Brent Cornelius D.D.S.'s Posts (48)

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Fast Ways to a Beautiful Smile

Are you getting married in two or three months? Going to a high school or college reunion? Heading out into the job market after a few years away? Meeting up with the “one who got away” while you’re visiting your hometown?

 

We know you want to look your best at these life milestones and if you feel your smile could use some improvement, read below for several (relatively) fast ways to make sure you wow ‘em with a beautiful smile.

Looking to impress a former flame in a month or and want a gorgeous smile? Several cosmetic dental treatments are available to quickly fix your teeth.

  • Consider asking your dentist for information on professional teeth whitening strategies. You can look for some over-the-counter products at your grocer or pharmacy (many do work well). But if you want some real whitening oomph in the weeks just prior to your event, you may want to consider professional whitening treatments performed by your dentist/dental assistant in the dentist’s office. While you may need to visit the dentist more than once to reach the effect you desire, a professional teeth whitening treatment can see some significant improvement in the whiteness of your teeth after just one appointment.
  • For an exceptionally fast way to a perfect smile, consider bonding. This procedure is similar to veneers (more on veneers shortly), but it doesn’t last as long as porcelain veneers and it isn’t as stain resistant. But bonding is faster than having veneers placed on your teeth and is less expensive. Tooth bonding should last 5-6 years.
  • If you’re looking for a much more permanent – but still very quick – solution to fix chipped, broken and lackluster teeth, consider porcelain veneers. These are porcelain “covers” glued/bonded on the front of your teeth, rendering your smile just this side of drop dead gorgeous! They are very sturdy, can last perhaps two decades, resist staining and can be placed on your teeth in just two or three visits to your dentist’s office.
  • Ever heard of a gum lift? No? Well, this actually is a simple procedure for people who feel they are showing too much of their gums when they smile. The procedure is a quick fix that results in a smile that shows less of your gums when you smile and more of your teeth.
  • Finally, don’t forget a good teeth cleaning at your local dentist’s office. Your dentist can clean your teeth more thoroughly than you can at home, removing built up plaque. In addition, your dentist can give your teeth a bit of polish at the end, giving your teeth a little extra sparkle. You can schedule a professional cleaning a week or so before the big day, but having your teeth cleaned professionally twice at least twice a year can go a long way to keeping your smile bright and your teeth and gums healthy.

 

Image courtesy David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Most people consider losing at least one adult tooth during their lifetime as par for the course (it isn’t, actually, but that’s for another article).  You therefore may be wondering if any of your teeth about to “leave home.”

 

Most tooth loss is due to tooth decay, gum disease or dental avulsion (which is when a tooth falls out due to physical trauma, such as something hitting you in the mouth). We’re going to talk about the warning signs of tooth loss that occur as a result of the first two conditions, both of which are highly preventable.

Tooth loss in youngsters is cute and to be expected. Once you’re an adult, losing a tooth isn’t so cute.

In other words, it’s very easy to prevent tooth loss throughout your life so long as you practice proper oral hygiene habits, such as not eating much sugary or starchy foods, brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and visiting your dentist for a professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year.

 

Take a look below for some reasons for adult tooth loss as well as signs that you’re about to lose a tooth.

 

  • Tooth loss due to gum disease or tooth decay is entirely preventable! Not brushing and flossing allows plaque to build up on and between your teeth, allowing the bacteria to eat away at your tooth enamel, resulting in cavities. Poor oral hygiene also can cause your gums to eventually turn inflamed and infected. Both tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease can weaken the tissues that support your teeth, causing them to become loose and fall out.
  • Signs that you have tooth decay and/or gum disease could include:
    • Tender, red or swollen gums
    • A persistent bad taste in your mouth or persistent bad breath
    • Receding gums
    • Gums that consistently bleed during and after brushing your teeth.
    • Deep pockets start forming between your teeth and gums
    • When biting on food, you notice changes in the way your teeth fit together
    • If you wear partial dentures, you notice that the way they fit has changed.

 

  • Finally, the most noticeable sign that you could soon lose a tooth, is that you notice that the tooth “feels” shifty or loose.

Heavy smokers, as well as people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or rheumatoid arthritis are all at greater risk than for tooth loss than the general population as they age, so proper oral hygiene habits are even more important for these individuals.

 

If you’re worried about tooth loss for any reason, or if you notice one or more teeth feel “loose,” contact your dentist immediately.

