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When do you need dental crowns?

When do you need dental crowns?

If you want to achieve the smile you always dreamt about, then it is time to get crowns to cover your teeth and to help in restoring them to normal size and shape. A dental crown in Grand Rapids is capable of making your tooth stronger and to improve its overall appearance. A crown is used for strengthening a tooth after a large filling in the part of the tooth that remained is not strong enough to hold this filling. Also, it is used as an attachment on the bridges; for protecting weak tooth so that it can restore itself or so that it does not break further. Finally, it is used when it comes to covering teeth which has been discolored or which are not in a good shape.

When you go to a Grand Rapids dentist and there is a need to have your tooth filled to achieve the shape you want, the doctor will take an impression of the tooth that requires treatment and the one that surrounds it to send it to a lab where a permanent crown is designed according to these impressions. When the crown has been made, you need to visit the dentist again. The temporary crown that was put in place will be removed and the dentist will position and fasten the new crown on your tooth with the help of a special adhesive.

Dental crown procedure

Once the dental crown procedure is completed, it can take some time before you are used to the new tooth. As time passes, the crown feels, functions, and looks just like any other normal tooth. You can always ask your dentist about any concerns you may be having about the procedure.

There are different types of crowns that may be used. These include stainless steel, resin, porcelain and ceramic. Cosmetic crowns may be made in ceramic or porcelain. However, each option has its own benefits and disadvantages, your dentist should talk to you about each option before you make a decision. You will have to visit your dentist at least two times to have your crowns installed.

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Everyone loves to have a healthy smile, Learn more how to get a brighter and healthier smile this christmas. Tips for a healthy smile.

* Follow routine: Include good oral habits to improve dental or overall health like brushing techniques, use natural or herbal toothpaste for better results, etc.

* Improve your diet: Include calcium based food in your regular diet like cheese, if you want to improve dental health fast.

* Drink plenty water: Drink water 4-5 liter per day. It helps in removing sugar and sticky foods sitting inside your mouth.

* Don't use your teeth as a bottle opener: Don't do this because it may become a reason of your broken or chipped teeth.

* Use sugar free gums: Chewing sugar free gums also helps to increases saliva production in your mouth which protects your teeth from harmful bacteria.

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After 33 years in private practice in periodontics, dental implants, and bone regeneration, I am constantly looking for ways to tweak the treatment protocols to achieve faster treatment turnaround times while maintaining ideal functional and esthetic outcomes for our patients; all with a success rate that approaches 98%. My partner and I have many implant systems in our office to accommodate the needs and desires of our restorative colleagues. Most recently though, we have been attracted to implants with 3 specific design features that help us to realize our treatment goals.

1. Tapered implant body (roughened surface to the top) with an aggressive thread design. This allows for maximum initial stability which is especially important in our Teeth in a Day and All on 4 immediate implant placement and restoration cases.

2. "Platform switch" design for connection of the permanent abutment to the implant. This has been proven to help preserve crestal bone which, in turn, helps to maintain the overlying soft tissue levels thereby enhancing the esthetic outcome.

3. Internal conical connection of the permanent abutment to the implant. This connection has also been proven to eliminate or significantly reduce micromovement of the abutment. Abutment micromovement due to poor fit or inherent engineering design can contribute to bacterial invasion. The inflammatory infiltrate which ensues may contribute to bone loss and soft tissue alteration.

Three examples of implant fixtures which incorporate these design features are listed below:

Nobel Biocare NobelReplace CC 


Astra Tech OsseoSpeed TX

Straumann Bone Level Tapered 



We all have great outcomes in the past with traditional implant design. However, we work so hard to re-build bone and soft tissue so that our patients have beautiful results which mimic natural teeth. Doesn't it make sense to try to preserve these structures? What do you think?


Photo Credits: NobelBiocare, Dentsply, Straumann

For more information, contact:
Cary Feuerman, DMD
Periodontal Associates

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Antibiotics and pregnancy conception

Few Days Back one of my patient came to clinic with a complaint of severe pain in the left posterior region of lower arch .On examination it was found to be due to an infected impacted 3rd molar.
As usual ,antibiotics was prescribed .But patient seemed to be reluctant .She came to me and asked a question "Doc,I am planning to have a baby and we are trying for that.Does antibiotics affect conception ?"

