Posts Tagged ‘tooth’

The First Teeth Whitening Formula Was Urine!

Monday, March 15th, 2010

A smile is the main form of communication throughout the world. Ever since the beginning of mankind, people have been fixated on ways to keep teeth bright, white and clean. Some of the early methods are pretty basic but our ancestors certainly paved the way for modern dental and oral hygiene. Let’s see what led up to man’s fixation with teeth whitening.

The first ever toothbrushes were used in 3000 BC. These comprised of small branches that were scuffed at one end. People rubbed them on their teeth to get rid of food particles and other debris. In the 1400s the first toothbrush was invented by the Chinese. These had bamboo handles and hog hair bristles. They caught the attention of European traders who introduced them to many cultures.

It was only when French bacteriologist, Louis Pasteur, discovered germs that people realized that an animal’s bristles could cause infection. While many efforts were made to invent a more hygienic substitute, it was only in 1935 when Wallace Corothers discovered nylon that the answer was found.

Dr West’s Miracle Tuft Toothbrush was the result. A leading company, du Pont, started to market this product right through America. The public was told about the drawbacks of hog hair and the many advantages of nylon. The only problem was that the ‘miracle’ toothbrush was so rigid that it harmed gums. Dentists wanted nothing to do with them. Du Pont continued its efforts and 20 years later, the soft-bristled nylon Park Avenue toothbrush was launched.

1961 was a noteworthy year for oral hygiene when the Squibb Company proudly presented the electric toothbrush. Endorsed by the American Dental Association, the electric toothbrush became more refined with each passing year. The modern versions are battery powered, sonic powered, or cordless.

Teeth whitening began with the Egyptians in 2000 BC. They concocted a substance using wine vinegar and powdered pumice stone which was applied to the teeth with a chew stick. If you think that sounds awful, the Romans were even worse – they used human urine. Roman doctors were convinced that urine had teeth whitening properties.

History shows that it wasn’t dentists who offered teeth whitening to the public. It was in fact barbers who were often asked to extract rotting teeth. After filing the teeth, they would apply a caustic acid as a whitener. It proved to be effective but, in the process, the enamel was destroyed.

During the 1800s Italian dentists discovered that fluoride could remove discolorations on teeth. This began a move in the 1840s to get children to suck sweetened fluoride lozenges. The results were so good that fluoride was added to drinking water and put in toothpastes and mouthwashes because it also reduced tooth decay. Unfortunately it was later learned that fluoride actually caused discoloration of the teeth in adult years.

So here we are in the 21st Century and we are still trying to get the perfect smile with pearly white teeth. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports a 300 percent increase in the number of whitening and bleaching procedures done over the past 5 years. These are much safer and more effective than the unsophisticated methods of yesteryear!

Invisalign braces Toronto is an inexpensive way to straighten and enhance your smile dramatically. Cosmetic dentist Toronto offers various tooth whitening options to help you achieve the look that you want.

Some Information On Invisalign Braces

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Are you an adult that wants to straighten your teeth? Maybe you have a child that you think needs braces. Have you been putting off seeing your dentist about these issues because of the common fear of metal braces? If you answered yes to any of these, there is an alternative and less scary option; invisalign braces.

Invisalign braces are different from metal braces because they do not contain any metal at all. They are instead made of thermoplastic material. The aligners are clear and are custom made to fit. They are similar to traditional braces only in the way that they move teeth little by little. Align Technology Inc. Is responsible for making them and the company was founded in 1997.

They are a good option for those who are afraid of the anxiety of metal braces. Adults who want to straighten their teeth see the metal version as not appropriate to their age. Braces are thought to be dominantly worn by children of the ages of being in elementary or high school. Besides adults, many youths do not like the option of metal braces because either of the way they look. Everyone knows that youths are especially concerned about the way they look so they see the metal as being unattractive and embarrassing.

Discomfort is often caused by metal braces. Having them put in is a long process and it consists of teeth being tightly bound by wire and brackets. Once the process of having them put in is finished, patients are usually put on painkillers for a few days to a week because of the soreness the pressure exerts on teeth. Clear braces are different because they do not cause this and they do not cause irritation. They are virtually pain free and do not require monthly adjustments.

To find out if you are a good candidate for clear braces, your dentist will take a bite impression to see if the treatment would be an effective one. Not every case is suited for Invisalign braces as a solution. If you do qualify, you will be fitted will aligners and will have to see your dentist about one time per six weeks to assess your progress. The clear aligners also have to be replaced every two weeks.

One very important benefit of invisalign braces is that they can be removed. If you need to floss, brush, eat, or drink, they can be taken out. Other than this, they need to be worn for a minimum of twenty hours a day.

The price, insurance coverage information, and time it will take for you to straighten your teeth depends on your doctors assessment. Every patient has a case that is different and unique. Also, not every orthodontic office offers this service, so look into which local offices do.

If you do not like the thought of traditional metal braces at all, then consider invisalign braces. They do not require metal adjustments and they also do not cause pain. For people who wish to fix the alignment of their teeth, it is a convenient option. Contact your dentist if you have any concerns or questions because they can tell you if they will work.

Dentist Toronto provides advanced cosmetic and general dentistry procedures such as dental implants, Teeth whitening in Toronto and more. Professional implant Toronto cosmetic dentist can help restore your teeth and your smile.