Teaching Your Children About the Dentist
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Teaching Your Children About the Dentist

I work as a clerical assistant in a pediatric dental office, and I am commonly surprised by the number of children who are scared of the dentist. Many kids think that cleanings will be painful, and they believe they will be scolded for eating sugary foods. Children are also extremely frightful of the noises made by the water spraying tools and the suction devices. As adults, we know that dental cleanings are easy and free of pain. We need to impart this knowledge to our children so they know not to fear the dentist. I have provided blogs that will help you speak with your child about dental care. Good communication, trips to your own dentist, and online videos can assist you. So will good brushing techniques that will make your child proud to see the dentist. Enjoy my articles so you can help your child build oral care confidence.

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Teaching Your Children About the Dentist

How To Get Rid Of Black Spots From Chromogenic Bacteria Stains

Alfred Kelley

Black spots on the teeth can be frightening to see at first, because for many the first thought is decay. Fortunately, the actual cause of most black spots isn't decay but a type of bacteria called chromogenic bacteria. This bacteria reacts with iron in your saliva to create a black stain on the teeth. The following guide can help you understand and remove the bacterial stains permanently.

How the spots form

As stated above, it's usually a reaction between the bacteria and iron that leads to spotting. Often, the spots are most noticeable between teeth, near the gum line, and on the backs of the teeth. This is because these are the areas of the teeth most likely to have a higher plaque buildup.

Although bacteria are common in everyone's mouth, they do not remain on the tooth surface long enough to cause staining unless there is a porous material for them to grow upon. In the case of teeth, this means there must be plaque present to provide the growing base.

Basic treatment

Since there isn't a way to prevent the bacteria from getting into the mouth, one must prevent the buildup of plaque. Naturally, this includes brushing and flossing daily. The following tips can also help:

  • Invest in a small headed gum brush. This brush is designed to be used around the gum lines and between the teeth, which can help minimize plaque buildup.

  • Use a water pick to further help prevent plaque formation in hard to reach areas. This shouldn't take the place of flossing, though.

  • Cut down on iron supplements, unless your doctor recommends otherwise.

  • Go in for regular cleanings. The stains can usually be removed with pumice or a deep dental cleaning by your dentist. If you build up plaque quickly, your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings.

Special Considerations

Some tooth conditions also lend themselves to quicker bacteria growth and spotting. Chipped teeth that haven't been repaired sometimes have a rough surface, which tends to collect more plaque and thus more chromogenic bacteria. This is especially true of shallow chips that aren't immediately obvious. In fact, any rough surface on the tooth, whether natural or as a result of past dental work, leads to increased plaque buildup.

If this is the issue in your case, a cosmetic dentist can fix chips or buff tooth surfaces smooth so that plaque can't adhere as easily. They may also recommend veneers if your tooth surface is exceptionally rough or if you have thin enamel that can't take much smoothing.

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