Your cat may be able to wash, but for his teeth, that’s another story. It is essential for one’s general health to take care of one’s oral health because cats are particularly exposed to dental problems: more than two-thirds of cats suffer from gingivitis before the age of two. Plaque and tartar deposits build up on your cat’s teeth and, if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems.

If you notice a brownish-yellow deposit on your cat’s teeth, bad breath, or difficulty feeding, this may be a sign of a dental problem or gingivitis. Another sign of gingivitis is the presence of a red border along the gingiva. Take your cat to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms.

Two simple things can help keep your cat’s teeth in perfect condition without having to brush them every day: regular vet checks (at least twice a year) and a special food that acts like a toothbrush, such as Hill’s ™ Vet Essentials Young Adult and Mature Adult Cat Products. The unique shape of the kibble has been specially designed to clean the teeth of cats deep down to the gum. 

Here is its mechanism of action: The kibble wraps the tooth when the cat crunches and cleans the tooth to the gum before dividing to take off all the plaque. The teeth of your cat remain white and without plaque … for a well-being assured! Bright, clean teeth make cats happy and serene.

Vet Essentials cat food is not only good for your pet’s four-legged teeth, but it also promotes lean muscle mass and weight control. They also contain ingredients of the highest quality for a delicious taste that will appeal to all cats.

Nine out of ten people around the world are at risk of having some kind of oral disease, from caries to gum disease to oral cancer, warns the  World Health Organization , which reminds that prevention begins in childhood and yet, even in developed countries, between 60% and 90% of children of school age have cavities .

Experts warns that “having healthy teeth, gums and mouths are aspects of health that people often take for granted until they no longer have them.” Experts say it is a “regrettable fact” because good habits and regular check-ups could prevent most oral health problems, “which is easier to happen if people know the importance of oral health”, admits.

Tobacco and alcohol

One of the most serious forms of this disease is mouth cancer, whose most important risk factors are the consumption of tobacco or alcohol and the human papillomavirus (HPV). Oral health professionals can play a key role in early detection by examining their patients for signs of oral cancer at check-ups. In both North and South America, the burden of this type of disease has decreased significantly since 1980, largely thanks to public health interventions such as the use of fluoride in salt and water, or the use of technologies Simple and effective in oral health care.

To achieve this evolution, the WHO reminds that oral diseases can be prevented through healthy habits, such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and fluoride mouthwash every day, Make regular revisions for both children and adults and avoid carbonated beverages, artificial juices, energy drinks, sweets and sweets, junk food and tobacco and alcohol.

Surely more than once you have woken up and spent the next few minutes, or even part of the day, wondering what the hell that dream you had meant.

Flying, being late to something important, rushing into the void, dreaming of pregnancy, being naked in public or falling teeth are some of the most common and recurring dreams among the population, despite cultural differences.

The dreams are still a mystery for the human being and, therefore, for science. We know the importance of sleeping for our body, but what happens during the REM sleep phase, when the images are so vivid that the brain needs to deactivate the muscle tone so that we do not hurt ourselves, it remains an enigma. Do those dreams mean anything? More specifically, how to interpret those in which we attend, anguished, to the fall of our own teeth?

Dream that your teeth are falling

A beautiful smile represents happiness, security, strength and beauty. A healthy and careful dentition helps you to convey an attractive image and plays an important role in relationships with others. Therefore, in psychology and at a general level, we can say that dreaming about falling teeth usually means insecurity, lack of confidence in ourselves, low self-esteem, whether in the personal or professional field.

One theory is that dreams related to teeth reflect anxieties about our appearance and the perception others have of us. Although they can appear at any age, recent studies show that women in menopause suffer this type of dreams more frequently, which would support the explanation that relates these dream contents with the fear of aging and loss of physical attractiveness.

Also, the teeth, which serve to bite, break or chew, also tell us about our inner strength. Thus, if we run out of them in dreams, we may feel vulnerable: unable to achieve the goals we had set ourselves, afraid of failing, of being questioned or ridiculed before others. We may be living in a situation where we cannot express ourselves as we would like, we cannot be sufficiently heard or we feel frustrated because someone does not pay attention to us.

Fear of changes

In addition to insecurity as a concept more related to this type of dreams, another explanation may be the fear of changes. The fall of the teeth supposes an event of great impact in our vital development. They grow during childhood, then fall when we go from this stage to adolescence to, later, go back out. Therefore, the fall of the teeth represents a period of transition in our lives. If you are going through some phase in which many changes are taking place and this creates you anxiety, then you are likely to have this kind of dreams.

