One of the biggest mistakes a dentist sees his patients make during these years failing to replace teeth that may no longer be viable and have to be extracted. For what ever reason the extraction occurs, it is imperative that the space left behind be filled as soon as possible. Far from being only a matter of cosmetics, the drifting of adjacent teeth can cause further damage to overall oral health. Crooked teeth caused by the extracted tooth space can be hard to clean and will also weaken supporting structures. There are three options available for this problem. Fixed bridges are a good stable option if the surrounding teeth are in good health as this method of replacement involves “anchoring” the bridge to adjacent teeth. Another option is a removable appliance, sometimes still referred to as dentures, though, that is a term normally thought to apply to an entire set of manufactured teeth. Removable appliances are probably the most economical. The third option, and the most popular, especially for patients under the age of seventy, is a dental implant. This option has an artificial root implanted into the patients jaw to replace the missing tooth with a life-like manufactured tooth. This option is the most aesthetically pleasing of the choices but is also the most expensive, time-consuming and invasive. And that will bring us to the importance of keeping our original set of teeth with good oral hygiene and regular visits to your family dentist and cleanings by your family dental team.

Fifty percent of all seniors had no natural teeth remaining just a few decades ago. That statistic is now down to twenty seven percent. This is positive proof that regular care should provide that we can all keep our natural teeth for life, providing we take the time and make the necessary effort. The importance of oral care stretches far beyond keeping our natural teeth, however, as recent studies show a correlation between gum disease and heart disease. People with severe periodontal disease face as much as a double risk of heart disease and recent studies show an increased possibility of stroke as well. Bacterial endocarditis can be a direct result of oral infection. Regular periodontal treatments by your family dentist are essential to prevention of adverse affects of gum disease to your overall health.

Another problem that can occur at the later stages of life is dry mouth. Again, keeping your family dental team apprised of your medications can be helpful. Common medications for depression, high blood pressure and diabetes can contribute to the condition of dry mouth. As a matter of fact, there are 400 medications that are known to cause dry mouth but blame can also be assigned to the natural ageing process. While this seems of small consequences overall, dry mouth causes an increase in the gum recession that already can be a problem at mature ages. This leaves the root areas more susceptible to cavities that are much more problematic on these softer surfaces of the teeth due to a quicker rate of decay. Be sure to talk to your family dentist and dental team about the problem of dry mouth should it arise. Awareness is always a valuable tool in prevention of damage to oral and general health. Some of the suggestions you may be given are to avoid dry salty foods, avoid alcohol and alcohol based mouthwashes, rinse mouth frequently with water and increase liquid intake. Also you may want to take advantage of products on the market that are specially formulated for the problem of dry mouth such as toothpastes, chewing gum and mouth washes, an example being Biotene products which are widely recommended..

Some of the challenges in the later years may be lack of self administered care due to hardships presented by arthritis or dementia. Help and counseling can be provided by a family dentist whether it is for you or someone in your family for which you are providing care. The dental team’s knowledge of the patient’s medical history is an asset not to be underestimated.

The later adult years in life will hopefully be joyful and healthy ones. Often a person’s oral health is a good indicator of their general health. The following are things to keep in mind for these years:

Extracted tooth replacement is very important to keep remaining teeth healthy.

Our teeth should last us our lifetime with proper care of teeth and gums alike and lack of care can cause many more health problems than previously understood.

Natural problems, such as dry mouth, can occur in the aging process. Medications can contribute to this condition, but armed with new knowledge and with the help of some new products on the market the effects can be minimized.

Your family dentist can help with counseling and information should special challenges arise. Be sure to keep the dental team apprised of any debilitating conditions.

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As we all know, dentists are physicians that take care of our oral health and hygiene. They perform regular checkups and cleaning while monitoring your mouth for signs of cavities and gum disease. Many dentists also perform some surgery such as tooth extractions and root canals. So how is an orthodontist different from a regular dentist?

The root of the word orthodontist comes from the Greek word orthos, which means “straight”. In turn, this type of dental profession is concerned with keeping or making teeth straight. This can include over or under bites, misaligned jaws, tooth irregularity, and the intimate relationship between jaw shape and position and tooth alignment. Perhaps the most common work of an orthodontist is the placement of braces on the teeth of growing children in order to correct their alignment.

Dental braces can represent a hideous time of childhood for many kids. Classmates are often ruthless and will mercilessly tease children that look difference. A bright, shining row of metal along the top and bottom teeth can even prevent many children from smiling and revealing their secret. In the long run, it is hard to argue with the beneficial effects of dental braces. They help the jaw remain properly aligned and can prevent problems in the future. Plus, they enhance the aesthetic aspect of teeth alignment and look better.

