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Why Dental Bonding Might Be the Answer for Gaps in Your Teeth

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If you’ve felt embarrassed or ashamed of unsightly gaps between your teeth, there’s no need to feel that way anymore. With dental bonding, an inexpensive, painless, and quick procedure, you’ll be able to brighten your smile and boost your confidence in less than an hour. By creating a tooth-colored resin, dentists can fill in gaps between teeth in one visit. The bonding lasts for years and improves the look and feel of your smile. Here are just a few reasons to consider dental bonding for your tooth gaps.

It’s Quick

Taking the time to improve your smile is a multi-step process. First, you have to commit to brushing and flossing, and keeping your mouth free of any staining bacteria for a white, healthy-looking smile. But what happens when you suffer from a condition that’s out of your control? If you’ve dealt with gaps in your teeth for years and want to create a new, even and beautiful smile, dental bonding will help you achieve your goal in one, simple visit. You’ll come out of the dentist’s office with a new smile in less time than it takes to run your daily errands.

It Lasts

When you go for your dental bonding procedure, the results last anywhere from five to ten years. That means years of feeling more confident and less self-conscious about your smile. Whether your teeth are stained, discolored, or unevenly spaced, bonding can help. One session gives you the smile you’ve always wanted, and you can take it with you through the next decade of your life. You can choose from composite bonding, which contours and fills in the gaps between your teeth, or veneer bonding, which uses a porcelain finish to give you a brighter, more full smile. Both options are perfect for creating a polished, beautiful-looking set of teeth.

It Looks Great

Getting dental bonding for your teeth is like giving your mouth a clean slate. This effect is quite literal since when you receive dental bonding, you’re placing a brand new veneer over your preexisting teeth that will increase your mouth health and boost your smile for years to come. If you’ve ever felt shy or awkward having to smile and expose a few gaps in your teeth, getting bonding could be the perfect answer. Contact your dentist today and ask about the different bonding types, costs, and options that are available to you.

Common Types of Tooth Injuries That Occur in Sports

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For professional and recreational athletes alike, it can be easy to sustain a sports-related tooth injury on the field. When you’re playing a sport that exposes your head to a lot of blunt force, it’s likely that a tooth injury will occur if you’re not keeping your head and mouth protected, either with a helmet, mouth guard, or other preventative armor. Whether you’re a younger player or a seasoned veteran, keeping your mouth protected while engaging in sports can help your teeth stay safe and healthy. Always be on the lookout for the following tooth injuries on and off the playing field.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth can result from something as simple as a forceful clamping down on the jaw or something as complex as a head injury. When your tooth is chipped or broken, you’ll likely start experiencing a dull or aching pain. When the pain starts up, don’t delay in setting up an appointment with your dentist. If you want to prevent broken teeth, take care of your mouth during games by using the appropriate headwear. Wearing a mouth guard can prevent players from biting down too hard on contact with another player. They also allow players to keep their tongue out of harm’s way during the game.

Cracked Teeth

A cracked tooth can be an extremely painful problem to encounter, especially in the middle of a game. Similar to a fractured root, a cracked tooth can be created by the introduction of sudden force onto one specific area of the mouth, creating more pressure than the tooth and root can handle. When a tooth cracks, you’ll most likely be aware of the problem instantly. A trip to the dentist will help you repair your cracked tooth by inserting filling or, in more serious cases, a cap.

Knocked Out Teeth

One of the most dreaded tooth injuries a player can experience is tooth avulsion, or a knocked-out tooth. While this is a rather common and even expected condition with younger players whose adult teeth have not fully grown in, when it happens to an adult a much more serious dental intervention is needed. In high-contact sports such as football, soccer, or wrestling, it can be easy to lose a tooth on the field, especially while playing games that don’t call for protective headgear. When a player experiences a knocked-out tooth, it’s important to see a dentist right away to prevent any further pain or injury to develop.

What Is Fluorosis?

