Anthony Alfonso

The Process of Getting a Same Day Crown

How Much Tooth is Needed for a Dental Crown? - Laurich Dentistry — The Process of Getting a Same Day Crown

A dental crown is a restoration that might be recommended when a tooth is moderate-to-severely damaged. These restorations are designed to restore your smile to optimum health, function, and decay.

What is a Same Day Crown?

A dental crown is a restorative dentistry option that professionals who perform holistic dentistry in Durango, CO may recommend if you have a tooth that is either moderately or severely damaged. These restorations are designed to give you a smile that is beautiful and functions properly again.

The Cleveland Clinic explains that dental crowns are caps placed on top of teeth, and are used to protect, cover, and restore the shape of your teeth when fillings won’t correct the issue. These crowns can be made out of metals, porcelain, resin, and/or ceramics. Normally, they don’t require special care other than maintaining good oral hygiene.

Teeth can become damaged for a few different reasons, like injury, decay, or just normal wear and tear as you age. Additionally, teeth can lose their shape and size. The cap that the crow provides acts like a snug hat to your tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. The crown is cemented into place on your tooth and it covers the visible portion of the tooth.

Who Needs a Crown?

A person might need a dental crown for a few different reasons. For example, a crown could be beneficial if you need to:

Protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold parts of a cracked tooth together
Restore a tooth that is already broken or a tooth that has been severely worn down
Cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left
Hold a dental bridge in place
Correct misshapen or severely discolored teeth
Cover a dental implant
Make a cosmetic modification

Alternatively, WebMD sometimes children may need a crown on a baby tooth in order to:

Save a tooth that has been so damaged by decayed that it can’t support a filling
Protect the teeth of a child who is at high risk for tooth decay, especially when a child has difficulty maintaining their oral hygiene routine
Decrease the frequency of general anesthesia for children unable because of age, behavior, or medical history to fully cooperate with the requirements of proper dental care

What is a Same Day Crown?

A CEREC crown, Healthline explains, is often made out of ceramic and is designed, created, and installed in the same day using modern technology. CEREC, which stands for chair side economical restoration of esthetic ceramics, allows you to get your treatment done in just one day, versus having to wait as long as 2 weeks for a new crown. Dr. Berry will use computer-aided design and manufacturing to take digital images of your tooth and jaw, design a crown, and create the crown right here in our very own office.

These crowns are reliable, strong, and can resist abrasion, which means they are more likely to last longer periods of time.

The procedure in detail includes this process:

Our team took a digital picture of the tooth that needs a crown and the surrounding area.
The model is then created using technology to take these images and create a digital model of your tooth.
A machine then takes the model and creates a 3-D tooth out of ceramic. This process only takes about 15 minutes.
Your dentist polishes the new crown and fits it in place inside your mouth.

Disadvantages of Crowns

While crowns have more pros and cons, there can be a few drawbacks as there are with any procedure. For example, potential issues can include:

Mild discomfort and sensitivity a day or two following placement. If your pain persists, your crown might need to be repositioned.
Chipped crown. Crowns, especially when made of porcelain, can chip. Small chips can be repaired and stay in your mouth. If the chip is too large, it may need to be replaced altogether.
Loose crown. Sometimes the cement that holds the crown can dislodge, which causes the crown to loosen. If your crown feels loose, call your dentist before it falls off.
Allergic reactions. Sometimes, a person will be allergic to the metals used in a crown. Though this is possible, it is extremely rare.

Main Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity

When patients visits the experts with tooth sensitivities, they look into the cause so it can be eliminated. Tooth sensitivity can range from mild discomforts to excruciating pains.

Do you have sensitive teeth? Are they interfering with your lifestyle? If so, then it is best to pay visit to the dentists who perform holistic dentistry in Durango, CO. They will help you to understand the cause of your tooth sensitivities as well as provide solutions.

Below are some of the major reasons tooth for tooth sensitivities.

Teeth Grinding

Most people who grind their teeth do so without realizing it. It can occur at any time, but most find that their habit occurs while they sleep. Teeth grinding gradually breaks down tooth enamel and dentin.