Dental braces are made from stainless steel. Recently, some forms of braces used by the orthodontist are made with ceramic and look better because they more closely resemble the tooth enamel. Brackets and wires within and along the braces interact with each other to move teeth into the desired position over a number of months or years. The process is slow and painstaking and can take quite a long time. There are also clear plastic liners that are used to realign teeth without betraying their presence. Sometimes these retainers can be worn only at night. There are a variety of other utensils and equipment that are used to help straighten teeth. Plates, headgear and expansion tools are commonly used in children requiring severe jaw modifications.

The decision about which type of tooth straightening apparatus to use largely depends on the level of severity that the orthodontist is trying to fix. Mild to moderate problems can usually be easily fixed over a long period of time just by wearing a retainer at night. However, some people were born with irregular jaw alignment that resulted in dramatic crookedness of their teeth. These folks will require more extensive and more expensive interventions for a longer period of time.

Long-term maintenance of dental braces may be required as a person ages. In some cases, the patient does not have to participate in any maintenance measures and the work done by their orthodontist is more or less permanent. Other patients may be required to wear a retainer at night. This is important to maintain the results of the intervention because dental braces are expensive and painful and you wouldn’t want to have to wear them again after correcting the problem.

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Dental emergencies are rare, but sometimes you can’t avoid them. It is important that you know what type of dental emergencies that need this type of urgent care. A clinic offering emergency dental care can provide the necessary expertise and treatment to alleviate the problem quickly, safely, and effectively. Here are some of the dental emergencies that require immediate treatment.

One of the most common reasons to seek emergency dental care is a persistent toothache, or periapical periodontitis. This type of toothache is spontaneous, painful, confined to one area, and worsens when the patient bites something. The gum area around the affected portion can also be painful. In this type of scenario, an abscess might form, which can lead to swelling of the face. This is a dental emergency because you need immediate pain relief. Emergency care can also prevent problematic side effects like airway obstruction.

Another situation that needs the services of an emergency dentist is trauma and bleeding. Normally when a tooth falls out, the tooth socket would bleed for a few minutes and then stop. The problem is that clots can usually dislodge and cause further bleeding if the patient chews on something hard. Physical trauma that dislodged teeth may also cause severe bleeding. A dentist specializing in emergency cases would attempt to control the bleeding through the application of pressure on the affected area for about fifteen to thirty minutes. They may use a hemostatic agent if the compress is not effective. Suturing the area is the last resort.

Another reason to seek an emergency dentist is fractured teeth. Fractures in permanent teeth, especially those that reach all the way into the teeth’s inner layers, require immediate treatment to prevent pulpal infection. What the emergency dentist would do is to place dentine padding on the affected part. You need to see a dentist within 24 hours to make sure there are no complications.

Post dental surgery complications are also situations that may require urgent care. One such situation is post extraction pain. Some discomfort is normal after an extraction, and it usually fades after a few hours. However, if the condition persists and painkillers do not work, you may need a dentist to check for other problems such as dry socket or a jaw fractures.

Lost dental fillings are also reasons to seek urgent dental care. This problem can create complications such as food or debris getting stuck in the teeth, which in turn can cause pain and infection.

Not all dental clinics offer emergency services, so you should make sure to find one in your area. Don’t wait until an emergency occurs, as this may cause you to rush to the nearest clinic without determining if they’re efficient and reliable or not. Look for clinics with emergency dentist at night and on weekends to make sure they are available no matter when your accident or emergency occurs.

Visit http://www.shinedentalgroup.com for more information.

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When a cusp of a tooth cracks and begins flexing upon biting, it can cause sharp pain. This is called cracked tooth syndrome. Sometimes the sharp pain will only occur occasionally when the cusp is bitten at just the right angle. Often cold, hot or sweets will also cause the sharp pain by seeping into the crack. Cracked tooth syndrome is corrected by putting a crown over and around the tooth to hold the tooth together. If left untreated, the cusp will eventually fracture, causing the possible need for root canal therapy or even extraction.

Often times the cracks are very fine and cannot be seen. So to determine cracked tooth syndrome, I have the patient bite on a dental bite stick on each cusp in a particular area until the cracked cusp is identified. As long as the tooth pain goes way immediately on release, it can be treated with a crown. However if the tooth pain lingers with a dull ache, then the nerve is dying and the tooth needs root canal therapy.

A cracked tooth cannot heal itself. At first a crack may be small and unobtrusive. But if it is left untreated, the crack may progress further across the tooth or deeper into the tooth. Therefore, the sooner the crack can be treated, the more likely the tooth can be saved.

TYPES OF CRACKS

A craze is a surface crack that shows as a line on the tooth enamel. Although it may not look very attractive, a craze usually does not need treatment. If there are cosmetic reasons the tooth with the crazed enamel can be treated with a veneer or bonding.

