Beware of Drinks Bad for Teeth
Three Tips For Protecting A Professional Teeth Whitening Procedure By Brushing Up And Down
Even if your teeth have extremely stubborn yellow stains on them, a professional teeth whitening procedure will go a long way toward improving your overall appearance. However, while this procedure is designed to last a long amount of time, certain precautions are necessary to ensure that it doesn’t fade sooner than it should. For example, to protect a professional teeth whitening procedure by brushing up and down instead of side to side, read these three tips. Use A Plastic Dental Scaler To Loosen Plaque On Your Front Teeth Brushing up and down is easier on your teeth because you won’t be tempted to speed up your brushing strokes to the point where they’re unnecessarily abrasive. To keep this cleaning strategy from getting too slow and inefficient, use a plastic scaler on your front teeth before you start to loosen up plaque. While it’s a good idea to slowly go across the entirety of your mouth with a metal scaler every once in awhile, there’s no need to work with the plastic scaler for longer than you have patience for. A few swipes on each tooth is all it takes to loosen plaque enough for your actual toothbrush. Put Toothpaste On Your Brush Twice For Each Row Of Teeth It’s harder to balance how much of your toothpaste goes on each tooth when you’re brushing up and down because it’s a more clumsy task to transfer between each row of your mouth. To compensate for this, apply half of your normal toothpaste allotment to your toothbrush twice instead of applying it all at once. To get the full effect of your first toothpaste allotment, don’t wash your toothbrush in water before you switch to the other row of your mouth. If there’s so much paste and saliva residue on the brush that you don’t think the new toothpaste will sit still, just lightly shake the brush over the sink for a few seconds. Make Sure That The Bristles On The Brush Aren’t Bending Too Far The harder you press your toothbrush on your teeth while you’re brushing up and down, the less room that the ends of the bristles will have for actually moving across the enamel. In the worst case, the bristle ends will just stay in one place while the bristles themselves wobble up and down, stunting the effectiveness of your brushing regimen. Your teeth themselves will also get unnecessarily sore from the pressure you’re putting on them. If you have to, use your free hand to hold your upper or lower lip away from your teeth so that it’s easier to hold and move your toothbrush in a consistent way. Always keep track of whether the ends of the bristles are actually able to move across the lengths of your teeth. For further assistance, contact a local family dentist, such as Village Family...
read moreManaging The Cost Of Dental Implants
Anyone interested in dental implants has probably found them to be a high priced option, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to manage that expense. From insurance to financing, low cost services and a host of other programs, it’s not unrealistic to think that you can find a way to afford the dental prosthesis you want. Once you know all of the options available to you, you can start picking from those that work for you and for which you’re already qualified. Conventional Options The most traditional approach to managing dental costs is the use of insurance plans, but dental implants fall into the category of major services. As a result, you’ll need to reach out to your employer or your insurance carrier to find out whether your current plan offers coverage for implant procedures. Most high tier plans offer some measure of coverage, but the majority of basic tier plans don’t, and even those plans that do will often have limitations or requirements that you’ll have to fulfill, such as getting a written quote prior to surgery. Apart from insurance, health spending accounts offered by your employer can also offer you a way of minimizing the impact of dental implant surgery. These accounts allow you to have money deducted directly from your paycheck throughout the year, so you avoid paying for the procedure all at once. Some providers of these accounts place limitations on how much can be spent at once though, so inquire with the provider or your employer to get specific details. Alternative Approaches When looking at the price of dental implants, it’s possible to save on this by seeking treatment with a dental school as part of the hands on training that new dentists receive. Student dentists are supervised by fully licensed and experienced dentists, so you don’t have to worry about inexperienced hands, but you’ll often find that services offered in these settings are considerably lower than those offered by conventional dental practices. Finally, if no other options are available, consider financing options offered by dental practices. By offsetting the cost with insurance and paying down some of the remainder with your employer-offered HSA, you may be able to lower the final expense to a range that is reasonable for financing. These are credit companies, and as such there may be a limitation placed on the amount that they’ll offer financing for, but when the alternative is paying it all at once this can be worth investigating. Talk to professional dental clinics, like Crystal Dental Care, to see if they’re willing to work with your financial situation. Just because dental implants are high priced doesn’t mean that you should write them off as out of reach. Use the resources available to you, and don’t ignore alternative approaches to cost management. With the right combination of accounts, services and budgeting, you can get the new dental prosthesis you need and still have money left in the...