This leads to exposed nerves which result in increased sensitivities to hot, cold, and normal chewing. Night grinding can be offset by the use of a custom mouth guard. At night the guard protects teeth from further damage.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal or gum disease is the culmination of continued gum inflammation. As gum disease grows, gums recede from teeth. This exposes the roots of the teeth which hose the nerves.

Regular brushing, flossing, and mouth washing along with dental treatment are essential to stop and reverse the effects of gum disease.

Improper Brushing

Are you aware of the proper techniques to brush your teeth? Some patients are not. Brushing your teeth too strong can result in enamel wear and gum damage.

As a rule of thumb: Choose soft bristle toothbrushes. If you take a little more time during your regular brushing regimen, you can clean your teeth just as effectively as with a hard-bristled brush.

Don’t Forget To Floss During The Holidays

During the holidays’ many people will introduce more to their diets. There are a variety of seasonal foods and treats which are quite tasty but can lead to more cavities.

Although brushing and mouth washing is very important, flossing is a cleaning measure that vastly improves oral hygiene, stated by the experts who perform holistic dentistry in Durango, CO.

However…

A vast number of American do not floss. Here are a few tips to help.

Remember Why It Is Important To Floss

When you eat food naturally enters between teeth. It is easy for meat and other food particles to get trap between your teeth. Brushing alone does not remove these left-over foods.

Why? The bristles of a toothbrush are not able to force trapped foods from teeth. Additionally, it is impossible to angle the brush to use its bristles between certain teeth. Flossing helps you to remove these food particles.

Try Different Floss Types

If one type of floss does not work for you, try another. There are several types including ribbon, flavored, waxed and un-waxed. Experimenting with several floss types will help you to learn which is easiest for you.

If you are still having problems with getting used to a flossing technique, you may want to try flossers which have handles.

Flossing Alternatives

It is best to floss, but if you just can’t get the hang of it and need another solution, you can try water flossers.

They are much more expensive than floss. However, their water propulsion systems send streams of water between teeth with enough pressure to remove trapped food.

When food remains in between teeth, it becomes an energy source to cavity-causing bacteria. Removing this food is critical to preventing short & long-term dental problems.

Say Cheese: 5 Benefits of Having a Beautiful Smile

BEAUTIFUL SMILE - Clínica Blasi — Say Cheese: 5 Benefits of Having a Beautiful Smile

The cosmetic dentistry market will be worth US $22.4 billion worldwide by 2020.

Whether you opt for a professional whitening treatment, veneers or braces, this global trend shows how much we all value our smile and the way it affects our appearance.

But perfect teeth don’t just make you more attractive. Read on to find out the top five benefits of a beautiful smile.

1. A Great First Impression

Having a perfect smile will make you want to show it off more, which helps create a great first impression. In fact, 29 percent of Americans say the first thing they notice about someone is their teeth.

People perceive those with a perfect smile as more successful, smarter, and more romantically desirable. So, having perfect teeth helps improve your relationship and career prospects thanks to the great first impression you make.

2. More Self-Confidence

Perfect teeth are something you want to show off, making you smile more. As a result, people with perfect teeth tend to evoke more confidence. A perfect smile shows you’re in control and can handle anything.

Feeling self-assured and positive then helps to boosts your confidence even more as people react favorably to your perfect smile.

3. A Friendlier Appearance

Smiling is seen across all cultures as a symbol of positive emotional content. The combination of self-confidence and a perfect smile ensure that others perceive you as warm, friendly and open.

As a result, others are friendlier and more open in your presence, causing you to feel, appear and become, friendlier and more open in social situations.

4. A Powerful Mood Boost

A perfect smile doesn’t just affect how the world views you, it also affects how you view the world.

Having perfect teeth gives you more reasons to smile. But, even if you’re faking, the physical act of smiling actually boosts your mood.

Smiling causes your brain to release serotonin and endorphins. These hormones help to relax you and make you feel happier, making sure you’ll have even more reasons to smile in future!

