You may want to spend your holidays forgetting your responsibilities, but unfortunately, you still need to be mindful of your oral health. As we gather to meet with friends and family, and enjoy generous helpings of holiday meals, we can expose our teeth to potentially harmful items. If you are dismissive of your need to protect your teeth from damaging agents, you can raise your risk for a cavity, and find yourself needing a dental filling for a tooth. That being said, being cautious about your consumption of items that are especially high in sugar, or have a texture that could be harmful (think sticky foods, or particularly hard substances), can help you keep your teeth in good shape. (more…)
Committing To A Full-Mouth Rehabilitation
When is it time to consider a full-mouth rehabilitation? If you have several problems that you need to address, one treatment can fall short of your real oral health needs. Your dentist can break down what it will take to bring your smile back to good condition. This can involve working on the health of multiple teeth, restoring the condition of your gums, and even working to take care of problems with your jaw. Ultimately, what the process requires will depend on your needs. You and your dentist can cement a plan of attack, and revive your smile. (more…)
Quiz: Different Strategies For Restoring Your Tooth
Why would there be different methods for restoring a tooth with a cavity? The way your dentist sets out to stop the spread of decay, and return your tooth to good health, can depend on the severity of your problem. One concern is whether the infection has spread to within your tooth. If you have endodontic problems because of a cavity, a root canal treatment will be needed to resolve your issue. A cavity that is less serious will not make this necessary. The type of restoration you receive will depend on how serious your condition was. A tooth can be restored with a dental filling when the cavity is smaller; a larger cavity could require a dental crown. (more…)
Will Porcelain Veneers Address My Cosmetic Dental Needs?
Cosmetic dental work enables your dentist to tackle issues you might have with your smile’s appearance. In some cases, patients will have several issues hurting their overall appearance. When you receive porcelain veneers, you can hide multiple flaws with a single treatment. Veneers are used to correct a wide range of problems. Teeth that are damaged or misshapen can have these issues covered up. They can also be used to make your smile whiter – in fact, they can even fix discoloration a standard whitening treatment is unable to help treat. In some instances, you may be able to hide minor alignment issues by having veneers placed. (more…)
3 Ways Your Dentist Can Improve How Your Smile Looks
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…)