Recurring and common dreams, most times distressing and unpleasant. Before them, experts recommend becoming aware first of the situations that may be disturbing us, then try to put the solution. A challenge that, although sometimes it seems very difficult, can be faced successfully.

Why do so many oral health professionals insist on the importance of night brushing, the one before going to bed?

As we already know, brushing teeth is the fundamental act for our oral hygiene, without forgetting other actions such as flossing or rinsing. We must do it 2-3 times a day, coinciding with the time after meals, with a duration that should not be less than two minutes in each of them. But it is especially important at night, since it will eliminate the remains of food and drinks that can cause damage to our teeth during the hours of sleep.

These are the main reasons why we should not skip that moment:

1. The bacteria are most active at night. It is during this period when the bacteria have more time to act and, by extension, to form the so-called bacterial plaque. Taking an average of 7 hours of sleep, it is possible to spend about 10 hours between brushing and brushing, those corresponding to after dinner and which should be performed after breakfast. That is why it is important to be frequent and constant with this practice of oral hygiene.
2. Lower PH level. When we sleep it is normal that the PH present in the mouth decreases, being a fundamental element for the neutralization of acids that are produced by the fermentation of food, which can be cause for the appearance of oral pathologies, of which the gums are inflamed or at the time of damaging the enamel.
3. The generation of saliva also falls. The organism’s own biological rhythm produces less saliva when we are sleeping, which conditions the aforementioned PH, which acts as an element of regulation and contributes to the demineralization of the teeth naturally.

 For the brushing to be really effective we must ensure that the brush is in good condition, with the bristles neither too hard nor excessively soft; Use fluoridated paste and complete the process with flossing and mouthwash.

The evident scientific and technological evolution of toothpastes leads us to observe in the market a wide range of options. The color, taste, texture, presentation and price are some of the parameters in the selection of toothpaste. Given the large number of ingredients used to make current toothpastes, these have generally been classified as follows.

Cleaning agents. Generally all products include detergent compounds that penetrate and lodge deposits on the surface of the tooth, favoring its elimination; the most common is sodium lauryl sulfate.

Agents that prevent cavities. Preventive dentistry considered essential the use of fluoride because it has been shown to protect against caries, in addition to?? Demineralize? The injuries once said evil has appeared. Most toothpastes include it.

Since fluoride should be administered in limited amounts to avoid negative effects, such as dental fluorosis; the current standard requires that the concentration of Luxor in a toothpaste does not exceed 0.2 percent.

There are studies that suggest limiting the fluoride content in products for children under six years of age to a maximum of 0.05 percent, or indicate that pasta with a higher fluoride content should be used in small amounts (one drop in size) and low the supervision of an adult. It is very important that the toothpaste is not used as a sweet tooth, since its intake can cause stomach problems.

Agents that prevent tartar. The most commonly used are pyrophosphates, which chemically interfere with the formation of tartar, as they block the receptor sites of the salts responsible for this process. However, it should be mentioned that the ant calculus agents do not eliminate the hardened deposits, which must be removed by professional cleaning.

Bacterial antiplaque agents. The plaque dentobacteriana is a colorless and sticky film that is constantly formed on the teeth and is the main cause of diseases of the gums, which can cause even the loss of teeth. That is why the constant removal of this film is of the utmost importance. Among the commercial antiplaque chemical agents is Triclosan, effective against a wide variety of bacteria.

Desensitizing agents. Hypersensitivity can occur in single or multiple sites. It is related to problems such as a dental fracture, new caries, and recurrence of the same or migration of the gum that exposes sensitive areas. To treat hypersensitivity, toothpastes may include potassium nitrate, sodium citrate and / or strontium chloride. For the prolonged use of these products it is advisable to supervise a dentist.

Polishing or bleaching agents. They are used to remove stains, the most frequently used being silica, aluminum oxide, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphates, among others. Useful for very pigmented dentures and should not be used when sensitive areas are exposed. Sodium bicarbonate can also act as a mild abrasive if used in sufficient concentration.

Other ingredients Flavoring agents such as peppermint, peppermint and other artificial sweeteners are included; there are also humectants that prevent the loss of water in the paste and gold’s that give body to the product, avoiding the separation of its components.

Do not leave all your treatment to your toothpaste, it is very important professional assessment, to tell you what is the personal requirement according to your health or dental diseases.