And it’s not just you who benefits from a mood boost when you smile. You could say that smiling is contagious as our brains are hard-wired to return a smile, meaning others will be more likely to smile when you do. And the best part is, you’ll all benefit from a release of happy hormones!

5. Better Oral Health

A perfect smile is often perceived as being healthier. And often, people with straight, white smiles take better care of their teeth as a way to preserve their perfect smile for longer.

This means they’re more likely to look after their teeth better, with a healthy diet, regular flossing, and frequent dental check-ups with experts who perform holistic dentistry in Durango, CO.

Of course, this is great news for teeth and gums, as having perfect teeth means more than just a perfect smile, but rather teeth that are strong and healthy too.

How Drinking More Water Can Protect Your Smile

10 Hacks to Drink More Water Everyday — How Drinking More Water Can Protect Your Smile

Are you drinking enough water each day? If you are like most people, you’re not getting in a proper water intake each day. In the United States alone, 75% of adults suffer from chronic dehydration — averaging only 2.5 cups of water per day.

It’s no surprise that staying hydrated has a number of benefits throughout our entire bodies, even our smiles. Drinking enough water each day can help improve your smile and oral health.

Drinking Water for Your Smile

The best drink you can choose each day is water. Our bodies are mostly made up of water, and drinking enough of it each day can help your body even distribute nutrients, rid itself of waste, help your skin — and even can help your teeth. The University of Illinois College of Dentistry explains that there are four main ways staying hydrated helps your smile. Water helps…

Strengthen your smile

When you drink fluoridated water, found in many communities, you are helping prevent cavities in your mouth. Fluoride, also known as ‘nature’s cavity fighter,’ strengthens your teeth. Drinking water with fluoride is one of the best, most cost-effective ways you can prevent tooth decay and make your teeth stronger. Evidence has shown that for most cities, every $1 invested in fluoridation can save up to $38 in costs to treat dental problems.

Wash away the bad stuff

Water is a natural way to clean your teeth. Each time you take a sip, you are washing away leftover food and residue that bacteria in your mouth love to thrive on. The bad bacteria in your mouth loves sugar and produces acid that will weaken your enamel, the outer shell of your teeth. If you frequently drink soda or sugary drinks, there is unwanted sugar left on your teeth. Drinking water will help dilute the acids produced by the sugar and bacteria left behind.

Prevents dry mouth

The saliva in your mouth is 99% water. When you aren’t producing a lot of saliva, you will experience dry mouth. Dry mouth makes it hard for you to talk, chew, and swallow because of the lack of saliva. Saliva is also your mouth’s first line of defense against tooth decay. Your saliva can wash away food debris and keep your teeth clean because of what is in your saliva: calcium, phosphate, and fluoride. Drinking water can help prevent dry mouth and promote saliva production.

Stay healthy

Sugary beverages are a popular drink. In the United States, these drinks have been a leading reason that the obesity rate steadily continues to increase. People who drink 1-2 sugary beverages a day are 26% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Also, soda is very acidic and loaded with sugar — both of which harm your smile. Trade in these drinks with a glass of water, your mouth and body will thank you.

How Much Water Do You Need?

You are constantly losing water throughout the day. From breathing, to sweating, to urinating and bowel movements, it is constantly leaving your body. For your body to work like it should, you should be replenishing your supply by consuming water.

Men: 15.5 cups of fluids per day
Women: 11.5 cups of fluids per day.

These guidelines include fluids including water, other beverages, and food. Food typically covers 20% of your total fluid intake each day.

Maintaining Oral Health

Along with drinking water, you should have a dental hygiene routine you follow each day. Having a consistent routine along with staying hydrated will help give you a healthy smile. The experts adopting holistic dentistry in Durango, CO recommend that your dental health routine includes:

Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time.
Flossing once away to remove plaque and food stuck between the teeth.
Using a fluoride mouthwash to help strengthen your teeth and fight tooth decay.
Seeing Dr. once every six months for a thorough dental exam and teeth cleaning.
Drinking the recommended amount of water each day to clean and protect your teeth.

Dental Implants: 5 Reasons You Need an Artificial Tooth

Despite our modern dental technology and availability of oral at-home care products, tooth loss remains a serious problem in the U.S. 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth.