 

"ToothLost-2917" by Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

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Keep Your Child Cavity-Free

Do you think that having at least one cavity as a child is normal?

 

You’re wrong: getting a cavity whether you’re young or old is preventable and is not something that happens to everyone.

 

Take a look below to learn how you can prevent your children from ever getting a cavity. (You also will learn how to prevent any more cavities from growing in your own mouth.)

 

Cavities really are the end result of tooth decay and tooth decay takes place over time. That is, you don’t not have tooth decay one moment, get tooth decay the next, blink and then have a cavity form. You actually can halt (and possibly even reverse) the tooth decay and cavity process!

 

First, a definition of what tooth decay actually is: it’s the end result of an infection caused by certain kinds of bacteria that use the sugars found in food to make acid. These acids, over time, work to make a cavity in a tooth.

 

Bacteria in our mouth forms what is called dental plaque. This is a clear, sticky film that we often feel on our teeth when we haven’t brushed in a while (it’s always forming, but we feel it more when we don’t brush to remove it). What’s more, the sugars and starches in the foods we eat and drink work with the bacteria in our teeth to make acids, which start to eat away our tooth enamel (the hard, outer surface of our teeth).

“Yum, candy!” say the bacteria and acids in her mouth. “Let’s start making a cavity!” 

Meanwhile, the calcium and phosphate found in our saliva works with the fluoride in our toothpaste and water to repair our tooth enamel by replacing the minerals eaten away from our teeth when the mouth acids go to work.

 

In a nutshell, our teeth lose and regain minerals throughout the day.

 

The more sugars and starches we ingest – and the less we brush our teeth – the more acid attacks our enamel, causing it to lose more minerals. As this goes on – more sugar, less brushing and fluoride – you might notice a white spot form on one or more teeth. This is a sign that minerals have been lost and not replaced and it’s an early sign of tooth decay.

Unless the enamel has a chance to repair itself using fluoride and minerals found in saliva, more minerals are lost and the weaker your enamel becomes, until it’s destroyed and a cavity forms.

 

A cavity is permanent damage, which your dentist repairs with a filling.

 

So how can you halt or reverse tooth decay?

 

Brush your teeth two or even three times a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride prevents the loss of minerals in your tooth enamel and even replaces those minerals that have been lost. It also lowers the ability of bacteria to form acid.

 

To keep your children from ever developing even a single cavity, remember that any time your children eat or drink anything with sugar or starch in it, bacteria will use it to produce acids, which will then start to attack the youngsters’ tooth enamel.

 

What’s more, the more frequently your children eat (between brushing sessions), the number of acid attacks they’ll see during the day, and the more the acid has a chance to win the war for your children’s tooth enamel.

 

So if your children eat frequently during the day, get them brushing three times a day, instead of the recommend two. And limit the amount of sugary and starchy foods they eat.

 

image courtesy of marin/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Most people have their teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist. These para professionals undergo two to four years of training (most earn a two-year associate’s degree) in order to clean your teeth, x-ray them, and check them out for bigger problems (this is when your dentist might come in to inspect your teeth further). Dental hygienists also assist dentists when your cavities need filling, and during other oral/dental medicine procedures.

Your hygienist therefore knows your mouth much better than you do.

 

In other words, it’s wise to make your cleaning experience as pleasing as possible – for your dental hygienist!

 

Read below for some tips on how to do so.

 

  • If you wear lipstick, remove it before sitting in the dental chair. Lipstick can get on your teeth, on the hygienist’s tools, even on expensive x-ray equipment. It can get in the way of a thorough cleaning. You can put it back on as soon as your cleaning is complete.
  • Brush your teeth before coming in. Floss, too, if possible. Also, if you can, rinse your mouth out with a mouthwash before sitting down. Ask the hygienist for some, if necessary. She may say you don’t need to – she’s seen a lot worse in other patients’ mouths – but, still: it’s the courteous thing to do.
  • You hate to wait for appointments and so do other patients. If you’re late, it creates a domino effect that will affect every patient behind you. Be on time to your appointment. If you know you’re going to be more than 10 or 15 minutes late, be polite and call the office to let them know.
  • Your hygienist may ask you questions as he readies you for your cleaning. You two also may chat during the procedure. But try to keep the talking to a minimum once work has begun – it makes the hygienist’s job much easier and you’ll be done more quickly. Don’t feel that you’re being rude if you’re being quiet. Your hygienist understands.
  • Many people say that their gums never bleed until they come in for a cleaning.  The hygienist did not make your gums bleed. Bleeding gums are an early sign of gingivitis or gum disease. If your gums bleed during the cleaning (but not at home when you brush), it’s still a sign that you’re not taking good care of your teeth and gums. To ensure your gums don’t bleed during a professional teeth cleaning, brush twice a day and floss at least once. And do so consistently.
  • Keeping your mouth open – and wide open – can get uncomfortable after a short while. It’s perfectly OK to close your mouth and indicate you need to take a break. If you’ve had to hold your mouth open for a long-ish time and you have cotton or a dental instrument in it that your hygienist has indicated needs to stay in there for a while, come up with a signal before he places cotton or instruments in your mouth so that the hygienist can give you an idea of how much longer or remove them, if absolutely necessary.

