Is it fair to expect your dentist to make your smile more attractive? After all, your dentist is there to make sure your teeth are healthy – what do looks have to do with that? Your dentist is focused on your oral health, but they can also provide cosmetic treatments that can address esthetic concerns you might have. These treatments may not affect your overall oral health, but they can make you feel more confident, and raise your quality of life. That being said, when you have your teeth straightened thanks to Invisalign, you may see benefits that also make it easier to keep up with the condition of your teeth. (more…)
Repairing A Tooth With A Filling Or A Dental Crown
The first step to repairing a tooth that is suffering from decay is to remove the infected area. Once your dentist has removed this portion of your tooth, and cleaned it, they will need to restore it by replacing what was lost. There are two main methods to produce this restoration. If the cavity in question was smaller, you can have your lost material replaced with a dental filling. However, at a certain point, the amount of material lost can be more than a filling can adequately replace. In these situations, you may need to have your tooth restored with a dental crown. (more…)
Dealing With The Discomfort Of TMJ Pains
TMJ pains can cause your quality of life to take a real hit. You can suffer periodic bouts of real discomfort, with discomfort in your face and jaw that can interfere with your ability to speak, or to bite and chew food. You might also develop chronic headaches. This discomfort might stem from arthritic jaw joints, or in the aftermath of an injury that affects your jaw. Many patients will come in for help with TMJ problems that relate to habitual teeth grinding. Your dentist takes TMJ issues seriously, and can help. After evaluating your particular issue, they can offer the right solution to rid you of this painful problem. (more…)
Quiz: Strategies For Whitening Your Teeth
If you want to keep your teeth white, watch out for items that leave stains – think color-rich drinks and food items, and tobacco products. You should also put in the work to sustain your oral health. These actions can help maintain your appearance, but what can you do if you want to improve the color of your teeth? Whitening products that are store-bought can take care of surface stains, but more serious discoloration can demand a more effective treatment. If your problems are caused by stains, a professional whitening procedure can handle the issue. However, if your discoloration is intrinsic, a different treatment can be called for. (more…)
Effective Oral Care Practices
The benefit of an action like brushing your teeth can be diluted if you do not do it effectively. You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and you should make sure to avoid missing areas of your teeth. As time goes on, these areas can suffer prolonged damage from plaque left behind. This could be the reason your dentist has to place a dental filling on a tooth. While effective brushing matters, it is not the only requirement for good oral health. Make sure you are also flossing, and be mindful of how your diet, especially a diet higher in sugar, can affect your cavity risk. (more…)
Choosing Between A Dental Bridge And A Dental Implant
When it comes to addressing tooth loss, one choice is clear – you gain functional and cosmetic benefits from seeking out a dental prosthetic. However, your choice beyond the decision to have a prosthetic can become more challenging. One option available to you is a dental bridge. The bridge is held so firmly that it can be used in the biting and chewing of food. This is a great way to secure a prosthetic if oral surgery is not a good option for you. A dental implant can hold your replacement tooth without disrupting neighboring teeth. In fact, the implant can help stabilize those surrounding teeth, while also adding extra health benefits to your jawbone. (more…)
How Invisalign Corrects Your Alignment Issues
Is there a way to enjoy straightened teeth without resorting to conspicuous metal braces? For people with milder alignment issues, Invisalign can make corrections to your teeth, and do not require a notable change in your appearance. The Invisalign aligners are constructed with clear plastic. The material is difficult enough to see for you to wear them without others noticing. Because they are removable, you will still be able to eat, and clean your teeth, without obstruction. While not every person looking to adjust their teeth will be an acceptable candidate, Invisalign offers a real, cosmetically-friendly appliance to help straighten your smile. (more…)
Quiz: Making Smile Improvements
If you think your dentist is just here to help with your oral health, think again. There are several procedures that your dentist can perform that fall under the field of cosmetic dentistry. These services are intended to help with matters of your appearance, not your health. While your oral health is the primary concern, you can discuss treatment options for teeth that look discolored, are misshapen, or exhibit other physical issues. Not every treatment offers the same outcome. For instance, teeth whitening and porcelain veneers can both improve your smile, but they provide different results. If you are unsure of what treatment you should select, you can talk to your dentist for guidance, and see how you can secure the smile you would like to show off. (more…)
A Cavity's Size Will Affect How It Is Treated
Imagine you are going to see your dentist about a cavity. Do you know what will come of that treatment? How will your dentist care for your tooth? The answer is partly dependent on how long you waited for help, and how much the cavity has grown. A cavity forms over time, the consequence of persistent harm inflicted on your enamel by oral bacteria. Those bacteria release acids in the process of digesting sugars they consume. While your enamel can recover from smaller damage, a cavity will continue to spread until it is removed. If the cavity is smaller when it is caught and treated, your tooth may be repairable with a dental filling. If a filling is not seen as suitable, your dentist can use a dental crown to restore your tooth. (more…)
Grinding Your Teeth At Night Can Lead To Dental Damage
When you wake up in the morning, you should feel refreshed. If you are dealing with bruxism, you may be more likely to wake up feeling pain. People with bruxism tend to grind their teeth while they sleep, which means potentially awakening to soreness in their teeth, face, and jaw. While this can be enough of a problem on its own to motivate people to seek treatment for bruxism, you should know that grinding your teeth can do real dental damage. Bruxism is commonly associated with problems with your temporomandibular joints (more commonly known as TMJs). Your dentist can help manage TMJ problems, and bring your teeth grinding under control. (more…)