Ans : Antibiotics have no fertility-inducing properties. 
An antibiotic, however, can interfere with the effectiveness of the daily birth control pill that a woman may be taking to prevent pregnancy. This is because the antibiotic may interfere with the way the birth control pill is absorbed. The degree to which this happens varies depending on the kind of antibiotic, the daily dose, and how long it's taken. Recent studies show that the risk of conceiving on antibiotics is actually rather small.
A woman who takes antibiotics continuously, however, should always use a barrier method of birth control

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Paedodontics : Teeth Eruption Chart & FAQs

Do you have a child in your home ? Then the following chart may give you an idea about the teeth and their eruption status .

Few terminologies i would like to introduce

1.Natal Teeth and Neonatal Teeth - According
to the definition presented by Massler and Savara
(1950),taking only the time of eruption as reference, natal
teeth are those observable in the oral cavity at birth and neonatal
teeth are those that erupt during the first 30 days of life.

2. Deciduous teeth - now more commonly known as primary teeth. They are also known as baby teeth, temporary teeth and Milk teeth

3.Permanent teeth - Permanent teeth or adult teeth are the second set of teeth formed in diphyodont mammals.

Ok Now we will come to the topic and will try to answer few FAQs asked by patients in daily routine .

1. How many milk teeth does human have ?

Ans : 20.

The primary dentition is made up of Central incisors,Lateral incisors, Canines, First molars, and Secondary molars.

2. What is the importance of milk teeth ? does it have any significance ?

Ans : Primary teeth are essential in the development of the oral cavity.
a.Important for Speech production and development
b.Eating and nutrition 
c,Self-confidence
d.Straighter smiles 
e.Excellent oral health

3. How many Permanent teeth does human have ?

Ans : 32
They are six maxillary and six mandibular molars, four maxillary and four mandibular premolars, two maxillary and two mandibular canines, four maxillary and four mandibular incisors.

4.What is mixed dentition period and its importance ?

Ans : Mixed dentition stage starts when the first permanent molar appears in the mouth, usually at five or six years, and lasts until the last primary tooth is lost, usually at ten, eleven, or twelve years.

5.UGLY DUCKLING STAGE ?

Ans :UGLY DUCKLING STAGE (Broadbent phenomenon) is a transient/self-correcting malocclusion seen in the maxillary incisor region between 8-9 yrs of age. Erupting permanent canines displace the roots of lateral incisors mesially, resulting in transmission of force on to the roots of central incisors which also get displaced mesially.

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Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS).

When i first heard about this syndrome ,My first expression was ok a cooked up one for sure .Interestingly when i searched about this syndrome ,i came upon literally thousands of weirdest diseases and syndromes that could happen to the human entity.
Funny thing ?Lot many syndromes doesnt have a known etiology as well .

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In 1944, Don Gardner wrote the famous song with lyrics that included "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth". Little did he know that over 72 years later, we can make this wish become a reality in one day. It is interesting to see how many of our patients are trying to restore their smiles and function before the holidays. With the current implant design features which include roughened surfaces, tapered implant bodies, and aggressive thread patterns, we have been able to place implant fixtures into extraction sockets and then attach temporary abutments and crowns with great predictability and success. Fully edentulous arches can be restored on just four implant fixtures. These procedures are incredibly gratifying for both the patients and the practitioners. Although we have been placing implants in our practice for over 30 years, the excitement continues as the technology evolves! Happy Holidays!

CARY FEUERMAN, DMD

PERIODONTAL ASSOCIATES


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Dry Socket (Alveolar Osteitis)


Dry socket, also known by the medical term alveolar osteitis, is an inflammation of the alveolar bone. It usually does not occur by itself. Most of the time, it is a complication of various dental procedures. It can be very painful and is generally uncomfortable. 

To understand the root cause of dry sockets, it is best to use an example. The procedure of dental extraction is by far the most common cause of dry sockets. When a tooth is extracted, the area where the root used to be is usually filled with a blood clot which forms on its own to protect the exposed area. The clot seals the area and bacteria and viruses cannot enter the inner structure of the mouth or jaw.

