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.

Custom Made Mouth Guards for All Sports

Now that the weather has started to warm up and Mother Nature has decided to cooperate, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your dentist for a custom-made sports mouth protector.

These days it is more important than ever to protect you and your family, which means more than elbow and kneepads.

Mouthguards, sports guards, and mouth protectors are all different names that essentially mean the same thing, and according to the American Dental Association is something that everyone should wear, even if you are not participating in a group sport such as soccer or football. Sports guards are a very important part of the uniform whether you or someone you know is involved in gymnastics, mountain biking or skateboarding. Tennis players, racquetball players, surfers, and roller bladders should all wear some type of mouthguard to protect themselves from blows to the head and face.

Mouth protectors are worn to protect the upper teeth, but can be custom made to fit the lower teeth as well, especially if you are someone you know wears braces or has a dental bridge.

There are three types of mouth protectors available. Stock mouthguards, boil and bite mouthguards and custom-made mouthguards. Whichever you choose, it should be comfortable, tear-resistant and resilient.

Stock mouthguards are the least expensive and are ready to wear. However, stock sports mouthguards can make it hard to breathe and talk, and often don’t fit as well as they should.

Boil and Bite mouth protectors are a step up from stock mouthguards and come pre-formed, but the shape can be altered by boiling before placing them into your mouth for a more customized fit. Follow the directions carefully to avoid a mouthguard that doesn’t fit as it should.

Custom made mouthguards are designed for you by your dentist and will give you the best protection and fit. After your dentist makes an impression or mold of your teeth, the custom-made mouthguard will be made to fit over the impression. Most amateur and professional athletes prefer custom-made sports mouthguards even though they are more costly.

Your dentist recommends that you replace your mouthguard every season because it can become less effective and wear down. It is extremely important to replace a child or adolescents mouth protector because their teeth and mouths will continue to develop over the years.

Schedule your appointment for a custom made mouthguard and keep you and your family safe this spring.

Dental Bonding is the Affordable Alternative to Veneers

If you are afraid to smile because of your teeth, your dentist can assess your situation to determine what cosmetic dental restoration procedures would be best for your needs.

There are all sorts of cosmetic dental restorations procedures that you may want to consider.  These include dental implants, porcelain veneers, Lumineers, Invisalign; tooth colored fillings, or dental bonding that can be done in as little as one dental appointment.

Dental bonding is the affordable alternative to porcelain veneers or Lumineers and can help with teeth that are stained, chipped, cracked, or damaged. If you have always wanted to fill that space between your teeth, dental bonding could be the answer.

According to Web MD, dental bonding is the least expensive and easiest way to repair the imperfections in your teeth. The composite tooth colored resin used by your dentist can be shaped to match your natural teeth improve the appearance of short teeth or change the entire shape of your tooth.  

Unlike porcelain veneers, no preparation is required for dental bonding. Anesthetic is usually not required unless you are having silver amalgam fillings replaced or bonding is being used to fill a cavity.

After your dentist has deemed you as a good candidate for dental bonding a shade will be selected from a guide that matches your natural tooth color.

Once the color has been chosen, the surface of the tooth will be etched to roughen it up. The tooth will then be coated with a conditioning liquid to help the tooth colored bonding material stick or adhere to your natural tooth.

After the tooth has been prepared, your dentist will place the resin over the tooth before molding and smoothing into place. After the desired shape is achieved, a laser or ultraviolet light will be used to harden or cure the tooth colored resin.

Enamel shaping improves the appearance of your teeth by contouring the enamel and is often used with dental bonding.

Dental bonding will not last forever and is not as strong as Lumineers or porcelain veneers; however, it is a great alternative if you are looking for a brighter whiter smile in just a few office visits.

For more information regarding dental bonding or any other cosmetic dental restoration procedure, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

Tooth Whitening can make a Difference in your Life

If tooth whitening has become an obsession, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist. People who constantly try new over the counter whitening products such as gels, toothpastes, strips and other whitening kits could be bordering on Bleachorexia. Dental specialists call people who can’t get enough of tooth whitening, Bleachorexics.

Although you probably won’t have to check into rehab to cure yourself of Bleachorexia, there are some things you can do to help keep your whitened teeth white.

Seeing your dentist for professional whitening is the most effective and quickest way to lighten your teeth. The American Dental Association explains that the products that your dentist uses are a lot stronger than what you will find at your local pharmacy. If you are bleaching at home, make sure you choose a product from the ADA approved list.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist to see if you are a good candidate for professional tooth whitening and what types of tooth whitening procedures are available. Unlike those over the counter whiteners, the custom made bleaching trays and the gel prescribed by your dentist will get your teeth much whiter and will cost you less in the long run. Just ask yourself how much you have paid for tooth-bleaching products in the past and you will quickly realize that professional tooth whitening is more economical.

If your dentist has deemed you a good candidate for tooth whitening, you can either opt for in-house whitening, which takes about an hour with immediate results, or the less expensive procedure, custom made trays that you take home with results in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Chair side whitening will give you dramatically whiter teeth in sixty to ninety minutes. During the procedure, your dentist will apply up to 35% hydrogen peroxide bleach followed by heat or light to speed up the whitening process. Depending on the person, you may need more than one appointment with your dentist for this type of tooth whitening. You may experience some temporary gum irritation or tooth sensitivity after in office tooth whitening.

