Facts about Fluoride

Fluoride is a natural mineral found throughout the earth’s crust and widely distributed in nature and is often added to water to help reduce tooth decay. Research has shown that fluoride not only reduces cavities in children and adults, but it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, even before the decay is visible. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics we thought we would take this opportunity to deliver some facts on fluoride.

When fluoride reaches your teeth, it is absorbed into the enamel. Fluoride helps to repair the enamel by replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorus to keep your teeth hard through a process called remineralization. When fluoride is present during this process, the minerals deposited into the tooth enamel help strengthen your teeth and prevent dissolution during the next demineralization phase. The results are stronger tooth enamel and a cavity-free grin.

If you have questions about fluoride, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Electric vs Manual Toothbrush

Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, Dr. Cynthia Wong isn’t picky about what type of toothbrush you use because the important thing is that you are brushing your teeth correctly. However, our staff thought we would tell explain how brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush compares to manual brushing.

It’s possible to brush your teeth effectively with a manual toothbrush. However, an electric toothbrush can be a great alternative to a manual one, especially if you have arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to brush well. Although almost any toothbrush can do an effective job, research suggests there is one electronic toothbrush bristle configuration that seems to be better at removing plaque and preventing gum disease. If you choose an electric toothbrush, make sure the toothbrush is comfortable to hold and easy to use. It’s important to remember that the purpose of a toothbrush is to remove plaque and to stimulate the gums to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Whether you choose an electric toothbrush or a manual one, remember that what’s most important is daily brushing and flossing.

If you have questions about oral hygiene with, or without braces, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Dental Anxiety

It is one thing for anxiety to affect your daily relationships, but when it starts to impact your overall health then it becomes a problem. Dental anxiety, or dental phobia, is much more serious than just getting sweating palms and sleepless nights before an appointment – it’s a paralyzing fear of dentists or dental treatment. Fortunately, Dr. Cynthia Wong has the tools, techniques, and gentle touch to help make regular dental visits as comfortable as possible for you.

The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your doctor. Once Dr. Cynthia Wong knows what your fears are, she will better be able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more relaxed. In addition, be sure to ask her what’s happening at every stage of the procedure. This way you can mentally prepare for what’s to come.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, give us a call so we ease your fear. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visitwww.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Sensitive Teeth: Causes and Treatment

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth might cause you pain if you do, it may be time to get to the bottom of this painful condition. When the tooth’s hard enamel wears down or gums recede, tiny microscopic tubes located in the layer of the tooth below the enamel are exposed. Tooth sensitivity is caused by the stimulation of cells within these tubes, causing a short, sharp pain when the area is exposed to hot or cold temperatures. Thankfully there is treatment, and Dr. Cynthia Wong can provide you with relief.

Some of the causes of sensitive teeth include tooth decay, a cracked tooth, worn tooth enamel, worn fillings and tooth roots that are exposed as a result of aggressive tooth brushing, gum recession, and periodontal disease. Depending on the cause, Dr. Cynthia Wong may first suggest that you try desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block sensation traveling from the tooth surface to the nerve. If the desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, she may suggest in-office treatments.

If you have temperature sensitive teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visitwww.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.