However, the clot can often get dislodged, removed or broken down. Sometimes, the clot may even fail to form altogether. The protection provided by the clot is then lost and the bone is left exposed to all the fluids, food, bacteria and air that enters the mouth. This is far from ideal, and various symptoms develop as a result.

It is common to experience a certain amount of pain after a dental extraction, but it you feel the pain has not subsided a few days after the extraction, and even the analgesics are nor helping, then something may have happened and a visit to the dentist is in order. While throbbing pain is the most common symptom, you can often see an empty socket yourself, which is sensitive and extremely painful to touch. Bad breath is also common, and usually goes in tandem with a strange taste in the mouth. There should be no fever or swelling – the tell-tale signs of bacterial infection -  as dry socket usually does not get infected.

Luckily, dry socket is not a common condition after a dental extraction. The total prevalence depends on the tooth being extracted, but it ranges from 1 to 5 per cent. Some teeth are riskier than others – as much as 30 per cent of impacted wisdom teeth result in this complication, likely because the procedure is more invasive and there is a higher risk of trauma. Lower teeth also develop dry socket more often than upper teeth. Still, even if you do develop a dry socket, there are usually no long-term consequences once the area heals properly. 

There are some risk factors that may affect your susceptibility to this complication. One of them is, of course, smoking. Nicotine reduces the blood supply to the extraction site, and thus, the clot might not form at all. Bad oral hygiene is also a factor. Bacterial infections in the mouth also increase the prevalence of dry socket. Interestingly, women on birth control pills also experience a higher rate of dry sockets, due to hormonal changes that occur. Females are advised to undergo extraction procedures when they are on their period, as the risk of dry socket is the lowest during that time. Older people are also a higher-risk group, as there is less blood flow available in this area due to the bones increasing in density.

There is evidence to suggest that rinsing with chlorhexidine prior to the procedure reduces the frequency. Some dentists routinely give out antibiotics before extractions of wisdom teeth to reduce the risk of infection. After the procedure, try not to drink through a straw and rinse your mouth gently, as this may cause the blood clot to fall off due to large forces – think of it as a scab of sorts. Avoid smoking for at least a couple days, as this markedly shortens the healing time.

If you do develop a dry socket, there are a few remedies you can try. Aside from taking painkillers if necessary, you can try rinsing your mouth with a local anesthetic. Saline solutions can also ease comfort. It is important to remove food debris from the socket in order to reduce inflammation and the risk of infection. In a vast majority of cases, pain subsides after a week or two, but in some, it may last for up to a month. Visit your dentist regularly, as they will apply a special analgesic paste on the exposed area. This will relieve your symptoms and speed up healing.

While dry socket is by far the most comfortable thing in the world, it is good to keep in mind that a tooth that has been extracted would likely lead to more long-term pain and, possibly, infection in the future. That is why the benefits of extraction almost always outweigh the potential risks of dry socket and infections.


GeorgeHarouniDDS

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Effects of Poor Dental Hygiene

To be able to enjoy anything lifelong, it is imperative that we take good care of it. As much as this holds true for our cars, home appliances, and laptops, it also holds good for our teeth. It goes without saying that one needs to brush, floss, keep away from cavity causing food, and pay a visit to the orthodontist (as per their recommendation) to keep their teeth healthy. While most of us know the importance of maintaining oral hygiene, we may not know why it is so crucial to be meticulous and regular about it.

Repercussions of poor dental hygiene go far beyond cavities, teeth stains, and plaque. Well this is not to say that these are any less serious but what if we tell you that the way you look after your oral health can impact your heart? Surprising, isn’t it? We are going to talk about more such unheard and slightly shocking things about your teeth and its connection with your overall health.

Potential Cause of a Heart Attack:

Your mouth is like a portal to germs and bacteria to your body. Apart from wreaking havoc on your teeth, these nasties can reach your heart and pose a grave threat to it. Just as the bacteria can lead to the formation of plaque on your gum line, it can also cause plaque to develop on the inner walls of arteries, which can hinder the flow of blood throughout the body. This would result in increased chances of heart attack as well as can cause arterial inflammation, which does not bode well for your heart at all.

Periodontal Diseases:

Gingivitis and periodontitis are the most common type of periodontal or gum diseases that ensue from poor dental hygiene.These result from bacterial accumulation or in other words plaque. Not only do periodontal diseases lead to tender and swollen gums (which in extreme cases also bleed) but also debilitate the bone foundation supporting our teeth.