 

Dental hygienists want your visit with them to be as pleasant as possible. These health professionals want you to speak up if you’re ever uncomfortable or nervous. In fact, if you’re very stressed about dental visits, speak to your hygienist or dentist before sitting in the chair: they probably have some sedation therapies at their disposal to help calm you.

 

image courtesy of stockimagess/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Oral Hygiene Advice to Live By

When it comes to practicing good oral hygiene, it’s all about making certain activities a habit. Make them a habit and you and children can expect good oral health throughout your and their lives.

 

Read below for our favorite oral hygiene advice – for life!

 

  • Once your children reach the age of 6, their adult molars should have erupted. This is a great time to talk to their dentist about placing sealants on their teeth. These coatings can make it harder for bacteria/plaque to form on their teeth, greatly reducing the potential for cavities (according to the Centers for Diseases Control).
  • Happy oral health habits should start young. As soon as your baby’s first baby tooth erupts, you should clean it gently with a soft cloth. Once the child is 2, you can start training her on how to brush her teeth. You can floss for her until she’s about 4 or 5, but you can start letting her do it on her own at about age 5 (you’ll supervise of course, until you can see that she can floss correctly herself).
  • Don’t drink sodas, even the sugar-free kind, as the carbonic acid in them can erode your tooth enamel.

An ice cold soda can be very refreshing on a hot summer’s day. It’s carbonic acid also can erode your tooth enamel….

  • Get your kids brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Make sure all adults in the home do the same so that your children will think this is normal. What children see is what they do, so if everyone brushes/flosses regularly, your children will, too.
  • If you can’t brush right away after eating, at least chew some sugar-free gum. Doing so will increase saliva, which neutralizes the acid in your teeth (which can erode your enamel over time) and washes away the bacteria that will form on your teeth.
  • If you can’t brush, but you have some anti-bacterial mouthwash handy, rinse your mouth with it after eating.
  • Don’t smoke. It stains your teeth and could lead to oral cancer. Start talking to your children when they’re very young about the serious health risks associated with smoking.
  • Limit sugar-laden and starchy foods: they are full of simple carbohydrates (sugars) that can produce enamel-eroding acids. They also create bacteria on your teeth that can become plaque, possibly leading to the formation of cavities.
  • If your child grinds his teeth, get him to a dentist. Tooth grinding (bruxism) can erode the surfaces of your child’s teeth, making them more susceptible to tooth decay. To prevent your child’s tooth grinding, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard that your child will wear at night.
  • Visit your dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning. Doing so removes the built-up plaque that wasn’t removed by your daily brushing/flossing. The dentist also can check your mouth for signs of periodontal disease and even oral cancer.

 

Follow these tips – and get your children to follow them – and all of you can enjoy a healthy smile for years and decades to come.

 

image courtesy of Iamnee/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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If you notice that the inside of your cheeks appear to “peel” from time to time, it could be because you’re having a mild allergic reaction to your toothpaste.

But it also could mean something more serious:, gingivitis/periodontitis, canker sores or the more serious mouth ulcers, or even Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

If you notice peeling or sores in your mouth that don’t go away within a few days, get to a dentist ASAP!

Read below for more information on some of the different causes of mouth peeling.