If you’re one of them, you may want to consider receiving a dental implant —or an artificial tooth—to replace the missing natural one. There are many benefits to having a dental implant placed. Here are five reasons why the procedure could be right for you.

1. It Prevents Shifting

When you lose a tooth, the remaining teeth can shift and lean over because they are missing that additional support. This can make chewing difficult and lead to dental problems and bone loss as the years go by. If you take to chewing on one side of your mouth as a result, your smile can become irregular as your facial muscles weaken.

A dental implant keeps the remaining teeth straight and in their place, and helps your smile stay symmetrical.

2. It Restores Your Confidence

A missing tooth, especially if it’s visible when you smile, can be a real hit to your self-esteem and make you feel embarrassed or even ashamed.

A dental implant can restore your confidence as it looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. It will be shaded to match the rest of your teeth, so no one will know it’s an artificial tooth when you flash your pearly whites. You will feel ready to take on—and smile at—the world after receiving an implant to eliminate the gap in your mouth.

3. It’s Painless

Although the idea of having an artificial tooth implanted sounds scary, the truth is dental implant surgery is no more uncomfortable than receiving a filling. Your dentist who perform holistic dentistry in Durango, CO will give you local anesthesia to numb the area. In many cases, the post—or the part that mimics the tooth’s roots—can be placed in about one hour.

For the next several months the jawbone builds up around the post. You’ll then be fitted for the crown part of the implant, which is the top of the tooth visible above the gum line.

The entire process usually takes between three and five months and the wait is totally worth it to have a tooth that functions like a real one. It also eliminates the need to have work done on surrounding teeth, which is common with dental bridges.

4. Dental Implants Function Like Natural Teeth

You’ll never know that you have anything other than natural teeth in your mouth when you receive a dental implant. The tooth will feel and function like your natural teeth. You can chew, smile, and laugh to your heart’s content.

And although they may look like natural teeth, dental implants can’t get cavities and will never need a root canal!

5. It’s Long Lasting

With proper care, a dental implant can last several decades and possibly for a lifetime. You can maximize your chances of keeping one long-term by flossing and brushing around the implant every day, eating a well-balanced diet, and not smoking.

11 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Which vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy teeth and gums? — 11 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Take care of your teeth

Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care. Even if you’ve been told that you have nice teeth, it’s crucial to take the right steps every day to take care of them and prevent problems. This involves getting the right oral care products, as well as being mindful of your daily habits.

1. Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth

It’s no secret that the general recommendation is to brush at least twice a day. Still, many of us continue to neglect brushing our teeth at night. But brushing before bed gets rid of the germs and plaque that accumulate throughout the day.

2. Brush properly

The way you brush is equally important — in fact, doing a poor job of brushing your teeth is almost as bad as not brushing at all. Take your time, moving the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque. Unremoved plaque can harden, leading to calculus buildup and gingivitis (early gum disease).

3. Don’t neglect your tongue

Plaque can also build up on your tongue. Not only can this lead to bad mouth odor, but it can lead to other oral health problems. Gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.

4. Use a fluoride toothpaste

When it comes to toothpaste, there are more important elements to look for than whitening power and flavors. No matter which version you choose, make sure it contains fluoride.

While fluoride has come under scrutiny by those worried about how it impacts other areas of health, this substance remains a mainstay in oral health. This is because fluoride is a leading defense against tooth decay. It works by fighting germs that can lead to decay, as well as providing a protective barrier for your teeth.

5. Treat flossing as important as brushing

Many who brush regularly neglect to floss. “Flossing is not just for getting those little pieces of Chinese food or broccoli that may be getting stuck in between your teeth,” says Jonathan Schwartz, DDS. “It’s really a way to stimulate the gums, reduce plaque, and help lower inflammation in the area.”

6. Don’t let flossing difficulties stop you

Flossing can be difficult, especially for young children and older adults with arthritis. Rather than give up, look for tools that can help you floss your teeth. Ready-to-use dental flossers from the drugstore can make a difference.