Diabetes:

Those suffering from Diabetes would possibly know how poor dental hygiene can exacerbate their symptoms. Insulin, the hormone responsible for converting sugar into energy is the root cause of Diabetes. The problem starts with the sufferer’s inability to process insulin resulting in high blood sugar, which can cause severe long term health problems including renal and heart diseases.

Respiratory Track Infections:

The ability to breathe freely and fully is natural and healthy. However, periodontal diseases destroy this ability and cause respiratory infections which can further lead to the development of Pneumonia. Bacteria from gum infections reach bloodstream and attack the respiratory track thereby paving the way for lung infections.

Poor oral hygiene is also associated with pregnancy complications, dementia, frail bones, immunity system disorders, dental erosion,osteoporosis, etc. Maintenance of good oral health is important is not only imperative for enjoying healthy teeth but overall health. It is therefore necessary that we take good care of our mouth to keep our bodies free from a host of ailments.

If you are suffering from a periodontal disease and have been tarrying to see the orthodontist, think again. Do not deprive yourself of timely periodontal treatment.

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Easy Tips for Taking Care of Toddler Teeth

In present scenario, it's very important to take care of child tooth. Follow these steps to prevent dental diseases and keep his oral life healthy.

1. Try to go for regular dental checkup:

According to American Academy of Pediatrics dentistry, your child should see a dentist by his first birthday. Early preventive care is good for oral and overall health of your child.

2. Teach good brushing habits:

Everybody known, brushing is the most important thing to improve oral health. Start brushing (choose a soft baby tooth brush) two times, first in the morning and second right before bedtime. Also, you may ask your nearest dentist about brushing techniques.

3. Avoid sweet beverages and food:

Try to avoid sweet food and liquids like juice, peanut butter and jelly to prevent cavities. Limit the consumption of fruit juice, it should be less than 4 ounces a day.

4. Add Toothpaste:

Add small tiny amount of toothpaste and avoid giving too much fluoride to baby. This should be used until the age of 3 years.

5. Encourage self brushing:

Spent time with your child during brushing time and motivate your child in a fun mode to encourage self brushing habits.

Note: Before start, make an appointment with your nearest dentist.

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Swollen gums can have several causes like nutritional deficiencies, oral infections, pregnancy or hormonal fluctuations. If not treated on time, swollen gum tissues can cause inflammation, lead to loss of teeth and invite serious gum conditions like Gingivitis and Periodontitis. If your gum swelling is getting severe and painful with every passing day, using salt will alleviate your pain and provide instant relief. Follow these tried-and-tested home remedies and get rid of swollen gum tissues:

  • Salt Water

Rinsing your mouth with lukewarm salt water is one of the oldest and the most effective swollen gum treatments. Salt being a natural disinfectant eliminates all the bad bacteria and harmful microbes that are causing pain and inflammation.

Take a glass of lukewarm water and pour 1 teaspoon of table salt into it. Stir it well and pour some of it into your mouth and swish it all around for a few seconds. Repeat the same process till you finish the remaining water in your glass. Do this at least twice a day to get rid of swollen gums. 

  • Mustard Oil and Salt

The glucosinolate found in mustard oil has excellent anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. Mustard oil also has strong stimulant properties which improve blood circulation when massaged on the affected area.   

Take 1 teaspoon of mustard oil and add a pinch of salt to it and mix it well. Massage the paste gently on the swollen gum tissues for 4 to 5 minutes. Spit the mixture after the massage and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy 2-3 times a day for faster results. 

  • Ginger and Salt

Ginger is high in antioxidants which are known to inhibit the production of inflammatory agents. All you need to do is make some ginger paste and add a pinch of salt to it. Then gently rub this paste on your swollen gums to get relief. Repeat this thrice a day to reduce the pain and swelling in your gums.

Other Home Remedies to Treat Swollen Gum Tissues 

  • Hot and Cold Compresses

Hot and cold compresses are very helpful in healing swollen gums. If your gums are not paining, it is recommended to use cold compresses but if your condition is painful, you should use warm compresses. If your gums are both swollen and painful, you can also use warm and cold compresses alternatively. Cold compresses will work to reduce the swelling while hot compresses will heal the pain effectively. Place the compress against the face pointing the affected area and hold it for a few minutes. Do this till the pain subsides.

  • Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is an age-old Ayurvedic remedy that heals bleeding gums and strengthens them. It involves swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth every morning. This is to be done on an empty stomach for at least 20 minutes. Be sure to spit the oil and rinse your mouth before you brush your teeth. Oil pulling is an effective detoxification process that removes bacteria, prevents plaque and promotes healthy gums by creating a sterile environment. Do this daily to get rid of swollen gums naturally. 

  • Baking Soda

Being alkaline in nature, baking soda creates a hostile environment which makes the survival of bacteria difficult and creates an antiseptic environment inside the mouth. It effectively neutralizes all the acidic toxins and wastes that are produced by harmful microbes and promotes oral health. Make a consistent paste by adding water to baking soda and gently rub the paste along your gumline. You can also brush your teeth using this paste for brightening your teeth.

  • Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera is highly effective in treating gum diseases and getting rid of swollen, painful gums. Rich in antioxidants, aloe vera gel has antibacterial properties that fight oral diseases and reduce the bleeding from swollen gums. Rub it gently all over the gum line twice a day to treat swollen gums. Aloe vera gel can also be used as toothpaste and as a mouthwash when mixed with water

Do’s and Don’ts to Ease Discomfort and Find Relief from Swollen Gums

Do:

  • Brush twice a day and floss regularly
  • Add fruits and vegetables to your daily diet 
  • If the gum swelling persists even after following these home remedies, see your dentist immediately

Don’t:

  • Don’t drink caffeinated beverages if you are suffering from swollen gums
  • Don’t drink alcohol or smoke as this may further aggravate your condition
  • Don’t  use a mouthwash that contains alcohol

Don’t ignore your swollen gums till they become painful beyond tolerance. Take action at home or consult a dentist to identify the underlying cause of your swollen gums. 

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Good oral hygiene plays the most important role in improving your overall health. It also helps in making your smile more attractive. Basically, it is the practice of keeping the mouth (Teeth, Gum, Tongue) clean to prevent dental problems like cavities, gum diseases and bad breath. These types of dental problems may create a critical situation for you if you ignore it. So, maintain your oral health to prevent dental related problems.

Some tips to improve oral hygiene:

  • Improve brushing habits.
  • Avoid Tobacco.
  • Avoid sweet beverages and sodas.
  • Add calcium and other vitamins in your diet.
  • Visit dentist on regular basis to prevent the future dental problems.

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For several years now, there has been an ongoing debate over the health risks associated with electronic cigarette use. And while there has been some research indicating that these products could be as much as 95% safer than combustible tobacco products like cigarettes, skeptics have continued to believe that they pose a serious threat to human health. Now, new research suggests that those skeptics may be at least partially correct – at least when it comes to dental health.

The Study’s Results

The new research involved a study that examined the types of chemicals found in the vapor produced by electronic cigarette devices. For those unfamiliar with the technology, e-cigs (as many users refer to them) are devices that heat a liquid solution – known in the industry as “e-juice” – to a temperature high enough to vaporize it. The user inhales the resulting vapor. That vapor is usually flavored and may or may not contain nicotine.

In studying that vapor, researchers found that many of the chemicals it contains are potentially as dangerous to the cells in the mouth as anything found in combustible tobacco smoke. In their study, these researchers exposed test subjects to the vapor by introducing it to the gum tissue of participants with no smoking habit. They used both tobacco-flavored and mentholated e-juice in their experiments.

The tests showed that the gum tissue responded in much the same way that it does when exposed to cigarette smoke. The cells that make up that gum tissue react by releasing proteins that cause inflammation. And where there is inflammation within the body, there is cellular stress and the potential for damage to tissue.

Are the Dangers Real?

Scientists say that this type of response can put vapers at risk for many of the same oral health complications that smokers experience. If so, the study would be confirmation of other research that exposed mouth cells to e-cig vapor – an experiment that resulted in a 53% mortality rate for those cells. Granted, that experiment involved cells that had been removed from participants’ mouths and exposed directly to the vapor over several days, but the results share some similarities.

