belongs (if you are one who already has teeth gap).

Are there any treatments for Teeth Gaps?

Through cosmetic dentistry, teeth gaps can be treated. Cosmetic dentistry refers to any procedure that is meant to improve the appearance of teeth, specifically prosthodontics and orthodontics. The former is also known as prosthetic dentistry which generally deals with conditions related to missing teeth. Orthodontics deals with the treatment of teeth and jaw position adjustments and malocclusions.

As mentioned before, treatment will depend on the type of teeth gap you have. Some gaps remain throughout life, especially if this involves a discrepancy in jawbone and teeth sizes. Others are treatable, but not every treatable teeth gap issue can be solved by the same solution. Diagnosis is required before any kind of treatment is to be done.

Below is a list of possible solutions for teeth gaps.

1. Braces are the first solution that people think of when trying to close teeth gaps. This involves multiple visits to the dentists and may take months to years to reposition the teeth. For the longest time, traditional wire braces have been the treatment of choice. Although they can effectively treat gaps, they do not lend well aesthetically. And that is why, recently, innovations have been made to make braces appear discreet. Available now are clear braces made of ceramic material. Another type of braces that is rapidly gaining popularity among people who want to straighten their teeth are clear teeth aligners, which are a set of clear trays meant to move teeth. These are made of polyurethane material. Patients are usually given a new tray every few weeks to straighten the teeth. However, for minor teeth gaps, braces can be too expensive a treatment, so patients usually search for other less expensive means.

2. Retainers are usually used after braces to ensure the permanence of the new position of teeth. Other than the traditional retainers, clear vacuum formed retainers are now available for people who want to straighten their teeth without having to go through the awkwardness in appearance that traditional retainers give.

3. If your teeth gap is caused by an oversized labial or lingual fraenum, the dentist will conduct a procedure called a labial frenectomy before proceeding to work on the teeth itself. Part of the tissue will be removed if it is deemed an obstruction to the prescribed orthodontic treatment. Removing this portion does not have any significant side effects to speech, nor to the different mouth parts.

4. Dental bonding is also another procedure that can possibly close teeth gaps. This involves “filling” the gap by bonding a type of material to the teeth. It can be done in one visit, although patients may come to a point where the bonding needs to be redone or replaced, usually because it can eventually be discolored. Also, depending on the shape of the teeth, the dentist may require some filing and re-shaping before bonding is done. Closing teeth gaps through bonding can be achieved with only one visit to the dentist.

A disadvantage that comes with bonding however, is that if the gap is as wide as 3mm, the process may make the tooth look too big.

5. A veneer is a very thin material that is adhered on top of a tooth either to improve the color of teeth or to cover teeth gaps. It also discolors less easily than bonding material. They are made of either composite material or porcelain. A composite veneer is either built up on top of the tooth are pre-fabricated and later on will be bonded to the tooth, while porcelain veneers are pre-fabricated before they are bonded. With veneers, there is minimal filing or re-shaping needed with the original teeth. As opposed to bonding, using veneers to close your teeth gap requires at least two visits to the dentist.

Non-permanent veneers have also been developed and made available to anyone who prefers this method. Non-permanent veneers are reusable and made of flexible material. Creating impressions of existing teeth can easily be done at home by way of DIY kits. The mould is then sent to the lab where the veneers are created, and the finished product is sent back to the patient through mail.

6. Lastly, this is a method that many people have used to close minor diastema. Minor teeth gaps are gaps that are only 0.1 to 3.5 mm wide. Since wire braces and vacuum formed braces are too expensive, some people choose alternative, non-invasive and less expensive treatments to close their teeth gaps. Teeth bands, like Orthofill, can close minor teeth gaps.

To close your teeth gap, a band is placed around the two teeth with the gap in between them. The band is usually worn for twelve hours per day for a duration of at least 30 days until the gap is closed. Usually, this first phase is done during sleeping hours. Upon waking up, or after 12 hours since the band was worn, it should be taken off and discarded, and a new band must be used on the next night. After it closes, the permanent position of teeth are maintained by using retainers, or by wearing the bands for 24 hours daily for a duration of at least 30 more days. It is advised that you close one gap at a time, though some have reported success in closing two gaps at one time.