  • First, the toothpaste reaction: some people have a mild allergic reaction to whitening toothpastes. If you suspect this to be the cause of the peeling, simply stop using the toothpaste.
  • Gums peeling is a sign of a more serious condition: you could have a very bad case of gingivitis or even periodontal disease. If you notice that your gums are peeling away from your teeth, you probably have one of these conditions. Both gingivitis and periodontal disease make your gum tissues become inflamed. If left untreated, your gum could start to recede from your teeth and some of your gum tissue may even peel away. If your gum is both receding and peeling away at the same time, get to your dentist ASAP!
  • You may have canker sores or mouth ulcers. These tend to look like small white pumps on your gums, As the sores/ulcers heal, some of the gum tissue around them may peel. It’s very important that you see a dentist regularly so that he can check for these sores, as mouth ulcers could be an indication of oral/mouth cancer!
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a very serious condition. Peeling inside your mouth is a symptom that occurs long after other symptoms have presented themselves. The condition usually is a reaction to an infection or a medication. The syndrome usually starts with flu-like symptoms (high fever, aches and pains) and then is followed by a purple or red rash that blisters and spreads along your skin and the mucous membranes of your mouth (and even your genitals, nose, and eyes).  The top layer of the affected areas of your skin can die and shed (hence, the peeling). Recovery can take months. If, in addition to flu-like symptoms, you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. The good news about Stevens-Johnson Syndrome? It’s rare!

If you’re at all concerned about the inside of your cheeks peeling, gums peeling from your teeth or any other symptoms appearing in your mouth, contact Plano dentist Dr. Darren Dickson at 972-596-5995.

Image courtesy of patrisyu/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Here’s a worthy goal to shoot for: no matter how many cavities you’ve had in the past, vow to yourself that you’ll never have another.

 

As in never. Ever. Never have another cavity.

 

Read below for three things you can do to meet this goal.

 

1. Understand that there’s a reason why dentists insist that you brush twice a day, floss once a day and visit them twice a year for professional teeth cleaning: these habits work!

Your dentist keeps telling you brush your teeth because doing so really does prevent cavities!

Here’s why: cavities are caused by two things: carbohydrates and bacteria. Eat carbohydrates in the form of sugar and starch and the bacteria that live on your teeth feed on the carbohydrates you eat.

 

The bacteria then has to – well – get rid the waste products of its food and that waste excreted by the bacteria  produces plaque as well as acid. If not removed, these two eventually will eat through your tooth enamel and form a cavity.

 

So that’s why your dentist wants you to brush your teeth (removes plaque from the front and back of teeth) and floss (removes plaque from in between your teeth) and come in for a check up twice a year (so that you can get the still-extant and tougher plaque removed from your teeth professionally).

 

Bacteria on your teeth can double in as few as five hours; hence your dentist’s admonishment to brush twice a day. (Hint: three times is a lot better!)

 

2. Cut way down on sweets and starches. Seriously. Cut way back. And don’t eat sugary foods between meals. If you must have a sweet treat, make sure you have it with your meal, not as a snack. (And then go brush your teeth when done eating.)

 

3. Talk to your dentist about having a sealant placed on your teeth. These are coatings that are placed on your teeth to fill the ever-present grooves at the top of your teeth, helping to prevent cavities. Many of the grooves on your teeth are too deep and narrow for your toothbrush bristles to clean thoroughly, but sealants make the tooth smoother and easier to clean. In addition, since the grooves are smoothed out, there’s less surface area on your tooth for bacteria to hide in – they won’t be able to hide from your toothbrush!

 

Will following the three steps above guarantee that you won’t ever again have a cavity? Of course not! But they will lower your odds considerably. Truly.

 

image courtesy of cooldesign/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Veneer Misconceptions

Many people think of porcelain veneers as a very quick way to get a gorgeous smile.

 

That part is true.

 

But there are many misconceptions about veneers: you could be thinking that veneers will solve all your oral health problems, while they really can and should only be used for certain situations and circumstances.

 

Read below for more information.

Veneers can – and do! – create beautiful smiles. But they’re not without their issues.

One major misconception people have is that they can get veneers for all their teeth. It’s possible to place a veneer on every tooth, but it’s not wise or really economically feasible for most people because of the expense (veneers usually aren’t covered by insurance).

 

One veneer (a Lumineer, or “traditional” veneer) can cost anywhere between $800 to $2,000. Multiply that by 28 or 32 teeth (the number of teeth most adults tend to have) and you can see how expensive getting veneers on all teeth could be. Factors that raise the cost per tooth include the tooth’s location in the mouth as well as its condition.

 

If you’re looking for a dazzling smile, with beautifully white and straight teeth, many dentists recommend getting about six veneers on your top front teeth and then bleaching the remaining teeth. This usually creates a gorgeous smile.

