Types of Dental Fillings

If you have a cavity and need a filling, you should probably be armed with as much information as possible, especially considering there are several types of filling materials that your dentist may recommend.

Your teeth can be filled with ceramic porcelain, gold, silver amalgam, tooth colored plastic, composite resin or glass ionomer. The location of the cavity, how much decay there is the cost of the materials and your insurance will determine what type of filling material is best for your needs.

Gold Cast Fillings can last up to 15 years, are quite strong, and will not corrode. Gold fillings can withstand chewing and are more aesthetically pleasing than silver amalgam. However, gold cast fillings can cost about ten times more than a silver amalgam filling and require two or more dental visits. You may also experience a galvanic shock, which is rare, but does happen. A galvanic shock occurs when two metals, such as silver and gold are placed next to each other.

Silver Amalgam Fillings are as durable as gold cast and will usually outlast tooth colored composite fillings. Silver feelings can hold up well under chewing forces and are less expensive than composite fillings. Silver fillings do not match the rest of your tooth and require more removal of the natural tooth structure. Amalgam fillings can also create a gray color surrounding the rest of the tooth. Cracks and fissures may also occur because there is wider degree of contraction and expansion.

Tooth Colored Composites can be matched to the color of your teeth and bond directly to the structure of your tooth. Composite fillings are chemically bonded to your tooth providing additional support. Composite fillings can also be used to repair worn, broken, or chipped teeth. Composite fillings also require less tooth structure removal. The ADA explains that Composite fillings will not last as long as gold or silver fillings and require additional time in the dental chair. If composites are being used for bonding, you may require another dental visit. Composites may also chip and are more expensive than silver amalgam fillings.

Ceramics are made from porcelain and resist staining better than composite fillings. Ceramic porcelain fillings are more abrasive and can last about 15 years, but are more expensive than composite, silver, or gold fillings.

Glass ionomer fillings are made from acrylic and glass and are normally used for dental fillings that are below your gum line. They also work for children as they release fluoride that can help protect teeth from additional decay. Glass ionomer fillings are weaker than resin and more prone to cracks and fractures. They will last about five years and cost about the same as composite resin.

For more information regarding dental fillings, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Bad Breath Can Be Prevented

If your breath is sending others running in the opposite direction, it is time to schedule an appointment with your dentist who can get to the root of your chronic halitosis.

According to Web MD, there are several reasons that people are afraid to talk to you face to face. It could have something to do with a medication you are currently taking or it may be your diet, however, your dentist will tell you that the number one reason people have bad breath is poor oral hygiene habits.

Good oral health habits include brushing twice and flossing once each day. A healthy diet loaded with fruits and vegetables and regular checkups with your dentist should be included in your oral health regime.

The majority of bad breath will start in your mouth and occurs because of bacteria. Food is probably the number one cause if you do not have dental problems. When certain types of foods break down, the leftover food particles can increase the bacteria causing halitosis. Garlic and onions are the biggest culprits as once digested they will stay in your system for 72 hours travelling through your bloodstream and into your lungs.

If you smoke, you may want to quit as smoking and other types of tobacco use will cause bad breathe. Smokers are also more susceptible to gum disease, which is another cause of halitosis.

As mentioned above, poor dental hygiene is the leading cause of bad breath. People who do not brush or floss will develop a sticky plaque or film of bacteria on their teeth. If it is not brushed away, that plaque will irritate your gum line eventually causing gingivitis. If left to its own devices gingivitis will form pockets that are filled with puss in-between your teeth and gums causing periodontitis. The more dangerous form of gum disease, periodontal disease, could have been prevented had you practiced good oral hygiene. Make sure that you also brush your tongue as the uneven surface can trap odor-causing bacteria. If you wear dentures, clean them regularly and make sure that you see your dentist regularly as ill-fitting dentures can also cause chronic bad breath.

Chronic dry mouth, mouth infections, and medications can inadvertently cause halitosis as well. If you have recently had oral surgery, you may also experience bad breath.

In most cases bad breath can be prevented, but only if you practice good oral hygiene and see your dentist regularly.

If chronic bad breath is becoming a problem for you or someone you know, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. Call or click now.

A Painless Alternative to Porcelain Veneers

If you have been considering porcelain veneers, but have been a bit reluctant because traditional porcelain veneers require some removal of your tooth’s enamel, talk to your dentist about Lumineers. Traditional porcelain veneers are permanent and cannot be removed. However, Lumineers are completely reversible.

Lumineers are thin pieces of porcelain that your dentist places on top of your teeth for a naturally beautiful smile. Lumineers are as thin as a contact lens and require no shaving or grinding of the natural tooth. In fact, Lumineers are so thin that your dentist can place them over your bridges and crowns without having to replace your old restorations.