Over all, teeth gap or no teeth gap, achieving the best smile fit for you and your personality can give you many benefits that you may have been unaware of. Confidence in one’s appearance lends well to the way we interact with others and the way we present ourselves. Even the appearance of your teeth can make that difference.

Merry Christmas! It’s only a little more than a week before one of our favorite holidays come. If you’ve got little ones in your household, now is the perfect time to be scrounging around for exciting ideas for your little bundle of joy to enjoy come Christmas Day; and what better way to do this than through edible treats! What’s more, since they’re very easy to make, the kids will love making it with you. The treats in this blog post are relatively safe to make – just guide your kids.

Just remember, these are sweets and if your kids have dental issues like teeth gaps, just be sure their chompers get cleaned up nice and good to avoid cavities.

Now on to these edible crafts for Christmas!

1. Christmas Fruit Tree

You’ll need an assortment of fruits, cookie cutters, toothpicks and a Styrofoam cone that you can purchase from a craft store. A green cone is best, but if white is all you have, then you can wrap it in green paper before proceeding.

Create different shapes out of the fruit slices. Along with this, you can use small ones like grapes and leave them in their original form.

Attach the toothpicks to the Styrofoam cone, and attach your fruits until you create a little Christmas Tree. Pack them dense if you want, and then place cilantro leaves at the bottom to garnish.

You can use them as edible center pieces as well!

2. Meringues

This treat requires some heating, so you may want to keep your kids out of this portion of the whole process or guide them accordingly.

You’ll need 2 egg whites, 125g of caster or confectioners’ sugar, green food coloring and edible star-shaped decorations.

Pre-heat your oven at 120 degrees Celsius. To make the meringue, beat the egg whites and gradually add the sugar. Mix in a bit of food coloring until you get the color that you want. Place this mixture into a piping bag. A star-shaped tip is best for this, and creates bite-sized cones. Add a star on top of each.

Bake your little trees for about 30 to 45 minutes. The longer you bake it, the drier it gets. Some people like their meringues with a soft center, so if you want to do that, bake yours at a short time. Once ready, turn off the heat and slightly open your oven; let them cool in there before popping them out to serve.

Experts say that the condition of our mouths can reflect whatever else is happening in other parts of our body (and we talked about some of it in a previous post). We’ll talk about another oral problem that could indicate other issues in our body: halitosis.

In common terms this is known as bad breath, and is tied to many possible causes that includes but is not simply limited to oral hygiene. Read below to find out what can possibly cause halitosis.

1. The most obvious and common reason for bad breath is bacteria and food particles in the mouth that have remained for quite some time.  These food particles can rot and emit bad odors. These same particles can possibly encourage the growth of bacteria that, aside from causing tooth decay and gum disease, can cause bad odor. Not being able to clean intraoral appliances thoroughly (dentures, braces, retainer, etc) can lead to the same effect.
2. Certain foods cause bad odor, such as onions or garlic. One can easily remove it by taking a mint of breath freshener, as odors caused by these potent foods are usually temporary.
3. Not having enough carbohydrates in your diet may also cause bad breath because the body will then use up the fats as a source of energy, thus producing ketones that produce bad breath.
4. A number of conditions can cause bad breath, including: gum disease, infections in the throat or respiratory tract, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, as well as gastrointestinal reflux disease and lactose intolerance.
5. A dry mouth can cause bad breath, since saliva helps to remove food particles from the mouth. Having a dry mouth may be caused by constantly breathing through the mouth, certain medications, or gland problems.

If you feel you have symptoms of halitosis see your doctor, especially when it is related to issues coming from other parts of your body.

Malocclusion, as opposed to teeth gap, occurs when there is not enough space for all of one’s teeth. This may result in various conditions including having an open bite (where one’s front teeth are not aligned and cannot close with the upper teeth resting on lower teeth), or a snaggletooth, among others – stray canine teeth growing to make one seem like he has fangs (it’s for that reason that people also call it “fang teeth”).