Home Tooth Whitening in the comfort of your own home, but supervised by your dentist is also available. After your dentist makes custom-made bleaching trays, you will be given a tooth bleaching gel, along with a hydrogen peroxide gel to use at home. It has a lower concentration than what is used for patients having in office tooth whitening, but you will still see better results than you would from strips or gels from the local pharmacy. All you have to do is wear the gel-filled trays at night or a couple of times during the day for white teeth in four to six weeks. You may experience some tooth or gum sensitivity that will cease once you stop whitening.

Keep your teeth white with a white diet meaning cut down on red wine, coffee, tea, and spices such as cumin, curry, and turmeric. Think of your teeth like the whites in your washing machine and treat them as such. If you do enjoy these types of foods, make sure that you brush or at least rinse after eating or drinking.

If you are showing signs of Bleachorexia, schedule an appointment with your dentist for tooth whitening today.

What You Need to Know About Gum Disease

Gum disease is reversible, but if left to its own devices, could lead to tooth loss. If you are experiencing swollen or red gums, bleeding after brushing and flossing or bad breath that just won’t go away, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Your dentist explains that gum disease affects millions of people across the country, but what used to be an epidemic in adults over the age of 35, is now becoming more common in teenagers and even children.

Bacteria and plaque invading the gum line cause gingivitis, and the more serious periodontal disease. In the early stages of gum disease, your gums will bleed easy when you brush and floss. They will also become inflamed, red, and swollen. During the gingivitis stage, tissue damage and irreversible bone loss have yet to occur.

If you do not see your dentist for a professional cleaning, gingivitis can advance to the more serious periodontal disease. People who have periodontal disease will see the inner layer of their gums and jawbone begins to pull away from the tooth or teeth allowing pockets to form. Because your body is fighting the bacteria, the plaque will begin to spread and grow underneath your gum line. That bacteria, plaque and tartar, will begin to break down your bone along with the connective tissue that is there to hold your teeth in place.

When periodontal disease progresses, those pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums will begin to deepen, weakening the bones that anchor your teeth in place. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases, this does lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is the number one reason that adults lose their teeth.

The primary reason for gum disease is poor oral hygiene. To prevent gingivitis, the American Dental Association recommends that you brush twice each day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once each day and eat a healthy well-balanced diet. The ADA also recommends that you visit your dentist twice a year or more often if you have fought gum disease in the past. If you are unsure what products to use, check out the ADA list of approved dental care products.

Other causes of gum disease include hormonal changes such as menopause, puberty, and pregnancy. Gingivitis and periodontitis can also occur if you are on certain medications, such as Procardia, Dilantin, and Adalat, as these medications can cause abnormal growths to occur in and around the gum tissue. If are suffering from a systemic disease you may also be more susceptible to gum disease. Smoking and chewing tobacco can also cause gum disease as can a family history of gingivitis or periodontal disease.

For more information regarding gum disease prevention, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Nip Your Fear of the Dentist in the Bud with Sedation Dentistry

Often referred to as, “Sleep Dentistry,” Sedation Dentistry doesn’t actually put you to sleep unless you are having an invasive oral surgery such as a dental implant or an extraction.

Sedation Dentistry is used to help people overcome their fear of the dentist putting them in a relaxed state while still able to listen and adhere to the dentists commands.

Web MD explains that Sedation Dentistry is used to help people who experience anxiety when it comes to the dentist’s chair.

Some people are so phobic about dental checkups that they prefer to avoid treatment all together. Unfortunately, avoiding dental treatments can make problems worse. If you had taken care of that nagging toothache in the beginning, you might not need a Root Canal.

Sedation Dentistry is perfect for people who avoid the dentist as it can help relax you and ease the anxiety. Sedation Dentistry can be used for more invasive procedures such as an extraction or filling or for something as simple as a professional tooth cleaning.

If you opt for Sedation Dentistry, your dentist will use medication to help you relax. As mentioned above, unless you are being put under with general anesthesia, you will be awake during your dental procedure.

Four levels of Sedation Dentistry are used dependent on your fear level.

Minimal sedation, where you breathe nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is used with oxygen that you breathe through a mask that your dentist places over your nose. The gas is used to help you relax. Your dentist has the ability to control how much nitrous oxide you receive. After the procedure, the gas wears off quickly allowing you to drive yourself home after the dental treatment.

Moderate sedation, also called conscious or oral sedation requires you to be driven home after your dental therapy treatment. Depending on how much is administered, this type of sedation can range from minimal to moderate. The night before the procedure or on the day, you will be given a pill to take, which may make you drowsy or put you to sleep.

IV moderate sedation is administered through a vein and goes to work quite quickly. This type of sedation allows your dentist to adjust the levels of sedation throughout the procedure.

During deep sedation or general anesthesia, your dentist will give you medication that will make you nearly unconscious, or unconscious. This type of sedation is normally used for oral surgery procedures.

If you have been avoiding the dentist out of fear, schedule an appointment with your dentist for Sedation Dentistry. Leaving your bleeding gums or toothache to its own devices will only make things worse.