A fracture is a crack, usually through the cusp of a tooth,that causes part of the tooth to grow weaker and even break off. A fractured cusp usually can be restored with a crown. However if the fracture extends into the nerve or the jawbone, then a root canal or extraction will be necessary.

A split is a vertical crack that extends so deeply into the tooth that it can separate into pieces. Depending on the location and severity of the split, the tooth may be saved or need removal. Last month, I had a 45-year-old male patient that split his upper bicuspid in half. The two halves were removed and a dental implant placed under sedation dentistry. The patient never had any discomfort and could not tell he ever had a missing tooth.

A root fracture is a crack that begins in the root of the tooth and slowly extends upward. This type of crack may not be noticed until the surrounding gum and bone show signs of infection. In this situation, the tooth usually needs removal.

Symptoms of A Cracked Tooth

• Pain when you bite down
• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages
• Discomfort when the tooth is exposed to air
• Toothache for no apparent reason

Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, only visual evidence of a crack. Other times a crack may be more difficult to identify, even with examinations or x-rays. Also, the pain or sensitivity may be intermittent, usually a sign of cracked tooth syndrome.

Cracked Tooth Prevention

• Do not chew on hard items (ice, unpopped popcorn kernels, pens, pipes, etc.).
• Do not use your teeth for gripping or tearing, like opening bottles or tearing bags.
• Do not clench or grind your teeth.
• Use a bite splint or night guard to help alleviate clenching and grinding.
• Use a mouth guard to protect your mouth when participating in sports.

A number of years ago, I saw an electrician who was continual stripping wire with his teeth. On numerous occasions, I repaired fractures of the edges of his upper front teeth with cosmetic bonding. He would confess the fractures occurred from stripping wire with his teeth. He knew that he should use wire strippers, but was always in a rush and could not easily find the tool. I recommended he have many wire stripping tools everywhere; it would be much better and cheaper. After his fifth time, I jokingly offered to drill different gauge grooves in his teeth to help him easily strip different sized wire. He laughed and began using the wire stripping tools more often.

By following these prevention tips and having regular dental checkups to monitor any emerging cracks, you can help preserve your teeth in good health.

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Some people may think that to alter or improve their appearance, the last person they would need to go would be to a dentist because after all, all they do is check your teeth for cavities and tell you how often you should brush or floss right? Maybe you can consider them for the occasional tooth extraction or two but otherwise, they can’t possibly contribute anything more to your appearance can they?

That’s where you’re wrong my friends. If you’re in the market for a makeover, it’s true that you can go to certain specialists but do not underestimate the power of a dentist to improve your appearance. In fact, if the latest cosmetic dentistry procedures are any basis, they can actually do more for your appearance than you think.

A visit to the dentist’s office these days, goes beyond the usual scraping the plaque off your teeth’s surface and just going for your bi-annual check-ups. Dentists these days can change the size, shape, color and length of your teeth, make you look ten years younger and get you ready for your close-up. They can whiten your teeth, bridge the gaps between them, cover up your misshapen teeth and straighten them without anybody noticing.

They can also reinvent your look by doing a gum lift when too much of your gums show when you smile or lengthen or round up the shape of your teeth or give you fuller lips like Angelina Jolie’s by increasing the bulkiness of your veneers so that your lips are pushed slightly outward, shaping your lips more attractively.

A good cosmetic dentist can do just about anything but that doesn’t mean you can go to just any cosmetic dentist. It is still important that you be able to find the best dentist for you, one that you feel comfortable with and most especially one that you can also comfortably afford. The best dentist is also not one who charges the cheapest rate.

For starters, you need to ask around for recommendations. Go for dentists who do some teaching but are involved more with dental practice than academics. Don’t go for those who advertise at 800 numbers because dentists who can be contacted on these numbers pay to get on these lists. The only ones who are recommending them are themselves.

Of course, during consultation it is only natural for dentists to ask you questions about your medical history but that’s not to say you can’t ask them questions. The top three questions you should ask when meeting with a dentist for the first time should be the following:

– Do they work on their own or with other specialists? If no, move on to the next person on your list because no health care professional is good at every specialty.

– Can I have the names of the specialists you work with? You should absolutely ask for this then do your own checks on the specialists.

– Do they have hygienists? If the dentist does their own cleaning, move on to the next person on your list. A hygienist should be the one doing all the cleaning.

And last but certainly not the least, evaluate your first visit to the dentist. Check and observe your surroundings as well as the staff and the equipment, as well as the tools he uses. If you feel comfortable and the environment seems it is dedicated to making patients feel at ease, then the dentist may be worth your time and effort and yes, another visit.

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