read moreAnswers to Your Most Important Questions about In-Depth Dental Cleanings
If it has been more than six months since you had a dental cleaning, it is a good idea to be aware of what an in-depth, professional cleaning will consist of and then to make the necessary appointment. Even if you have provided yourself with frequent and appropriate dental care at home, without professional cleaning, plaque is likely to form on your teeth and gums. Therefore, you will need an in-depth cleaning to restore your dental health and appearance. Why Do You Need a Deep Dental Cleaning? If it has been too long since you had a regular dental cleaning, you are likely to benefit from a deep cleaning that includes a deep scaling and root planing. It is important to note that if you have not had a professional cleaning for some time, plaque will form and harden on and around your teeth. At that point, it can only be removed completely by a dental professional. When left untreated, plaque can result in the following issues: Tooth decay Gingivitis Bad breath Tooth loss Infection Pain Bone loss What Is Root Scaling? Root scaling refers to a scraping of the teeth and gums, all the way down to the root. If you have severe plaque or advanced gum disease, you may need to plan for more than one appointment to treat the problem. What Is Root Planing? Root planing is the process of smoothing any rough dental layers that occur during scaling. It will almost always occur at the same visit as your dental scaling. By combining the two, you are deep cleaning and smoothing the teeth and gums. The two together are often an effective way to manage any gum disease that may have developed in recent months. It is important to note that some pain or discomfort may occur, so you may want to discuss the possibility of local anesthesia during your procedures. It is not always necessary. Receding or bleeding gums are frequently some of the earliest symptoms of gum disease, so be sure to ask your dentist at your cleaning what the diagnosis is. To prevent infection after the procedures, your dentist may prescribe oral antibiotics or an antibiotic dental rinse. In conclusion, professional dental cleanings should be a constant in virtually every person’s life from infancy. If it has been a while since you had a professional cleaning, it is a good idea to allow extra time for a more complex cleaning at your next appointment to restore your former...
read moreReplacing A Tooth? Dental Crowns Are Affordable And Practical
If you chipped a tooth and you are considering getting a crown or an implant, getting an implant may not be the best choice. A lot of people think that they will be able to get the implant and it will last for a lifetime without any problems, but that isn’t always the case. Here are a few reasons you want to talk with your dentist about getting a crown on the damaged tooth and some of the benefits you’ll experience with the crown. Implants Aren’t Always Forever Dental implants have a 95 percent success rate, so you still run the risk of having the body reject the implant, or the implant doesn’t work. If so, you’ve spent a lot of money, a tooth has been extracted, you’ve endured pain undergoing the treatment and surgery, and you’ve wasted time. The Cost is More Affordable The cost to have a dental implant surgically fused to the bone can be around $1,500-$7,500 for a single tooth. The cost for a porcelain crown to cover a damaged tooth can be as low as $500.00 without insurance in some areas around the nation, and is a much more affordable option if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. Quick Treatment The crown will be put on at a single visit. This means you walk into the dental appointment, the dental expert will prep the tooth, bond the crown, and then you can walk out. The dentist may numb the area but you don’t have to go under anesthetic to have the crown put on. Longevity If you take care of the crown properly with cleanings and maintenance from the dentist, it can last for 15 years or longer. This is a good investment for such an affordable solution that has a fast procedure. If your tooth doesn’t need to be completely replaced and you aren’t sure if you want to remove it to put in a permanent dental implant, putting on a crown is going to be a better choice. Talk with your dental professional about the different types of crowns you can have put on the tooth to learn which is going to be the most natural looking, affordable and long lasting. The sooner you get the tooth the fixed the better it will be for your oral health, to protect the tooth from plaque, sugar, carbohydrates and other cavity causing debris. To learn more, contact a dental clinic like Bae & Bae Family...
