4 important reasons to visit the dentist regularly
We all know regular visits to the dentist are essential for oral health. But do you know why? Here are four important reasons you and your loved one should visit the dentist regularly.
Prevent Future Issues
One of the benefits of regular dental visits is that the dentist is able to spot concerns that could turn into larger issues later on down the road. For instance, if they seem a small cavity developing or notice that your gums aren’t in good shape, you can be provided treatment immediately. Many people experience plaque buildup and gum diseases that go unnoticed because they didn’t make it in to see an expert soon enough. A dentist can also screen for any early signs of oral cancer or other major illnesses.
Treat Bad Breath
Having chronic bad breath is not just a case of morning breath or eating too many onions. A condition called halitosis can occur after repeatedly practicing poor oral hygiene habits. This is not an issue to ignore or try to treat on your own. Make sure you go to the dentist so that you can pinpoint what exactly is causing the odor and how you can fix it. Sometimes it may be a medical condition that needs to be attended to immediately.
3 tips for good pediatric oral care
Your child’s smile warms your heart. It’s also a key indicator of their oral (and overall) health. Keep it happy and healthy with these three tips for good pediatric oral care.
Brush Early and Gently
Wipe your baby’s gums, even before teeth come in, with a clean, damp washcloth to reduce harmful bacteria. As soon as those first teeth come in, they need to be brushed. Use a child-sized toothbrush with a fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval. Use a tiny smear of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice and brush gently twice per day. Be gentle but thorough.
Healthy food is a must
Oral bacteria feed on sugars and refined carbohydrates to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The enamel is what stops harmful bacteria from infecting the teeth. Once bacteria gain access to the inner tooth, the bacteria can cause decay. Indulge your child’s sweet tooth with healthy snacks or juices that come from actual fruit. At mealtimes, swap out refined carbs with complex ones and add other food groups to complete the meal.
Be a Role Model
Brush and floss with your kids, rather than sending them into the bathroom on their own. Instead of treating it as a chore, make it part of the daily routine.
Schedule an Appointment
A child should see a dentist by their first birthday and continue with routine checkups every six months after that. This will help catch problems in their early stages and foster a positive relationship with the dentist. Give your child a sparkling smile today and healthy habits for tomorrow by scheduling an appointment today.
How to care for your veneers
Like natural teeth, veneers are susceptible to plaque and bacterial build-up. Insufficient dental care can lead to receding gums, meaning the junction between your veneer and teeth will become increasingly visible. If it worsens, you may have to replace the veneer entirely. Positive oral hygiene habits help maintain the quality and longevity of your veneers.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Regular alcohol consumption can cause the bonding cement under your veneers to weaken, increasing susceptibility to corrosion, staining and damage.
Avoid Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding and clenching at night can cause damage to the porcelain, wearing down your veneers over time. Excessive pressure from grinding may also cause chipping to the veneers. Wearing a mouthguard when sleeping is a great preventative measure.
What is TMJ disorder?
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders are conditions affecting the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. It can be caused by trauma, an improper bite, arthritis or wear and tear. Common symptoms include jaw tenderness, earaches, and facial pain.
Other symptoms can include:
- pain in the neck and shoulders
- limited movement or locking of the jaw
- painful clicking, popping or grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
- a bite that feels "off"
- pressure and/or ringing in the ears
- diminished hearing
- dizziness
- vision problems
- tooth sensitivity
The Pain of Stress
TMJ disorders are a group of conditions that cause pain in and around the TMJ and nearby muscles. Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth place additional strain on the muscles of the jaw, leading to inflammation. TMJ problems can affect a person's ability to speak, eat, chew, swallow, make facial expressions, and even breathe. What are the symptoms of TMJ disorders? Pain is one of the most common symptoms of TMJ Disorders. TMJ pain is often described as a dull ache in the jaw joint and nearby areas, including the ear. Some people report no pain but have jaw dysfunction.
Does Invisalign hurt?
Invisalign helps move your teeth into position for your healthiest, happiest smile. But does that process hurt?
Everyone is Different
During that first week of Invisalign treatment, expect your aligners to be very snug. Your dentist will show you how to take them in and out, but it may be a bit difficult at first. Removing your aligners will become easier over time as the aligners loosen up. Since the aligners are designed to begin actively moving your teeth, you’ll likely feel some discomfort for the first few days.
Because Invisalign forces your teeth into new positions, they have to be hard and durable. Each tray is made of molded plastic. Depending on the type of Invisalign treatment you choose, the trim line of your aligners can vary significantly. The more plastic that is left on your set of trays can create more friction points in your mouth. Patients can deal with these issues using dental wax or filing rough spots, giving them a measure of Invisalign pain relief.
Is DIY tooth whitening dangerous?
So you want a pearly white smile and you’re thinking about buying an over-the-counter whitening kit. Before you turn to DIY whitening, let’s look at whether it’s actually dangerous for your teeth. There are some DIY teeth whitening kits we’d consider safe, but we’ve seen some kits that need closer inspection.