The problem for vapers lies in the long-term impact that could be occurring. This type of damage to the cellular structure of gum tissue can weaken dental integrity and place the patient at higher risk for inflammation, infection, and various levels of periodontal diseases. Some of the researchers noted that it may even increase the risk of oral cancer.

Not Conclusive, but Cautionary

It is worth noting that nothing in these studies contradicts other research demonstrating that vaping is healthier than smoking. It does, however, sound an alarm about the risk to dental health – a risk that dental patients everywhere should take to heart. And while there are some in the medical and dental profession who have cheered patients’ use of electronic cigarettes to escape the tobacco habit, that response is not an endorsement of the vaping habit. If you’re a former smoker who’s turned to vaping to help you quit, the best way to preserve your teeth and gums is to continue that journey toward a nicotine-free lifestyle by setting aside the e-cig too.

At Ebenezer Dental, we recognize that the best decision is to not smoke at all. There are always risks associated with nicotine usage, since even smaller amounts of nicotine can pose a potential threat to the health of our patients’ teeth and gums. At the same time, the current research does seem to indicate that electronic cigarettes may offer a reduced health risk, which may make them valuable tools for those who are earnestly attempting to stop smoking. If you’d like to learn more about oral health from the best cosmetic dentist in New York City, give us a call today.

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7 Major Causes of Tooth Decay

If you have ever wondered what makes perfect, beautiful teeth rot away, the answer is tooth decay. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand what causes decay, which can cause them to make poor oral health choices that can damage their smiles.

Tooth decay starts whenever you sit down to eat or grab a fast snack on the go. As you chew, microscopic food particles accumulate on and around your teeth, forming a sticky substance called plaque. If plaque isn’t whisked away by brushing, flossing, and rinsing the teeth, it can harden into tartar, which is also called dental calculus. Tartar is exceptionally hard, and very difficult to remove with your at-home toothbrush. Instead, your Long Island periodontist will have to scrape it away from your teeth during your regular dental exam.

In addition to making your teeth look cakey and unkept, plaque and tartar buildup also harbor bacteria, which produce acids as they grow and multiply. Humans have around 25 different strains of oral bacteria in their mouths, which work to destroy different areas. The acids that these bacteria produce dissolve dental enamel, creating cavities and compromising the structural stability of the tooth. If plaque and tartar build along the gumline, they can spark inflammation in the gum tissue, which eventually creates gingival pockets and leads to periodontal disease.

Although you may feel powerless against the aggressive nature of oral bacteria, there is a lot you can do to keep your teeth safe. Here are some factors that contribute to tooth decay, and what you can do to prevent it.

Personal Habits

Oral Hygiene

Neglecting your teeth is the most obvious way to wind up with cavities. To prevent decay, focus on proper oral hygiene throughout your day. In addition to brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing daily, talk with your periodontist about using fluoride supplements or antibacterial mouthwashes. If you have early stage gingivitis, a few extra steps could help you to prevent problems from getting worse. Report problems, such as toothaches, discolorations, chipped teeth, or gum inflammation to your dentist right away to have issues addressed immediately.

Smoking

Most people realize that smoking is bad for their stamina and lungs, but few smokers understand just how damaging a few cigarettes a day can be to their teeth. Cigars and cigarettes contain lots of harmful chemicals, including tar. These ingredients collect on the teeth, creating a black, sticky film that makes them look yellowed and stained. The stark temperature changes that occur during smoking can also impact blood flow to the mouth, impeding healing. For this reason, smokers are much more likely to suffer from periodontal disease.

Alcohol

Alcohol can do more than impair your judgment and make it hard to remember to brush. Alcohol can dry out your mouth, decreasing levels of saliva that help to neutralize bacterial acids. Research has shown that alcoholics have more plaque on their teeth and are three times more likely to suffer from tooth loss than people who don’t indulge as frequently.

Diet

If you really want to keep your teeth clean and healthy, focus on eating well. Crunchy vegetables, such as celery, broccoli, and carrots, help to scrub grime away from your teeth as you chew. On the other hand, starchy, sugary foods, such as doughnuts, crackers, and other snack foods contain simple sugars that contribute to tooth decay.

Exercise

Keeping your body healthy through daily exercise is also beneficial to your smile. When you get your blood flowing, the body can cope with infections more effectively and remove built-up toxins expelled by oral bacteria.