read moreTooth Restoration: Why You Could Benefit from Dental Onlays and Inlays
A chipped or cracked tooth can easily be restored to give you a straight smile. Among the many cosmetic treatments used to fix teeth damaged by accidents or decay are inlays and onlays. These are cosmetic devices that are a medium between fillings and dental crowns, and are mostly used to restore teeth that have suffered moderate decay or fracturing. Inlays are onlays are made of porcelain and attached to the top of a damaged tooth to restore its structure and protect the tooth from further decay. The only difference between the two is their size; if they extend over one or more cusps, they are onlays, and if they are used to fill cavities between the cusps, they are inlays. How onlays and inlays are applied These dental products are more or less like fillings, except they are made of porcelain and can be tightly fit to the top of the damaged tooth like a crown. Their application requires two dental appointments. During the first dental visit, your dentist will remove the damaged part of the tooth to create room for the inlay or onlay, and then use the impression of your remaining tooth and gum to create an exact replica of your tooth. This impression is used to make a mold of your cosmetic device, ensuring it fits perfectly in your mouth. The next dental visit involves the actual installation of the dental prosthesis. The dentist will position the device perfectly onto the affected tooth and bond it into place using dental cement, so that the structure of the tooth is restored and further decay to the inside of the tooth halted. Once the onlay or inlay is attached, you will have a shiny, natural smile. Benefits of onlays and inlays Dental onlays are a great alternative for restoring a tooth affected by moderate decay or sensitivity, where using a crown would be uncalled for due to the minor extent of the damage to the surface of the tooth. Unlike crowns, onlays will require less invasive dental work, leading to a stronger tooth structure. Inlays are great alternatives to conventional fillings in covering cavities, as they are made of natural looking porcelain instead of metal alloys, and are thus more natural-looking and attractive. Inlays are also not likely to shrink and expand when subjected to varying temperatures unlike their metal counterparts, enabling them to remain intact for much longer. Furthermore, inlays are easier to clean than fillings and feel more natural against your teeth. For more information, talk to a dentist like Larsen-Haslem...
read more3 Reasons to See an Orthodontist as Soon as You Can
There are some chronic pain issues that are easier to ignore than others. When it comes to your mouth, dental pain is almost always a sign that something needs to be addressed. Not all dental issues can be fixed by a dentist, however. If you are experiencing any of the following issues, you should be looking to meet with an orthodontist as soon as possible. Jaw Discomfort Can Become a Serious Issue Many people have jaws that are not properly aligned. Having a serious overbite can make it difficult to chew, and it can also cause your teeth to grind into your lower teeth and gums. If your jaw has pain near the joints, you could have a disease known as TMJ, which causes strain in the joint and the muscles around the joint. Ignoring issues that persist with your jaw could mean permanently damaging mouth tissue and teeth. An orthodontist will help you accurately assess what is causing your pain by giving you an oral exam and, if necessary, an MRI. Crooked Teeth May Cause Mouth Abrasions In addition to jaw alignment issues, if you have teeth that are crooked and jagged, you may need orthodontic care soon. Particularly, if one or more of your teeth are cutting the sides of your mouth, and if these abrasions have caused abscesses to grow, you’ll want to have an orthodontist examine you for braces. Where there are serious health concerns, your insurance may pay for some of the costs of your braces. Ongoing injury to your mouth from your teeth can lead to serious bacterial disease and virus, so you may qualify for coverage under your plan. Looking Your Best Leads to Confidence If you have been wanting to straighten teeth that have a little space between them, especially for a big event that you have coming up, you’ll want to see an orthodontist soon. Although really crooked teeth and bites can take over a year to fix, some minor straightening can be done in six months or less. If you want your teeth to be perfect for that class reunion a few months down the road, you’ll want to consider braces right now. No matter what your dental problem, there is likely a remedy. Orthodontics have come a long way in the last ten years, and braces and aligning traces have made getting a great smile easier and more affordable for most...