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Most of us understand that fluoride is immensely beneficial to our oral health. This is because it strengthens our teeth and makes them more resilient against decay. Consequently, many water supplies have been infused with fluoride to promote the development of strong teeth. However, what happens when one ingests too much fluoride?

Fluorosis

Fluorosis occurs as the result of ingesting too much fluoride too early in life. The first signs of fluorosis are typically brown stains and flaws across the surfaces of the teeth. See your dentist right away if this problem occurs, as they will most likely be able to treat the condition outright.

Causes

If a child consumes too much fluoride as their permanent set of teeth are coming in, they may develop fluorosis. After taking them to a dentist and confirming they have the condition you may need to have your child x-rayed to check if the problem has progressed to any areas other than the surface of their teeth. Further treatment protocol will be outlined in the next section.

Treatment

With fluorosis, it is important to remember that the problem is not a life-threatening one. Rather, it is merely cosmetic and is in no way reflective of the child’s health. This is a good thing because there are a wealth of cosmetic treatment options that are relatively simple: teeth whitening, crowns, tooth bonding, and veneers. If fluorosis is caught early, teeth whitening may be the best solution. This is due to the fact that the discoloration has yet to really set in. However, if the problem is left untreated then bonding or a crown may be required.

Prevention

If you have children and want to protect them from the social trauma that could potentially result from such a condition, the best way to help them is to take note of their fluoride intake. By maintaining careful watch, you can engage in a little preventative maintenance that will afford you ample time to address the problem just after it occurs. When showing your children how to measure out their fluoride, make sure the amount they are putting on their toothbrush is not larger than a pea. Additionally, get them into the habit of spitting after they brush, as one should never swallow fluoride. One effective means of preventing swallowing is forgoing flavored toothpaste for something much less enticing. Finally, take extra care to restrict your child’s access to other household items containing fluoride. This will ensure that they do not accidentally ingest anything without you knowing about it.

How to Prevent Your Diet From Ruining Your Oral Health

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The goal of oral hygiene is to keep our mouths as clean as possible so that our teeth last longer and we are we can exercise preventative maintenance over certain oral diseases and conditions. However, brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash are not the only essential components for maintaining optimal oral health. One area with significant impact is our diet. Imagine that, right? The food we intake directly affects our oral cavities! If you want more insight, read on–because the following is a brief list containing some advice on how to prevent your diet from ruining your oral health.

Sugar Problems

Cutting sugar out of your diet is probably a good thing even if you are doing so for reasons other than your oral health. We get far too much sugar as it is, which is bad news for our pearly whites, as sugar promotes the conditions that bacteria love to fester in.

Use a Straw

As mentioned above, sugar is in everything. Consequently, sometimes ingesting sugar is simply unavoidable. Fortunately, there’s no need to refuse that orange juice at breakfast, just make sure you drink it through a straw! As long as you immediately swallow the liquid and refrain from swishing it around in your mouth, then you should be fine. This also applies to soda and other sugary beverages. One extra step you could take is to have some water on hand that you could use to rinse your mouth after drinking.

Say No to Citrus

The acids present in fruits with high citrus content–such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons–can severely impact our teeth by demineralizing them. The best remedy is to steer clear of these fruits; however, if you absolutely have to have one, try to ingest it in a liquid form (such as orange or grapefruit juice) and dilute that with water. Additionally, make sure to consume the liquid through a straw so that it bypasses your teeth.

Brush Twice Per Day

Just because you’re dieting does not mean that you should not brush your teeth. On the contrary, brushing and flossing your teeth is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy smile no matter what you are eating. Brushing cleans the surface of your teeth and gums, while flossing removes any wayward food particles that may have become stuck in-between your teeth. Make sure you are doing this at least twice per day, once after every major meal.