Everywhere in the world, most people would run to the dentist to have their teeth gradually pushed into place. Everywhere – except in Japan, where the snaggletooth is getting as popular as the latest pop hit. Locally, it is called “yaeba.”

So popular in fact, that they’ve gathered snaggletoothed lasses to form a girl group called TYB48.

To most, it is strange to sport a snaggletooth, which we associate with sinister sidewalk characters or ugly, decrepit witches in stories of fiction; but the Japanese certainly have a way of pulling off things most of us can’t.

Although there are scientific explanations behind how humans perceive beauty, preferences based on culture still apply.

Pedomorphism is the retention of childlike features into adulthood. According to science and research, women with more childlike features have been found to be more attractive to males because these signify youth and therefore better childbearing capabilities.

This is also why we are easily endeared towards pets whose facial proportions resemble that of a baby, such as dogs and cats.

No wonder then that Japanese women rush to dental salons to get that now-coveted snaggletooth.

Why is malocclusion considered a juvenile feature? This is a normal occurrence among some children since the teeth are constantly adjusting to a growing jaw. Braces are usually needed when the dentist says so; otherwise, it eventually resolves on its own. So, when males see crowded teeth, they are subconsciously reminded of youth.

That doesn’t necessarily mean one should then run to the nearest dental salon to contort, re-adjust, or add features that make one look younger. Like the old adage goes, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Risks that come with such procedures must be considered, and if these physical procedures do more harm than good especially in later years, then it may be best to re-think decisions.

Status symbols give us a peek in the current cultural values within that society; in most developing commercial countries, status symbols come in the form of purchased goods. Possession of expensive items elevates ones rank and earns him or her some recognition from society. In the eyes of society, it reinforces a person’s membership in a particular socio-economic stratum, or associates them to the group to which they aspire to belong.

This being the case, in some developing countries in Asia – particularly Indonesia, Thailand and China – there has been a growing trend in the use of braces among the youth, which we well know is a treatment that remains to be expensive everywhere across the globe. This too is why people look to other less expensive alternatives especially when problems are as minor as teeth gaps.

Sporting wired smiles puts these kids on top of the pecking order, and at a time in their lives when a want to assert individuality is perhaps strongest, teens (who are finding it to be a boost in physical appeal) are the main market for this trend. However, the consequences arising from it have led to a growing concern among dental professionals, as many of these teens have braces applied even on a perfect set of teeth.

With dentists refusing to place braces where there is no need of one, teens (and now a number of adults) run to street dentists or dental technicians with no expertise on diagnosing dental problems. This has also led to the proliferation of the black market for cheaper DIY braces. The Thai government has attempted to solve this via an imposed ban on the sale of these items, but this has only pushed sellers to venture online, enabling them to expand their market. In Indonesia however, it remains a legal commodity.

The cheap braces, which come in many fancy colors and designs, are made of dubious materials — and possibly contaminated —  that may cause rather serious injury and eventually, death. Two teens in Thailand were reported to have died following the use of braces sold in open-air stalls; one of them suffered a thyroid infection, and the bacteria that traveled through the bloodstream eventually caused heart failure.

In an otherwise healthy set of gnashers, braces can unfavorably alter the position of teeth, mouth and jaw and can possibly cause temporomandibular joint disorder – pain associate with the joint connecting the jaw to the skull that comes with a considerable number of symptoms and possible complications.

Social stratification occurs naturally among people, but when symbols of affluence do more harm than good, it is perhaps time to rethink one’s choices before jumping on the bandwagon.

Ottawa On (PRWEB) December 03, 2012

Teeth bands are now being sold at very low prices for the third Christmas Promo offered by Orthofill, the leading provider for safe, less expensive, alternative and non-invasive solutions for teeth gaps.

For a limited time beginning December 2, 2012, Orthofill is offering more than 50% worth of discounts on their teeth band packages. With the onset of the shopping season, discounts mean savings for people who are preparing their budgets for presents and celebrations this Yuletide season.

This is the last leg of their Christmas promos for this year which comes at an opportune time: as the New Year closes in, Orthofill invites their potential clients to sport a new smile for 2013 in 30 days from the first use.