Simple Genetics

Your genetics also play a role in your ability to fend off oral bacteria. Because physical characteristics, such as the alignment of your teeth, are inherited, you might have a harder time battling tooth decay than your friend or neighbor. Since crooked teeth are harder to brush and floss effectively, orthodontic care can help to correct these issues. Also, since people can inherit medical conditions such as osteoporosis or the tendency to grind their teeth, it is important to talk with your family about their dental health and be on the lookout for your own issues.

Medications

Certain medications can also put you at a higher risk for dental decay, since they can impact the way that your body metabolizes sugar or the amount of saliva you produce. For example, heart disease medications and antihistamines can reduce saliva levels, and tetracycline antibiotics can stain your teeth. If you are on medication to improve a chronic medical condition, talk with your doctor or periodontist as soon as possible to learn how it could affect your teeth.

The American Academy of Periodontology recommends visiting a periodontist yearly for a comprehensive periodontal exam, or CPE. During periodontal exams, your doctor will evaluate the health of your teeth, gums, and jaw tissue. If you have already lost teeth due to dental decay, your doctor will talk with you about dental implants in Long Island and recommend you to an implant dentist in Long Island.

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Effects Of Living With Untreated Gum Disease

Our risks of developing gum disease increases with age. It is not an unavoidable component of aging. Gum disease is a severe issue that can lead to tooth and bone loss, and it also may results in systemic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

It is essential for patients to periodically monitor their gums for signs of concern, such as swelling, pockets, bleeding, bad breath, etc. and seek treatment after noticing any symptoms.

Gum disease does not show up in the initial stages. On the other hand, the longer you put off your gum disease treatment, the more likely you will end up requiring a more extensive treatment like Gum surgery.

Nearly 4 out of every 5 patients suffer from some type of periodontal disease in their lifetime. When advanced stage of this disease goes untreated, the condition eventually turns out to be irreversible.

It is a chronic and systemic infection in which the gums start to regress away from the teeth and the infection spreads all through the mouth. As bacteria and tartar begin to attack the roots of teeth, teeth start loosening up their natural support from gum tissue. The buildup of tartar along the roots of tooth is caused by untreated gum disease. It is actually the chief cause of tooth loss in adulthood.

The infection destructively attacks soft tissues and teeth, which ultimately reaches to bone. Patients with chronic periodontitis may require Gum Surgery in San Diego because their bone start getting degenerated, a condition which may also leads to tooth loss.

Many research studies have associated a connection between periodontitis and other health conditions affecting the cardiovascular and immune system. The explanation behind it is that once the infection spreads, it can go into the bloodstream, where the bacteria-ridden compounds can get attached to plaque in the arteries. For patients suffering with immune system suppression, periodontal disease can become difficult to manage.

In San Diego, dentists strongly recommend to seek treatment as the signs of gum disease appear. Some common symptoms related to periodontal disease are:

  • Bleeding of gums with slight aggravation (brushing and flossing)
  • Red and purple gum tissue
  • Pain and discomfort while touching gums
  • Pus and sores along the gum line
  • Recession of the gums

After analyzing your oral health and the stage of your gum disease, your dentist will develop a treatment plan according to your needs. Periodontal disease treatment often includes deep cleanings to eliminate tartar above and below the gum line, some sort of surgery, and medications to kill bacteria.

So, how can you defend against a disease that doesn’t always show up with obvious warning signs? To know more about your treatment options or schedule an appointment for Gum Surgery in San Diego, seek advice from experienced periodontal team.

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How to Overcome Bad Breath Problem?

Dental problems are becoming common among people of all age groups. Even a small problem relating to your teeth can cause lot of trouble and could lead to serious long-term health issues, if you do not take care of your teeth now.

One of the most common symptoms that all of us are well aware of is bad breath. You might have talked with someone that has bad breath.

Is that a fun experience?

On the other side of that, having bad breath is very embarrassing and can make you highly uncomfortable. Bad breath is the first warning that you get when there is a problem with your teeth.

Test for Checking Bad Breath

Are you really concerned about your teeth and want to take care of it?

Well,here is a simple test. You can test yourself and find out if you have a bad breath problem. To take the test, wash your hands clean. Put your finger in your mouth deep inside till it touches the back of your tongue.