The first known reference to a toothpaste is found in a manuscript from Egypt in the 4th century BC that states a mixture of salt powder, pepper, mint leaves, iris and flowers, was called clist. To make it was also mixed powdered pumice stone, pepper salt water, ox nails, egg shell and myrrh.

In Greece and Rome, toothpaste was based on human urine, because it was considered to contain whitening elements. The Latin doctor Escribonius Largus invented toothpaste for that purpose, two thousand years ago. His masterful formula was a mixture of vinegar, honey, salt and glass very crushed.

The fish bones were used by the Chinese. In the middle Ages, the Arabs used fine sand and pumice as ingredients in the formulas used to clean their teeth, however they discovered that the use of these hard abrasives impaired tooth enamel.

In 1842, a dentist named Peabody was the first to add soap to toothpaste. The first commercial toothpaste appeared in Great Britain at the end of the 18th century, in the presentation of powder or paste packed in ceramics.

The Mayans used substances of vegetable and animal origin, such as the roots of the species called chacmun (Rauwolfia heterophyla Willad), which applied against the teeth to treat cavities, dental discomfort and halitosis, according to Fray Bernardino de Sahagun in 1557.

For the same purpose, they used other dental analgesics, such as live burned iguana ashes, powdered soot wrapped in cotton twine, the tooth of a rattlesnake put in vinegar or the gall of certain frogs. Another means of hygiene was chewing gum, originating in the jungles of southeastern Mexico, in the Gran Petén, the name with which the Maya knew this rubber was??, which means vital blood or fluid and the Aztecs with the name of ??

In 1850, Dr. Washington Sheffield Wentworth, a dental surgeon and pharmacist, invented the first toothpaste. Dr. Sheffield had been using his invention, which he called Crème Dentifrice, in his practical privacy.

Lucius S., son of Dr. Sheffield-observed the metal tubes used for the paints and placed the paste in this type of packaging.

After the Second World War, synthetic detergents appeared that replaced the soap used in toothpastes, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium sulfate.

The toothpaste as an ant cariogenic agent.

The investigation of fluoride in dentistry had its beginning in 1901, the dentist Frederick McKay, in Colorado, began the investigation by noting that many residents presented unpleasant and brown-colored spots on their teeth, which came to be known as Colorado Coffee Stain.

In 1909 the renowned Dr. GV Black, agreed to go to Colorado Springs and collaborate with him in the search for the cause of the mysterious disease.

Fluoride toothpaste appears in 1914 and is introduced to the industrialized countries in the late 60s.

In 1955, Crest toothpastes were leaders in the market due to recognition by the American Dental Association (ADA), a highly prestigious scientific association.

Many of the innovations in toothpaste were after the advance of fluoride, from 1980 the attention focused on two other problems, tartar and dental hypersensitivity. Thus, around 1990 dental pastes appear to eliminate tartar and promote healthy gums by introducing sodium bicarbonate and other ingredients.

We cannot leave aside the problem of alcohol and what this entails for oral health. The wear and tear suffered by the teeth due to the use and abuse of alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately it appears every time at younger ages due to external factors such as “botulin” which, together with a diet poor in nutrients, cause a negative effect on patients.

Teeth are not worn out by drinking alcohol in a responsible and intelligent way. Erosion and dental diseases arise from indiscriminate abuse and lack of good oral maintenance. But it is evident that these drinks possess an acidity that is completely detrimental. The tooth weakens due to these levels of alcohol and also affects the saliva, changing its pH and thereby generate a development of harmful bacteria and promote the appearance of oral diseases. The pH is fundamental to achieve a maintenance of the defensive components of the mouth.

So dedicating a few minutes a day to our oral health, eating a healthy and balanced diet, not abusing certain foods or substances, can be a guarantee of success to achieve a good general health.

Having a healthy and wonderful smile is not impossible. As everything is a matter of knowing how to maintain proper oral hygiene and try not to damage the teeth with food or acts that may be harmful to them. For all this is that today from Dr. Montana Dental Clinic we would like to reflect on a topic that seems most interesting and can help many people to get that smile that everyone wants to have, we are referring to the great enemies of the dentists: tobacco, alcohol and sugar.

By naming these three elements the truth is that we are not saying anything new that may surprise you. All of them have a completely negative effect on the oral health of people because they are not healthy and, therefore, affect the biosaludable rhythm. Try to lead a healthy and balanced life should be part of our lives and our daily habits.