When you schedule an appointment with your dentist for Lumineers, a thorough examination will be conducted to find out if you are a good fit. If you are free from gum disease and tooth decay, and your teeth are sound enough for Lumineers, your dentist will take x-rays and pictures before making an impression of both your lower and upper teeth. Once the impression has been made, your dentist will send it off to the Lumineers lab along with your dental records, photos, and x-rays to ensure the best possible fit. Unlike traditional porcelain veneers, there will be no shots, extensive drilling, or unsightly and uncomfortable temporary acrylic veneers.  

When your new Lumineers are ready, your dentist will make sure that each Lumineers fits perfectly before etching and bonding into place. Once placed, your dentist will make sure that your bite is balanced to avoid chipping.

Because traditional porcelain veneers are much thicker, your dentist must take a more aggressive approach when it comes to application. That aggressive approach means more removal of the natural structure of your tooth, which will require anesthetic and shots to minimize the pain and sensitivity. Because Lumineers are so thin, you will not have to deal with such aggressive steps for a beautiful new smile.

Gentle Touch Family Dentistry is a certified Lumineers provider who can give you the smile you have been dreaming about in as little as two appointments.

Call your Farmington Hills Dentist and schedule a no obligation Lumineers consultation today. A beautiful smile really is just a couple of dental appointments away. Call or click now. 

Raisins May Help your Teeth and Gums

Everyone knows that dried fruit can cause problems for your teeth; in fact, it wasn’t long ago that dentists, along with the rest of the public, believed that raisins promoted tooth decay. However, recent studies have indicated that raisins may actually be good for your pearly whites while helping to fight tooth decay.

The research that was conducted at the University of Illinois in Chicago discovered that there were certain chemicals in raisins that helped suppress oral bacteria growth associated with tooth decay and gum disease. You heard that right, according to researchers, raisins could even help prevent gum disease.

Sticky and sweet foods, such as apricots, figs, mangos, pineapples and other dried fruit are known to lead to dental caries and tooth decay as the bacteria that lives in our mouth thrives on any food that is left on your teeth. Sticky and sweet foods actually produce acid eating away the enamel on your teeth. Over time, that acid will eventually destroy the enamel causing tooth decay.

Raisins are sweet and sticky, but because they mainly contain glucose and fructose types of sugar, not sucrose, which your dentist will tell you are one of the main culprits of oral diseases caused by sugar, they are not as bad.

The studies have dispelled the myth that all sticky and sweet foods are bad for your teeth, in fact, some researchers believe that raisins may actually act like a teeth cleaner just like bananas and apples do. The same study determined that raisins are able to protect your teeth because they reduce acidic exposure.

Although raisins are better for your teeth than other types of dried fruit it is important to remember that any food particles that remain on your teeth will eventually cause tooth decay.

Your dentist recommends that you brush twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste and that you floss once a day as well. Other good oral health habits include a mouthwash recommended by the American Dental Association, and a good healthy diet that is loaded with fruits and vegetables. Regular checkups with your dentist along with twice-yearly professional cleanings should also be part of your oral health routine.   

If you would like more information regarding foods that are good for your teeth and good oral health habits, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

Root Canals are not as bad as you may think

Dentistry has certainly changed, but those two little words, “Root Canal,” can still send a grown man, or woman, running for the hills, but in reality, a root canal is no more painful than a simple filling.

According to the American Dental Association, a root canal is necessary if you have a diseased tooth. Pulp is what is inside of your tooth and contains blood vessels, nerves, and tissues that can become infected and even die.

Your dentist will recommend a root canal in order to save your tooth. The pulp inside your tooth can become damaged because of large fillings, chips or cracks in the tooth, a trauma to your face, deep decay or multiple dental procedures in the same tooth.  

When the nerve tissue or pulp inside your tooth becomes damaged, it will break down allowing dangerous bacteria to multiply inside of your tooth. Decayed debris along with bacteria will eventually cause a dangerous infection that could lead to an abscess. An abscess is a pocket that is filled with pus that forms at the bottom of your tooth. If you have an abscessed tooth, it is imperative that you call your dentist as quickly as possible as the infection can spread throughout your body and even to your brain. In addition to the infection and a possible abscess, a root canal can also cause swelling in your head, neck, or face and bone loss.

If your dentist determines that a root canal is necessary, x-rays will be taken to see if there is any infection around the bone before numbing the area with a local anesthetic. Although the nerve is dead, and won’t cause you any pain, most dentists will administer it anyway to make you feel more at ease.

To keep the area dry during the root canal, your dentist will place a sheet of rubber, called a rubber dam, around your tooth before drilling a hole into your tooth so that the decayed pulp tissue, including the nerves and debris can be removed.

Once removed your dentist will clean out the area with root canal files working down the entire length of your tooth to scrub and scrape the sides of your root canals. Water will be used from time to time during the root canal procedure to flush out the bacteria and debris.