Why Your Medical History Is So Important to the Dentist

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When we visit a dental office for the first time, we are required to fill out a medical history form. While many just scoff and skim over this, thinking it doesn’t relate to their oral health, the detriments of doing so could be extensive. This is because oral health is directly correlated with the body’s overall health. For this reason, it is important to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information on your medical history form. Here to further dilettante those reasons is a list explaining why giving a comprehensive and accurate account of your medical history is paramount to the dentist.

The Correlation Between Oral and Bodily Health

As mentioned above, current research indicates that there is a relation between oral and bodily health. Essentially, these studies argue that examining the health of one’s mouth provides a good idea as to what is occurring over the rest of the body. For this reason, one of the purposes of the medical history form is to provide an idea about what might be causing dental ailments and how these could relate to your overall health. Doing so will improve your quality of treatment and provide preventative maintenance of conditions that would otherwise develop.

Correlation with Diabetes

Numerous studies show that diabetics are at increased risk of developing periodontal disease. Periodontitis is a nasty infection that festers in the gums and can cause longterm damage to the bone structure beneath. Here, it is important that dentist possesses knowledge of your condition so they can recommend the best treatment plan.

Knee and Hip Replacements

One thing many people do not consider is how joint replacement affects certain dental procedures. Consequently, many patients who have undergone joint replacement will want to inform their dentist so they can be treated with antibiotics if necessary. The goal of the antibiotics is to destroy bacteria before it finds its way into the bloodstream. Therefore, it is essential that this treatment take place prior to the performance of any dental procedure.

Heart Disease

The studies outlined above also demonstrate a direct correlation between periodontitis and heart disease. They argue that the bacteria spawned from periodontitis can worsen heart disease. This is due to the blood clots that bacteria cause after entering the bloodstream. Such clots interrupt the blood that should otherwise find its way to the heart. The result is increased blood pressure and a higher potential for cardiac arrest.

The No Bone Solution for Dental Implant Treatment Explained

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So you have reached the conclusion that you need dental implants. But what happens when you find out that your jawbone is too degenerated for the procedure? The alternatives, dentures or bone grafting, are not as satisfying as a fresh set of implants and can discourage patients from having any work done at all. This is because both dentures and bone grafting come with their own issues that make them somewhat counterintuitive for fixing the problem in the long run. Fortunately, this conundrum is a thing of the past, largely because dental advancements have led to The

No Bones Treatment protocol.

A Brief Description of the Protocol
The procedure involves long titanium implants being installed into the jawbone in order to reach sturdy bone beneath, where they can adequately secure themselves (in the dental world, this is known as osseointegration). Even better, the procedure is form-fitted to the contours of the patient’s mouth, meaning they will have a pleasant and viable smile for years to come.

The Nitty Gritty

Before any surgery, the dentist authorizes a CT scan that will produce a 3D image of the jawbone. This image is then utilized for the installation of the implants. As they are placed, ensure that your dentist seats them comfortably. One of the problems that could occur here is that the implants may still be inadequate for reaching viable bone. Should this be the case, the dentist might opt to place them in the cheekbone. If you are considering this procedure, consult with your dentist regarding which location is best for you.

Sessions and Specifics

Most dentists can perform the No Bones Treatment in as little as four sessions. However, keep in mind that the amount of time is entirely dependent on the severity of the bone loss. The first session is where the dentist examines the mouth to make a diagnosis and determine whether the procedure is the right solution. After the diagnosis, the dentist will install the implants in the patient’s gums or cheekbones. Once the screws are placed, the dentist installs temporary teeth. The next step is to wait for approximately three months so the screws can properly set and osseointegration can occur. After this, the dentist will take impressions that are subsequently given to a lab. The lab then produces a permanent set of teeth and gives them back to the dentist. Once the dentist has the teeth, the patient can return for placement.

Is Sun Exposure Good for Your Teeth?

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Most of us know that we need to protect our skin from excessive sun exposure. But what about our teeth? Most of us have probably never considered whether or not sunburning our teeth is possible, though it most certainly is. As with the skin, excessive sun exposure can be very harmful to the mouth and teeth, so what can we do to protect our mouths? The following list considers the benefits and detriments of sun exposure as it relates to the teeth, and provides some useful suggestions for protecting our mouths from the sun.