7. Consider mouthwash

Advertisements make mouthwash seem necessary for good oral health, but many people skip them because they don’t know how they work. Schwartz says mouthwash helps in three ways: It reduces the amount of acid in the mouth, cleans hard-to-brush areas in and around the gums, and re-mineralizes the teeth. “Mouthwashes are useful as an adjunct tool to help bring things into balance,” he explains. “I think in children and older people, where the ability to brush and floss may not be ideal, a mouthwash is particularly helpful.”

Ask your dentist for specific mouthwash recommendations. Certain brands are best for children, and those with sensitive teeth. Prescription mouthwash is also available.

8. Drink more water

Water continues to be the best beverage for your overall health — including oral health. Also, as a rule of thumb, Schwartz recommends drinking water after every meal. This can help wash out some of the negative effects of sticky and acidic foods and beverages in between brushes.

9. Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables

Ready-to-eat foods are convenient, but perhaps not so much when it comes to your teeth. Eating fresh, crunchy produce not only contains more healthy fiber, but it’s also the best choice for your teeth. “I tell parents to get their kids on harder-to-eat and chew foods at a younger age,” says Schwartz. “So try to avoid the overly mushy processed stuff, stop cutting things into tiny pieces, and get those jaws working!”

10. Limit sugary and acidic foods

Ultimately, sugar converts into acid in the mouth, which can then erode the enamel of your teeth. These acids are what lead to cavities. Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee can also wear down tooth enamel. While you don’t necessarily have to avoid such foods altogether, it doesn’t hurt to be mindful.

11. See your dentist at least twice a year

Your own everyday habits are crucial to your overall oral health. Still, even the most dutiful brushers and flossers need to see a holistic dentist in Durango, CO regularly. At minimum, you should see your dentist for cleanings and checkups twice a year. Not only can a dentist remove calculus and look for cavities, but they will also be able to spot potential issues and offer treatment solutions.

Why Does the Dentist Need to Take Xrays All The Time?

How Often Are Dental X-rays Needed? — Why Does the Dentist Need to Take Xrays All The Time?

Compared to dental appointments of the past, “x-rays” or “radiographs” seem to happen a lot more frequently. Some people have heard that dentists just take them because they can charge the patient for them, or claim them for money from the health funds.

This could not be further from the truth. Dentists who firmly believe and perform the holistic dentistry in Durango, CO are very aware of the risks of radiation (which is why you see them exit the room every time they take an x-ray!) and operate under a strict protocol of exposing a patient to the least amount of radiation required to make a diagnosis.

If this is all getting confusing, let’s start with some basics.

What Is An X-ray?

When dentists and patients refer to an x-ray, they are actually referring to a radiograph. A radiograph is the image produced by the x-rays which pass through anatomical structures. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation.

Where Does Radiation Come From?

In our environment, we are exposed to background radiation from many different sources without even knowing it! The sun exposes us to radiation, as does flying on an aeroplane. Building materials, such as clay bricks and granite, expose us to radiation too. If you’ve got a granite benchtop at home, you’ve got background radiation in your kitchen!

Radiation is measured in millisieverts. A small dental radiograph, such as the kind that the dentist puts in your mouth, is 0.005 millisieverts. Taking two of these is the equivalent to eating 100g of Brazil nuts. Taking a transatlantic airplane flight is the equivalent to eight of these radiographs.

Ok, But Why Does the Dentist Need to Take Radiographs So Often?

The information that can be gained from a radiograph far outweighs what your dentist can see with their eyes, even when they’re wearing their magnifying glasses! Sometimes very large cavities that form between the teeth can only be detected with radiographs, which is why your dentist takes a set approximately every two years to ensure such cavities aren’t being missed.

The beauty of radiographs is that they also allow your dentist to monitor very small or early cavities which may not need to be filled if they remain static over time.

Previously any shadow or dark spot on a tooth may have looked like decay and dentists filled them for fear of them getting worse. Now that we have radiographs, we can monitor these areas and only drill the tooth if we see the decay has reached a certain depth.