read more6 FAQS About Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is a fairly common dental issue, yet many patients are not even sure if they are experiencing it. If you think you might be experiencing tooth sensitivity, it is wise to speak with your dentist about your specific symptoms, causes and treatments. In the meantime, these frequently asked questions will help you get acquainted with the problem and maybe find a short-term solution. What triggers tooth sensitivity? It is normal for ordinary activities, like flossing and brushing your teeth, to trigger sensitivity. Eating and drinking are also common triggers that lead to sharp pains that might go away rather quickly. What causes teeth to become sensitive in the first place? Tooth sensitivity is typically caused by worn tooth enamel that has caused roots to become exposed. Of course, there are other causes that include cavities and chipped teeth. You may also experience sensitivity after bleaching and new dental work, like fillings. What can I do at home to treat sensitive teeth? Dentists may recommend that you choose a toothpaste made to desensitize the teeth. Fluoride, available by prescription, might also strengthen enamel and lead to less pain. What can a dentist do to relieve tooth sensitivity? If your dentist is concerned that tooth sensitivity is causing significant pain, they may choose to perform a surgical gum graft or root canal. These are procedures designed to eliminate the pain and to protect any exposed roots. Should I change my brushing routine to treat sensitivity? Some dentists do recommend that patients with sensitive teeth switch to soft-bristled brushes. Avoid brushing vigorously, especially in a direction that pushes the gums upward. Additionally, fluoride toothpaste is a great choice because it naturally helps to strengthen enamel and is not abrasive. It’s also a good idea to avoid brushing your teeth more than three times each day. What should I avoid doing if my teeth are sensitive? If you have sensitive teeth, it is wise to limit the number of acidic items you take in. Kick carbonated drinks (like soda) and citrus fruits to the curb. Wine and yogurt can also remove tooth enamel. If you find that it is simply too hard to eliminate these items from your diet, try sipping them through a straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth. No matter how you choose to take care of your teeth at home, visiting with a dentist is an absolute must. Worn enamel can lead to other issues later on if left untreated. Contact a professional dentist practice, like Couchman Center for Complete Dentistry, for more...
read moreSaving On Dental Care When You Don’t Have Insurance
If you’re without dental insurance, then the thought of shelling out cash for your twice-annual dental cleanings might leave you cringing–especially if your dentist ends up finding cavities or another dental problem that requires an expensive procedure to resolve. Fortunately, even if you don’t have dental insurance, there are some steps you can take to possibly save money on the dental care you need to stay healthy. Invest in a Discount Dental Plan First of all, if you haven’t done so already, you may want to consider the option of purchasing a discount dental plan. These are essentially annual memberships that give you access to pretty hefty discounts on everything from routine dental cleanings to procedures such as fillings, root canals, and more. Before purchasing a discount dental plan, you may want to check with your current dentist and make sure that the plan is accepted at his or her office. If so, then the small cost of a discount dental plan membership can easily pay itself off (and then some) in savings throughout the year. Take Advantage of Specials At various times throughout the year, dentist’s offices tend to offer promotions and specials for both new and existing patients. Do your research and take full advantage of any that may apply to you. One common special that many dentist’s offices will run is that of offering a heavy discount on a routine exam, which will include your cleaning, X-rays, and a visit with the dentist at one low price. If you haven’t been to the dentist in awhile, this can be a great way to get the oral care you need at a low price. Get a Second Opinion Finally, if you’re ever told by a dentist that you need some extensive and costly procedure done, it’s always a good idea to consult with another dentist for a second opinion before you go through with it. You never know; another dentist may recommend a less expensive procedure or option that wasn’t offered at the other dentist’s office. Getting a second opinion can be a great way to make sure you’re not spending your hard-earned money on something that’s not 100% necessary. There’s no denying that dental care can be quite expensive–especially if you don’t have insurance. On the bright side, by following these tips, you can get the dental care you need without it costing you an arm and a leg. For more information, contact a local dental clinic like Bishop Michael R DMD &...
