![]() Mike Tyson is changing his ferocious look. No, he’s not having his tribal tattoo removed. He’s missing that famous gap-toothed (diastema), gold-capped grin that was featured prominently in “The Hangover.” One of the most recognizable faces in the world has been undergoing a dental makeover. Tyson recently stated that he is focusing on an acting career. This may have something to do with his departure from the gap-toothed celebrity club. A diastema is a space between two teeth. Many species of mammals have diastemata as a normal feature, most commonly between the incisors and molars. In humans, the term is most commonly applied to an open space between the upper incisors (front teeth). It happens when there is an unequal relationship between the size of the teeth and the jaw. ![]() To date, there have been no major health problems attributed to tooth whitening products when used as directed. Many studies have confirmed this, and I will share some of these findings with you momentarily. But first it’s worth noting that a scientific understanding of safety is quite different from what consumers think about safety. For consumers, something is safe if it produces absolutely no harm. Scientists, however, recognize that there is nothing that fits this definition. As a Swiss physician and chemist once said, “All substances are poisons and there are none that are not poisons. The right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy.” I ![]() _ Having sensitive teeth is, literally, a big pain. Sensitive teeth develop when the gums recede away from the teeth or when the enamel is cracked or worn off the teeth. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including the types of liquids you drink, age, brushing habits, or not taking good care of your teeth. With sensitive teeth, a person experiences pain, usually with cold foods or drinks. The good thing is that if you suffer from sensitive teeth, there are things you can do to make life less painful. The following are a few of the services to help ease sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth toothpaste – Many people find relief from the pain of sensitive teeth by using toothpaste designed to minimize the pain. This type of toothpaste blocks the tiny, exposed nerves that cause pain. Depending on the severity of your condition, changing your toothpaste could make a huge difference. One of the most common sensitivity toothpastes on the market is Sensodyne which we regularly recommends this as a good OTC alternative. However, it often takes several weeks to months to see a significant difference with the OTC products. One of the benefits of coming in frequently for cleanings or an exam is that we can also prescribe a professional strength sensitivity toothpaste that is rich in fluoride, like Colgate’s Prevident 5000 series. The results with Rx strength toothpastes is much quicker and tends to make patients happier in the long run. |
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May 2016
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Danbury's Dentist
Fellow Academy General Dentistry
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
 
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