The main enemy of your teeth, sugar

We will start with the “enemy” star of the professionals of dentistry: sugar. The caries originates due to the action of bacteria that exist in the mouth and that attack the tooth enamel. Some foods try to combat the effect of these bacteria and others that enhance the appearance and proliferation of these bacteria so that the consequence of caries is higher. If you eat a diet rich in sweets, cookies, sweets, where the main component is sugar and you do not follow a strict series of oral hygiene measures, it is very likely that this product will remain embedded in the teeth and make the task of the saliva to undo the sugar and thereby favor the arrival of caries.

But not only in sweets can sugar be found. We will also find it in industrial fruit juices, soft drinks, bottle teas or bread. In all of them, that component is abused and are conducive to causing the appearance of cavities. It is logical therefore to recommend a responsible and moderate consumption of them. As long as it is combined with regular visits to the dentist and careful dental hygiene, there is no need to fear for the health of our teeth.

Following with another negative factor for dentists we cannot stop talking about tobacco. A great variety of published studies have come to show that smoking is a leading agent that directly affects the development of periodontal diseases. In smokers it has been deduced that the consumption of this product alters the patient’s immune response against infections, they have a decrease in their capacity to repair oral tissues and at the time of wound healing the process dilates over time. These same analyzes and reports have also managed to create a series of procedures that are not indicated in smoking patients such as titanium implants where it has been shown that smokers have twice the risk of losing their teeth than those who are not. .

Much has been said about quitting smoking, but in matters of oral health here we leave a few to take it into account: your teeth will not have that yellowish color, reduction of periodontal diseases, improvement of the senses of taste and smell and forget about halitosis.

The first tooth came out and it was time to start worrying about the health of his mouth. How to take it to the dentist without being afraid? How to properly care for your baby’s mouth and gives you a series of tips for that first visit.

The first visit to the dentist

The first visit to the dentist should be pleasant. It is better that it be when you do not have any problem, as a control, and not when you have something serious. Because if not, the boy has a bad memory of the first time and can develop a fear.

It can be like a game. The dentist explains to the boy how the instruments work. You can also do a clinical and radiographic exam, which does not hurt. Or else a cleaning of the surfaces and a fluoride treatment.

The first visits to the dentist are a way to motivate the child to worry about dental health and to familiarize with the office, tools and experience.

When should the first consultation be made?

The first visit to the dentist must be done within the first year of life, when teeth begin to appear.

Around the first six months of life, the first teeth appear (lower central incisors) and, approximately one month later, the upper central incisors appear. During the next 18 to 22 months the other teeth appear until, at 24 to 30 months, the 20 temporary or milk pieces are completed.

Oral hygiene must begin before the primary dentition is completed, since the cavities may already be installed at that time. To prevent any type of disease, the most recommended is to visit the dentist twice a year.

Brushing techniques

For a correct hygiene of the mouth all the faces of the teeth should be brushed (front, back and the surfaces of cutting and crushing of the food).

When the child is small, parents should help with brushing. The task of brushing the teeth rests with mom and dad until, approximately around 5 or 6 years, the child’s fine motor skills are developed enough to brush their teeth in a simple and correct way.

The brush should be changed approximately every three months (or when it is damaged), since only in good condition can perform its function.

Tips for the first visit

Surely you also afraid of going to the dentist, it is an unpleasant situation for most people. But the important thing is not to transfer our fears to the children. You have to explain to them that the dentist only wants to take care of the health of his mouth and that there is no problem.

You must make sure that the dentist likes the kids. The worst thing that can happen to you is that you get a dentist who does not like children.

Once they leave the consultation they can go together to choose a fun toothbrush and toothpaste to start that same day with the cleaning.

More or less everyone has ever had a fear of the dentist. In our first visits, when we are small, we see all those devices, we hear all those noises and it is complicated that we can keep calm, no matter how hard the dentist or our parents try to calm us down.

The problem comes when this fear becomes a phobia, because from that moment people are unable to visit the dentist and maintain good oral hygiene.

That causes that it takes too much time to make the visit, so the complications can be much greater and more complex, more annoying and more expensive treatments.

One in ten people suffer from this phobia and their quality of life is affected by these problems.

Luckily, a study by researchers has found a solution based on cognitive behavioral therapy. It is a short-term therapy, of between 6 and 10 sessions, which manages to reduce dental anxiety and, consequently, also increase visits to the dentist.

This is great news both for patients, who can improve their oral health and quality of life, and for dentists, whose work is facilitated when there is a positive and relaxed environment in the consultation and dental problems are not so serious.