Next, rub your finger over your tongue and scrap some saliva. Dab your finger on your palm and rub the saliva from your finger. Wait for half a minute and bring your palm close to your nose and hold it. You will smell any bad breath if you really have.

How Bad Breath Starts

If you are suffering from bad breath, you need to find cure for it. But first you have to know how bad breath starts.

There are a few things that can cause bad breath. There is bacteria in your mouth which keeps covering the mouth from inside.

The bacteria hang over your tongue, gums and reside between your teeth. Bacteriawill multiply over time and start producing toxins and chemicals which causes the bad odor smell in your mouth.

What causes bad breath?

  • Bad habits: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipe or chewing tobacco leads to severe harm to your teeth and mouth. 
  • Tonsils: Most people have their tonsils removed, but if you have your tonsils, they can also lead to bad breath.
  • Stomach problems: stomach problems such as ulcer, viruses and having an upset stomach can cause bad breath.

Tips for OvercomingBad Breath:

  • To avoid bad breath, the obvious is taking care of your teeth and health.
  • Brush your teeth after every meal. Use of tongue scraper to keep your tongue clean.
  • Gargle with mouth wash to reduce bad breath.
  • Drink sufficient wateras it reduces bacteria.
  • Digest your food well.
  • Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.

If you need some help with a bad breath problem, visit Friendly Dental Group of South Park, one of the best south park dental practices in South Charlotte North Carolina.

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Different Kinds of Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Your dentist might have recommended you to have your wisdom tooth removed, you must be looking at the options to follow the advice, but do you know the different procedures involved in extracting a wisdom tooth. The types of procedure will depend upon how your teeth are growing in. If you are considering a surgery, it is good for you to gain insight into its types.

Wisdom teeth start growing in at a very young age, but many parents make delays in taking their child to a dentist and getting them removed. It may be because they want to see if this set of teeth comes in naturally without causing any difficulties. Normally, they need to be extracted during teenage years or early adulthood.

There are numerous reasons to get these specific teeth removed. Normally, there is not adequate room for them in the mouth, which results in pushing other teeth forward. Moreover, they can become impacted, meaning that they grow in slanted. This can be painful and may lead to infection. In most of the cases, the extraction becomes necessary for the health of rest of the mouth. Below given cases are describing few types of extraction procedures:

  • If wisdom teeth have grown in normally, but are forcing teeth forward, the surgeon may be able to pull them out like an ordinary tooth. This can best be done when the tooth has started growing in straight. In this state, the tooth can be extracted with anesthesia without any oral surgery.
  • Usually, wisdom teeth are impacted to some degree or grow in sideways. They sometimes start growing beneath the gum line without breaking through the surface. This creates discomfort and hinders with any orthodontic work. Oral surgery becomes the necessary option in this case.

In San Diego, Wisdom Teeth Extraction is performed on a regular basis. Many oral surgeries and complex procedures are dealt with on a regular basis. The frequency with which the wisdom teeth extractions are performed at Irresistible Smiles makes them experts at it. They can perform the teeth removal surgery with negligible discomfort and complete precision.

  • In some cases of wisdom teeth surgery, an incision in the gums is made in order to make a flap.  This flap is then lifted up to expose the wisdom tooth. After this, dentists try to twist and shake the tooth so that it can come out of the place. Sometimes it lifts out of its place easily, but when the ligaments hold it down firmly, the tooth may need to be broken down and extracted in sections. It is the most extreme type of wisdom tooth removal and demands an expert professional to conduct the procedure. Else, the swelling may increase and the recovery time may prolong.

If you are worried about how your child’s wisdom tooth is growing, call and schedule an appointment with an expert dentist. In San Diego, Wisdom Teeth Extraction is performed after examining your teeth and gums. Sometimes, X-Rays is also taken if required so as to determine how your tooth is positioned and what the best course of action could be. Consider going to an expert dentist in San Diego to improve your oral health with every visit.

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Myths and Facts about Teeth Whitening

Myth is that fresh lemon juice can whiten teeth. However, Lemon juice, fresh or not, will not whiten teeth because it is very acidic and will erode your teeth. Make sure to consult your doctor before using lemon for teeth whitening. Good oral hygiene and healthy diet can help to whiten teeth and prevent further yellowing. 

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