There are different kinds of radiographs for different needs as well. Sometimes your dentist may want to look at your jaw joint or other anatomical structures around the teeth. F

or this purpose, they would need to take a panoramic radiograph, or OPG. Sometimes they may need to look at the root of a specific tooth to determine if there is an abscess developing.

For this, they need a different type of radiograph. Your dentist will take the minimum number of radiographs required to make a diagnosis, but they understand that a couple of low dose radiographs may be of huge benefit to you if it means, for instance, detecting an abscess before it gets bigger and causes you pain.

Every dental decision requires your dentist to weigh up the risk versus the benefit of a procedure to you – a very small amount of radiation can often be very beneficial to your oral and overall health.

Managing Your Salivary Stone: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Not all conditions that affect the oral cavity can be linked with a specific disease. For example, the exact cause of a salivary stone is not known, only the risk factors. Let’s discuss the onset of a salivary gland stone further and how a holistic treatment from dental professionals can help treat this condition.

What Is a Salivary Gland Stone and How Does It Form?

We have three major types of salivary glands in the mouth. Parotid glands are located on both sides of the face. Sublingual glands are positioned beneath the tongue, while submandibular glands are under the jaw. All of these glands help in the production of saliva to ensure proper food digestion.

Saliva is drained through ducts. Any of these ducts can be blocked by calcified stones. The exact cause of stone formation remains unclear. It is thought that when the chemicals in the saliva, most of them calcium salts, mix with cell debris and mucus in the mouth, it will form a deposit that may accumulate in the gland or ducts.

This condition is common among people between 50 and 80 years old. It mostly affects the submandibular glands in approximately 80% of cases, and it occurs as a single, large, salivary stone. It is also more common in men than in women.

What Are the Risks Factors for a Blocked Salivary Duct?

As mentioned above, what causes salivary stones remains unknown. Aside from gender and age, factors that decrease saliva production or thickened saliva may also contribute to the development of a salivary gland stone. These include:

Dehydration
Poor eating
Medications like antihistamines, anti-hypertensive, and psychiatric and bladder control drugs
Trauma to the salivary glands

Salivary Stones Symptoms

Patients do not often experience any symptom as the stones are forming, but as soon as they reach a size that blocks a duct, the saliva will be pushed back into the gland, causing pain and inflammation. Pain is often exacerbated by eating.

If the gland becomes infected, the pain will get worse and fever may ensue.

How Do You Diagnose a Salivary Stone?

To confirm the diagnosis of a salivary gland stone, a complete physical examination should be done. One can easily palpate a stone. If the professional suspects a swollen mass, a CT scan may be necessary to rule out other causes, such as dental abscesses, swollen lymph glands, lymphoma, sarcoidosis, or tumors.

In rare cases though, an X-ray may be requested. A dye will be injected into the duct for easy viewing.

Blood tests will also help confirm the results of the imaging studies.

How Does One Treat a Salivary Gland Stone?

Salivary stones often get noticed when there is a bump or discoloration on the floor of the mouth. They are accompanied by discomfort, pain, and swelling because the saliva is pooling and creating pressure.

Treatment will depend on the number, size, shape, consistency, and location of the salivary stone.

Smaller stones can be treated with home remedies like over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers, warm compresses, and rehydration. Antibiotics are only prescribed if with infection. Experts also recommend lemons because they promote saliva flow. Another easy salivary stone removal technique is massage. This works well in dislodging small stones.

Larger stones, however, will require dental professional services. An endoscopic procedure known as sialendoscopy will be performed to remove salivary gland stones. This was developed and first used in Europe. It uses a tiny lighted scope, inserted into the gland. It will give a good view of the duct system. Using micro instruments, the stone can be removed to relieve the blockage. This is an outpatient procedure and done under local anesthesia only.

If the stone caused irreversible damage or is recurrent, surgical removal of the gland may be necessary.

Preventive Measures

Decreasing the number of bacteria that accumulates in the mouth is an excellent defense against salivary stones.

Brush your teeth at least twice daily, followed by flossing. The use of quality dental home products like fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses with Chlorhexidine may be helpful. This unique formula fights cavities and tartar buildup.

For more information on salivary stones and how the services of holistic dentistry in Durango, CO can help prevent them, contact the expert dentists.