Preventing Burns

The first step to guarding against burning your teeth and mouth is to take an assessment of your current hygiene routine. For example, if you whiten your teeth you will want to understand and follow all the instructions to the letter. If you bleach your teeth with anything UV-related, make sure you refrain from sun exposure. Conversely, you can protect your lips with UV resistant chapstick and drink water as much as possible. The latter helps you stay hydrated, which also reduces the chances of your mouth getting burned.

What Happens if you Burn your Teeth?

Of all the places in your mouth that could potentially be sunburned, burning your teeth is the most serious. If this occurs, make an appointment with your dentist immediately. Keep in mind that burns degrade teeth and cause a host of other dental issues. Upon your visit, your dentist will be able to provide you with some remedies for the burn and resulting pain.

It’s Not All Bad: Vitamin D and Teeth

Some studies have shown that vitamin D, which is absorbed by the body through sun exposure, can potentially reduce many of the risks associated with periodontal disease. This disease can cause irreversible bone damage and tooth loss. What’s more, many of these studies also show that subjects experiencing sufficient bone loss and calcium deficiencies are typically vitamin D deficient. The takeaway is that there is an obvious correlation between the two.

Periodontal problems promote the production of cytokines, which occur as the result of inflammation and can cause a plethora of issues throughout the body. Vitamin D guards against this by stifling cytokine production, which could potentially reduce the risks associated with periodontal disease. Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D will not only help your teeth and gums, it will guard against a range of other potentially life-threatening issues as well.

How Bad Is Falling Asleep Without Brushing Your Teeth?

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Most of us understand that brushing our teeth is an efficient means of preventing cavities, maintaining a glittering smile, and preserving fresh breath. In the social sphere, all of these outcomes are advantageous. In terms of personal hygiene, they cannot be ignored. However, what happens when we forget and fall asleep without brushing our teeth? Is the damage minimal or irreversible? Here to give you a better idea of the consequences is a brief list describing just what happens when you fall asleep without cleaning your teeth.

What Happens to the Teeth?

Every time we eat, we are simultaneously feeding ourselves and the bacteria that reside in our mouths. Just like us, the bacteria defecate after they eat. Can you guess where? That’s right, all over our teeth! The waste that bacteria leave behind is highly acidic and eats away at tooth enamel, eventually causing tooth decay and cavities.

Sleeping without brushing allows plaque to calcify on the teeth. Once this has occurred, it can only be removed by a dentist. Even worse, gums misread plaque as an infection, which causes the immune system to attack. Consequently, the body also starts to attack healthy tissue that is trying to hold the teeth in place, causing the gums to peel away from the teeth.

The Dangers of Inflammation

Long term inflammation can cause excessive long term damage. Just how much damage? Well, some studies have linked habitual inflammation to heart disease, hearing loss, and dementia. Granted, all of this won’t happen if you forget to brush your teeth a couple times; it’s when you make a habit out of it that thinks can get dangerous. Rather than promoting bodily degradation, just take an extra five minutes for preventative oral hygiene. It doesn’t even necessarily matter when you brush, so long as you remove the bacteria once in the morning and once at night.

Tips and Tricks

Keeping a toothbrush next to your bed means you can give your teeth a quick brush if you forget to do so before getting into bed. You don’t even need toothpaste for this trick, just keep some sanitizer on hand to clean your brush afterwards. Additionally, you can also do the same with floss. There’s also a great memorization technique that can be used before bed: get into the habit of running your tongue over your teeth, and pay attention to whether the surface feels thick and pasty, or smooth. This habit provides a quick and effective means of knowing whether your teeth are clean or caked in plaque.

How Important Is Brushing Your Tongue?

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Everyone knows the importance of brushing their teeth. We learn from a very young age that we must properly and frequently brush our teeth, floss in between, and rinse with mouthwash in order to preserve oral health and maintain a beautiful smile.