read more4 Reasons Why Your Gums Are Bleeding
Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, you may have noticed that your gums will bleed when brushing your teeth. Even if there is only a little bit of blood, you need to be concerned since it can be a sign you have a problem that needs to be resolved. The following 4 reasons could be why you have bleeding gums. You Are Not Practicing Great Oral Hygiene One reason why gums can bleed is due to poor oral hygiene. Brushing regularly is simply not enough, as you should be brushing well to keep your gums healthy. A common mistake is brushing only the top surface of the teeth and not stimulating the gums. Your gum line is where bacteria can easily hide, which is why it’s a good idea to make sure part of your toothbrush is overlapping with your gums. It will get rid of plaque that is hiding underneath the surface your gums, which can be a cause for bleeding. You Have Gum Disease Once you have developed gum disease, the gums will be much more sensitive, easily bleed, and have inflammation. Gum disease isn’t painful in its early stages, which causes many people to ignore the warning signs. Unfortunately, it can eventually cause you to lose your teeth. Preventing gum disease requires you to be much more diligent with flossing to keep plaque out of your gums. Go beyond flossing only when brushing your teeth, and do it after meals as well. Rinsing your mouth out after eating also helps remove any food particles that may be stuck along your gums. You Are Experiencing Changes To Your Hormones Pregnancy is a common cause of bleeding gums in women due to the changes in hormones. Blood flow will increase to the gums, causing them to bleed more often. While your gums will return to normal after a pregnancy is over, you can help alleviate the problem by using a toothbrush with soft bristles. You Have A Bleeding Disorder If bleeding is occurring in places other than your gums, it can be due to bleeding disorder. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a disorder that makes it difficult for your body to create blood clots. It’s a treatable condition, and addressing the disorder can help reduce bleeding in your gums. Still have questions about bleeding gums? Contact a local dentist to get a consultation about what you can do about...
read moreWhat Dental Treatments Are Used To Relieve Headache?
The majority of people suffer from head or neck ache occasionally, often as a result of the stresses of life. However, most people don’t know that it may be their teeth that are causing these headaches. There are many forces placed on the teeth every day, often all day, such as eating, chewing, and speaking. A lot of the causes of neck and headache, and even migraines, are tooth-related. This article will focus on how some of these headaches relate to dentistry and what treatment options you can use to relieve them. How Does All This Relate to Dentistry? The teeth, nerves, muscles, and joints all work in tandem to ensure the jaw is aligned properly and functions as it should. When this system is out-of-tune or compromised in any way, occlusal issues, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ), other pain, and serious problems with the teeth can follow. When bite problems put pressure on the muscles, they can become irritable and painful. Levels of pain and discomfort vary from one individual to another, but in some cases it can be very debilitating. Hence, while the teeth need to be aligned properly, so too do the head and neck muscles that surround them. What Dental Treatments Are Used To Relieve Headache? Some adjustments to the teeth may be needed. The bite can be balanced by altering the size, position, and direction of the teeth. It may be necessary to replace missing teeth. This can be achieved with crowns, implants, or removable dentures to restore correct balance. The bite may need opening. Headaches and TMJ misalignment may result where vertical height is lost from the teeth. Crowns will restore tooth height and relieve the other symptoms. Mouth guards made of different materials may be provided. These can help with issues such as grinding and clenching, TMJ problems, and more. There are certain medications you can take. Although drugs can relieve discomfort in the short-term, you need to find out what is causing your headaches and address that problem. Alternative medicines or therapy are another option. This group can include chiropractics, acupuncture, meditation, exercise, and dietary changes. TMJ pain can be relieved by reducing pressure on the joint. Others find that softer foods help in the short-term. It is also possible to relieve pain by applying heat and doing some corrective exercises. Conclusion People often overlook the fact that dental problems may be responsible for headaches. However, it is a mistake to dismiss the idea that the teeth have a bearing on other parts of the body. If you have a dental problem that is identified and treated in a timely manner, it should prevent other problems from arising. Problems like damaged teeth, TMJ disorders, bone loss, and receding gums need to be treated, by doctors such as those at HC Dentistry, early if headaches and other pain is to be avoided. If they are not, smaller issues can become much bigger and much more difficult to treat...
read moreAbout Me
Reatha Seifert worked for 20 years as a receptionist in a dental office. She saw people come in with all kinds of problems, and sometimes she even noticed the crux of the problem while they were sitting in the waiting room. Mostly, she noticed problems with constant sugar intake, whether it came from candy, gum, or soda pop. Soda was the biggest offender, and she knows that a lot of people now have addictions to the drink. She wants to educate people on just how bad soda and other similar drinks are for your teeth.