You Often Get What You Pay For
Cheaper kits often don’t contain sufficient active whitening ingredients to be effective. These kits may not cause any actual harm but they end up being a waste of money as they don’t deliver the teeth whitening results suggested by the photos on the packaging.
Irritated Gums
It’s not unusual for us to see patients who’ve tried DIY teeth whitening and end up with sore, irritated gums. Ill-fitting teeth whitening mouthguards mean the teeth whitening gel used to leaks onto gums and can lead to irritation. The only way to avoid gum sensitivity is to use a custom-fitted mouthguard so whitening gel can be distributed precisely and safely onto teeth. It also delivers a much better whitening result.
Do You Need a Root Canal?
When a tooth is cracked or has a significant cavity, bacteria is able to enter the pulp, and if left untreated, can lead to serious infection, bone loss, or the loss of the tooth itself. A root canal is a dental treatment used to repair a diseased tooth by removing the pulp inside of the tooth and filling the canal to seal the space. This procedure can help save your teeth for a lifetime. Your dentist may recommend a root canal when your tooth shows signs of infection or significant pulpal nerve damage.
Think you might need a root canal? Here are some signs to look for.
Discoloration of Your Gums
Infection at the roots of your teeth can show up as gum discoloration. Your normal shade of gums is probably familiar to you, but if there’s a patch that’s darker than the rest, infection near a tooth’s root may be to blame.
5 smile-changing benefits of cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry has helped millions of people’s smiles. These specialized treatments and procedures can improve the appearance of your teeth and enhance the quality of your life. Here are five smile-changing benefits of cosmetic dentistry.
Dark or Stained Teeth
Naturally, most patients turn to whitening treatments to remove teeth stains for a brighter, healthier smile. These treatments, whether at our office or through take-home whitening trays, are vastly superior to the over-the-counter whitening products you’ll find at the grocery store.
Cracked or Worn Teeth
Fortunately, a crown can make all the difference in correcting cracked or worn teeth. A crown covers your tooth and provides reinforcement while protecting it against further damage.
Large Gaps
A large gap between your teeth can be a noticeable cosmetic flaw. You may believe braces are required to close this gap, but in many cases a set of porcelain veneers or dental bonding can be just as effective.
3 Negative Impacts of Coffee on Your Teeth
Did you know that Americans, on average, drink over two cups of coffee every day? While it’s how many adults kick off their morning, drinking an excessive amount of coffee can affect your mouth, teeth, and gums in negative ways.
Teeth Stains
The surface of your teeth may look smooth, but the layer of enamel covering your teeth contains numerous ridges and cracks. Food particles and pigments from different beverages, such as coffee, will embed in these ridges and cracks, which discolors the surface of your teeth. Without intervention, such as proper brushing, routine cleanings by your dentist, and whitening treatments, the coffee stains will become more difficult to remove.
3 myths about tooth fillings
Today, we’re dispelling a few myths about tooth fillings. If you believed any of these, now’s the time to set the record straight.
Myth: Tooth Fillings Don’t Last Very Long
Fillings can last for over ten years with proper care. Aside from choosing a material known for its longevity, you can improve your filling’s life span by maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding sugary and sticky foods, and scheduling regular dental check-ups.
Myth: Getting Your Tooth Filled is Painful
It’s normal to feel worried or apprehensive about getting a dental filling. The good news is that most cavities can be filled quickly and with little to no discomfort.
Myth: If Your Tooth is Not Aching, You Don’t Need a Filling
One indication that you may be suffering from cavities is a toothache. But that’s not always the case. Mild decay may not cause any pain or show other symptoms. But, if left untreated, the tiny cavities can get worse and lead to other dental issues. The pain you’ll experience may be a sign that the decay has spread and has reached that the nerves inside your teeth. When this happens, you may need more than a simple tooth filling.
Schedule a Visit to the Dentist
Think you might need a tooth filling? Or has it been a while since you last saw the dentist? Schedule an appointment today and we’ll help you get the bright, healthy smile you deserve.
Why oral health is essential during pregnancy
A mom who cares for herself is also caring for her unborn child—that's especially true when it comes to oral health. When you take care of your teeth and gums, it can potentially make a difference for your baby, both before and after birth.
It's common for a future mom's tooth and gum health to decline during pregnancy. Some causes include:
- Everyone's tired at the end of the day, but add in a pregnancy, and that leads to a whole new level of exhaustion. As a result, routine nighttime brushing and flossing can get skipped—in addition to regular dental visits.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy can endanger the health of mom's gums and cause pregnancy gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis—a more serious form of gum disease that includes bone loss.
- Eating more often during pregnancy is common, but frequent snacking and grazing puts teeth in constant contact with acid in food. This also leads to increased production of acid-loving bacteria.
- When choosing a prenatal vitamin, steer clear of chewy or gummy vitamins, especially if you’re eating them after brushing your teeth or before bed. They stick on the teeth and most contain sugar that can damage teeth.