After the tooth has been cleaned your dentist will seal it if the remaining infected tissue has healed. If a temporary filling is necessary, you may also be given antibiotics to help clear the infection.

Depending on how much decay or damage has been done to your tooth, your dentist may also decide to place a crown to protect your tooth against further damage.

If you believe you have an abscess or have been dealing with a toothache for far too long, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

Your Teeth Should Be a Team

If you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, you may not feel like opening your mouth when you smile, but according to your dentist, a closed mouth smile isn’t the only consequence when it comes to a missing tooth.

One or more missing teeth can make you embarrassed, depressed, and lower your self-esteem. Having a missing tooth can also affect your self-confidence, but the American Dental Association explains that missing teeth can also affect your overall health.

Your teeth work together as a team, and if one or more of your players is missing, you could be asking for trouble. If you lose a tooth, losing the game isn’t the only consequence.  

Missing teeth can cause all sorts of issues. A missing tooth leaves a space that your other teeth will try to fill.  When you lose one or more of your teeth, the others will drift into the empty space. Not only can this type of movement cause your teeth to tip or rotate, but malocclusion can also affect your jaw joints causing pain and locking.

Your dentist explains that tooth loss can affect the way you chew. If you have lost one of your molars, you tend to chew on the opposite side because you have more teeth to bite down on. The constant pressure caused by chewing on one side can cause lost fillings and tooth breakage.

Another problem caused from tooth loss is something that dentists refer to as hypereruption. If you have lost a tooth and your other tooth has nothing to meet with when you talk or chew, the opposing tooth will drop into place. Once this happens, the roots of your teeth could become exposed. Root exposure can cause sensitive teeth, root decay and gum disease.

Speaking of gum disease, that empty space left by your tooth is inviting food particles, bacteria, and plaque into the hole leaving you susceptible to gingivitis or the more serious periodontal disease. If left untreated, gum disease can cause gum recession leading to additional tooth loss. Gum disease can also affect your other organs including your brain and your heart.

Your favorite foods may become the most painful to eat if you have one or more missing teeth. Crunchy foods such as apples, carrots, and nuts will no longer be enjoyable because it may be painful. Not being able to eat healthy foods can eventually lead to poor nutrition and even more health problems.

If you like to talk, you may be surprised to learn that a missing tooth can affect your speech. You may develop a lisp or your voice could change completely.

However, there are some things you can do to replace your missing teeth. These include fixed dental bridges, partial or full dentures or the most popular and permanent solution, dental implants.

For more information regarding missing tooth replacement, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine what procedure would be best for your particular needs. 

Healthy Foods that May Not Be Healthy for Teeth

You may think you are eating healthy for your whole body but according to the American Dental Association, there are some healthy foods that are actually damaging to your teeth and gums.

Too much of a good thing, and that includes dried fruits such as prunes, figs and apricots can cause problems for your teeth. This naturally sweet treat is quite sticky and can get caught between your teeth and become lodged inside the fissures in your back teeth.

Other healthy foods such as citrus fruits can be just as bad as dried fruits because the bacteria in your mouth will quickly convert the acid into sugars eroding the enamel on your teeth. Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, kiwi fruit and the humble tomato, yes, it is also a fruit, should be enjoyed as part of a meal instead of a snack. If you do find yourself eating dried or citrus fruits without a meal, rinse with water. You may also want to brush twenty minutes after you rinse as well.

Your dentist understands that sports, energy and vitamin drinks are all the rage, but most people have no idea that those good for you drinks are loaded with sugar. If you do have a Gatorade, a flavored Vitamin Water or a Red Bull make sure that you chase it down with a glass of water.

Coffee, tea, and red wine will stain your teeth, but so will most dark foods. Drink plenty of water or brush your teeth if you like spaghetti bolognaise with marinara sauce or have a plate of curry for lunch. Blueberries, cranberries, and pomegranates can also be absorbed into your tooth’s enamel, which is quite porous.

These days more and more people are switching from white bread to whole wheat, white rice to brown rice and opting for sweet potatoes instead of russets, but unfortunately, even good carbohydrates can cause problems for your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth love to feast on carbs, including that wheat pasta that you devoured for dinner. Pasta and the other good carbohydrates mentioned above can also get stuck in-between your teeth.

Potato chips and French fries aren’t considered healthy foods, but there are some alternatives for weight watchers. Unfortunately, pita chips, wheat sticks, and low fat bread sticks can wreck havoc with your teeth. Starchy foods, even the good kind, are quickly converted to sugars and enamel eroding acids. Starchy foods can also get stuck in-between and on top of your teeth.

When it comes to Healthy Foods, it is best to talk to your dentist who can advise you on the best Healthy Foods for teeth and gums. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today.