Using the tooth bands is simple: one only has to place one band over the teeth with a gap in between them and wear them for 12 hours overnight for the initial 30 days, until the gap is closed. To ensure that teeth stay in their new positions permanently, the bands should be worn round the clock for another 30 days thereafter.

Purchasing Orthofill’s teeth bands is risk free. Clients get their money back 100% should they find results unsatisfactory provided that all instructions on usage were followed.

To find out how much savings one can make, visit Orthofill’s pricing page.

For more information on the treatment of minor diastemas, proper product usage, treatable cases and other case studies, visit Orthofill at http://www.orthofill.com

For news and updates, like them on Facebook, as well as follow them on Twitter.

About

Orthofill is a company owned by Clicking Labs, Inc. With dedication and perseverance, they were able to bring together a team of multi-talented individuals to provide the world with creative and interesting marketing strategies to drive success to its clients. It has stations in Ontario, Canada and Cebu, Philippines.

PR from: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/12/prweb10179061.htm 

What about the black side? You may presume that surely, no one wants black teeth; but contrary to popular belief, various cultures in the world deem blackened teeth beautiful. If anyone had teeth gap, they would simply disappear in the black dyes.

In most cases, dying the teeth black was done by more women than men, although the custom is or was practiced by both genders. Some tribes still dye their teeth black, while in other places, its popularity has nearly died. This was usually done to mark one’s coming out in society, or as a mark of maturity. These customs are predominantly found in several parts in Asia. Below are two examples:

1. In Japan, the practice of blackening teeth is called ohaguro. Women would dye their teeth by dissolving iron filings in vinegar to produce ferric acetate, which is then combined with tannins in tea powder or gallnut powder and the solution thus turns black. It is not soluble by water. These days, there are only a few places and occasions where this custom can be witnessed: in some hanamachi (geisha houses), holidays or festivals, or in films.
2. In the Philippines, on the other hand, a tribe in Southern Mindanao called the B’laan deem blackened teeth to be beautiful and fitting for humans, because white teeth are associated with the teeth of animals. They darkened their teeth not only for aesthetic reasons, but also because it helps prevent tooth decay. They did this by filing their teeth with a rough stone and then rub their teeth with the ash from heated coconut husk burnt in wood fire. The elders of the tribe lament, however, that they are beginning to see the death of their traditions as the younger ones no longer wish to continue teeth blackening due in huge part to the teasing that they get from children in other religious and ethnic denominations.

According to experts, cultures that practice teeth blackening have been found to be able to keep all their teeth until old age, as it coats the teeth with substances that serve as barriers against bacteria.

Whether or not ancient civilizations developed tooth gaps and other complications from wearing traditional oral jewelry, only the experts know. But oral jewelry which has become popular in the recent decades traces its history a long way back. Ancient Aztecs, Mayans, and the tribes of America pierced their tongues in the belief that this enabled them to communicate with their deities and gods. Application of oral jewelry was more a religious ritual performed by high priests and religious leaders of the time than anything else. Oral piercings were also worn among members of African tribes.

Today it’s a fashion statement. Once upon a time it was mostly worn by punk rock aficionados or adherents of a gothic lifestyle, but as the decades pass the stereotypes are dissipating and more types of people are able to appreciate the style.

Now, obviously this is the part where we tell you there’s a catch – a number of them, actually. And then depending on your stock of information, your reactions may vary from yeah-I-read-about-that to OMG-I-will-never-have-my-tongue-pierced-everrrrr!

But let’s get on with the meat of this stuff. According to experts:

1. Playing with tongue jewelry can develop tooth gaps as repeated pressure is unconsciously applied to the front teeth, resulting in midline diastema.
2. Barbells and lip piercings can cause damage to the gum tissue, and when left uncared for may require one to undergo surgery on the gums.
3. Some mouth piercings can cause gums to recede, exposing the roots of the teeth to easy access by bacteria and acids, eventually leading to tooth decay.
4. Infections can arise from mouth piercings while the wounds are healing. This possibly allows oral bacteria to travel through your bloodstream and reach your heart or brain, causing problems in those areas. Treatment, as we well know, is very expensive.
5. Oral jewelry can make it harder to clean the mouth, which can give rise to another set of oral problems.