Oil Pulling: Benefits and How-To

Many people use natural remedies to detox the mouth and whiten teeth. Oil pulling is an old Indian practice that is believed to be effective in improving oral health and removing toxins from the body. With any form of dental treatment, it is best to get the facts straight and speak with your dentist to decide what is good for you.

What Is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling stimulates the production of saliva, which helps remove bacteria, among other health benefits. It generally involves swishing at least a tablespoon of oil around the mouth every morning. The oil is “pulled” between the teeth and all around the oral cavity for up to 20 minutes. Spit out the oil as soon as it becomes thin and milky. Do not swallow.

Is Oil Pulling Your Teeth Helpful?

Several studies are available to help you fully understand the effects of oil pulling on oral health. Experts noted that coconut oil pulling is the best. It works as effectively as chlorhexidine, a mouthwash, in reducing Streptococcus infection and tooth decay.

Evidence also shows that coconut oil is more effective than sesame oil in controlling gingivitis. Olive oil also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It works well on teeth too.

Although these studies have drawn positive results, the American Dental Association still reiterates the importance of brushing and flossing. An oil pull should only be used as a treatment you do alongside these regular habits.

Oil Pulling Benefits

1. It Kills Harmful Mouth Bacteria and Prevents Cavities

There are hundreds of bacteria that can grow in the mouth, which causes bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. As mentioned earlier, oil pulling can help reduce the number of these harmful microorganisms.

2. It Could Help Prevent Bad Breath

Approximately half of the world’s population worries about halitosis. The common causes of bad breath include poor oral hygiene, tongue coating, gum disease, and infection. This is traditionally treated using an antiseptic mouth rinse such as chlorhexidine, along with regular brushing.

Interestingly, evidence also shows that oil pulling is as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing bad breath. This makes it a perfect natural alternative to commercialized products.

3. It Prevents Inflammation and Improves Gum Health

Gingivitis is characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. The bacteria found in plaque causes most gingivitis cases. The use of oils with anti-inflammatory properties will help reduce the swelling associated with gum disease.

Experts recommend the use of sesame oil or coconut oil for teeth because they can significantly decrease the amount of plaque and improve gum health.

4. It Whitens Your Teeth

Does coconut oil whiten teeth? There is anecdotal evidence saying that an oil pull can naturally whiten your teeth. It is believed to be effective in pulling stains from teeth surfaces, resulting in a whitening effect. Unfortunately, there is still no scientific research to back up the claims on coconut oil teeth whitening.

5. It Is Cheap and Easy to Do

Oil pulling teeth is affordable and easy to do! It can be readily added to your daily regimen. Also, it only requires one ingredient that can be found right in your kitchen. You can choose from sesame oil, olive oil, and of course, coconut oil.

How Do You Do Oil Pulling?

You can do an oil pull in 4 easy steps:

Get one tablespoon of coconut, sesame, or olive oil.
Sit upright and swish the oil in your mouth for approximately 20 minutes. Try not to swallow any.
Spit it into the trash once done. Do not discard it into the toiler or sink to avoid clogging due to oil buildup.
Rinse your mouth well using water.

For the best results, researchers recommend doing this early in the morning, on an empty stomach. You can also do these steps up to 3 times daily and a few times weekly, depending on your preference.

Are There Any Risks Involved?

Do you have allergies to coconuts, sesame, or olives? If yes, then this technique is not for you.

Another risk of an oil pull is using it to replace standard dental treatments. Again, it cannot be used as an alternative to brushing and flossing. You still have to mechanically remove dirt or plaque to protect your teeth completely.

There has also been evidence associating oil pulling with lipoid pneumonia. This may occur if the oil gets into the lungs. Some minor complaints include an upset stomach or diarrhea.

You only get one set of permanent teeth, so taking good care of them is important. While oil pulling does have promising attributes, more research needs to be done to prove its safety. Connect with the dentists who support the techniques of holistic dentistry in Durango, CO which includes natural remedies, and it is advised you not to forget brushing, flossing, and other time-tested dental treatments.