Most people also understand the consequences of a failure to engage in proper oral hygiene following meals. If you don’t care for your teeth and your mouth, you could suffer loss of tooth enamel, staining, and tartar and plaque buildup that lead to more serious issues like cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss.

How does this happen? Food particles left in your mouth serve as fuel for bacteria, which can flourish and leave behind a harmful film on your teeth that erodes enamel and allows infection to spread. In other words, brushing, flossing, and rinsing are of the utmost importance, as are regular dental visits for cleaning and check-up.

What about brushing your tongue, though? Is this something you do regularly, or something you’ve never even considered? The fact is that brushing your tongue is just as important as brushing your teeth. Here’s what you need to know.

Bacteria Isn’t Confined to Your Teeth

Bacteria in your mouth can build up on every surface, not just on your teeth, so while brushing and flossing is a good start, you need to go the extra mile by brushing your tongue. Of course, it’s important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and use gentle strokes so as not to break the skin. No matter how clean your mouth is, open sores can cause discomfort and open the door to infection.

Rinsing Isn’t Enough

Rinsing with mouthwash is a great way to get at bacteria in the nooks and crannies that your toothbrush can’t reach, but it isn’t foolproof, especially when it comes to your tongue. Have you noticed a film on your tongue that doesn’t go away after rinsing?

This is caused by a buildup of food, bacteria, and biofilm that sticks to the tongue, causing bad breath and creating conditions that could lead to tooth decay and gum disease. You need to attack it with your toothbrush to completely get rid of it.

Proper Technique

The proper way to brush your tongue clean is to brush both back-and-forth and side-to-side, followed by rinsing. Just be careful not to brush too hard – you don’t want to cause more harm than good. You could also use a tongue scraper if you prefer, so discuss it with your dentist to find out which tools are best suited to keeping your mouth clean and healthy.

How Dental Implants Prevent Signs of Aging

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When you suffer tooth loss, you may be understandably concerned about other problems that could arise as a result. Naturally, your appearance is a factor, since you want to maintain a beautiful and attractive smile. You might also be worried about your ability to eat normally, as well as issues that could develop, such as bone loss in the jaw or tooth misalignment as neighboring teeth lean into the gap.

You might not know that a failure to correct tooth loss could also age you considerably. In other words, you need to take action to prevent the potential side effects of tooth loss, and dental implants could be the best possible solution, provided you’re a good candidate for this treatment. Of course, you might still wonder how dental implants prevent the signs of aging. Here’s the lowdown.

Beautiful Smile

Unless you’re a small child losing baby teeth to make way for adult teeth, tooth loss is generally something people connect with old age. These days, it’s a somewhat antiquated assumption, thanks to advances in modern dentistry and oral health products and processes that help people to maintain natural teeth well into old age. In addition, tooth loss could be related to any number of factors, including accidental trauma, infections, and more.

That said, if you have gaps in your teeth that disrupt your smile and cause your other teeth to start moving, leading to misalignment and bite issues, it’s going to make you look older. This is especially true if you avoid smiling.

Okay, sure, limited smiling could help you to avoid a few crow’s feet, but a stolid or scowling expression hardly makes you look younger, and if you do smile, prominent gaps could make you look like the aged, fairy tale villain. Dental implants preserve your beautiful, perfect smile and help you to maintain a young and attractive appearance.

Full Face

Losing a single tooth might not result in a gap big enough to cause the skin of your cheeks or lips to become sunken, but if you lose a few teeth and do nothing to correct the issue, a lack of teeth and subsequent bone loss in the jaw could certainly cause portions of your face to collapse inward. This could result in the gum-sucking look typically attributed to the very elderly and make you look a lot older than you are.

You don’t have to succumb to old age (or at least the appearance) early. With dental implants to replace missing teeth, you can maintain an attractive smile, proper oral function, and a young appearance that matches your actual age and/or the age you feel.

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