 

Another misconception is that a veneer can replace a missing tooth. A veneer can’t do this because a veneer is placed on the front of a tooth, so a veneer won’t help you if a tooth is missing (you’d need a denture or implant to replace a missing tooth).

 

Not every tooth is a good candidate for a veneer. The tooth must be in good health and can’t be too weak from decay, large fillings and – while many veneers are used to beautify a chipped or broken tooth – the tooth can’t have too large a fracture.  (You may need to get a crown if a tooth is considerably weak from decay.)

 

In addition, you should know that once your dentist starts the procedure (he will shave away a portion of the front of your tooth so that a veneer can be placed over it), the process can’t be reversed.

 

What’s, more, your tooth may become more sensitive to cold and hot foods and liquids because some of your tooth’s protective enamel will be removed in the shaving process.

 

image courtesy of imagerymajestic/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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When it comes to your teeth, the more you know, the better.

 

With that in mind, here are nine things everyone should know about teeth. (Note: some are “just for fun,” while others are truly “good to know”):

  1. Some people don’t lose all of their baby teeth. Most of us have about 20 baby teeth by the time we turn 3. We then start to lose these teeth around age 5 or 6, replacing the baby teeth with “adult’ tooth, finishing up the process by the time we hit our early teens. But if we don’t have a tooth to replace the baby tooth, the baby tooth stays put.
  2. As children we have about 20 baby teeth, but a grown adult has between 28-32 teeth, with the final four (leading to the total of 32) of four wisdom teeth that appear between the ages of 17 and 25.
  3. Most of us are born toothless, but our teeth start to form while we’re still in utero. Most baby teeth start to erupt when an infant is around 12 to 18 months.  But some people come into this world with tiny teeth on the bottom half of their mouth. Known as natal teeth, these teeth usually have weak roots. Most natal teeth are removed not long after birth to make breast feeding less painful for the mother.
  4. The U.S. and other Western cultures may revere beautiful, white, straight teeth, but some folks in Japan prefer their teeth slightly crooked, so much so that people with perfectly straight teeth sometimes opt to don crooked veneers to alter their smile to the coveted non-perfect look.
  5. Enamel, the substance that covers your tooth to protect it from the elements, is the hardest substance found in the human body.
  6. As hard as enamel is, it’s surprisingly susceptible to erosion due to plaque and the bacteria that grow on plaque. Enamel also can become stained, yellow or even a grey-ish color from such things as tea, coffee, wine, strawberries, cigarettes, etc.
  7. Sharks grow a new tooth if one is lost (some sharks will go through 30,000 teeth in a lifetime). Humans, however, have just two sets (baby and adult teeth). Once your adult teeth are in, take very good care of them: you won’t grow any more.
  8. Picture the size of an average swimming pool. Then picture two of them. Now think of your saliva. You will produce enough saliva in your lifetime to fill both of those pools (about 25,000 gallons total)
  9. The average man in American today has a lifespan of 76 years. That’s 27,740. The average person spends the equivalent of 38.5 days of that life brushing his teeth. Considering that practicing good oral hygiene habits (of which brushing is one) can help prevent heart attack and stroke, we think that spending just .0013878 of it is well worth the “hassle.”

 

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Oral health is far more important to your overall health than you may realize. Neglect your teeth and gums by not brushing, flossing, visiting the dentist for regular checkups, etc. and cavities/gingivitis/periodontal disease will be in your future.

Neglect to visit a dentist for serious issues such as loose teeth, gum issues, painful teeth and advanced periodontal disease and you very well could end up with heart disease.

So while you may not want to visit your dentist regularly and brush your teeth, it’s critical that you do so.

What’s more, your dentist truly does want you to talk to him. He wants you to ask him questions. We too often discuss just the pleasantries when we go in for our dental checkups and leave with a quick goodbye.

But your regular dental visit can be goldmine of good information for you. Use this time at your dentist’s office wisely by asking the following five questions:

1. “What’s this thing on the roof of my mouth?” If the dentist or hygienist doesn’t do so (but you can bet your last dollar they more than likely will), ask them to check the inside of your mouth for lesions. A lesion often is an indication of oral cancer and dental professionals often are the first to detect the disease.

2. “Should I be worried about my bleeding gums?” If you’re gums bleed regularly and/or every time you brush, you definitely should bring this up to your dentist. The occasional bleeding of gums after brushing vigorously or flossing isn’t cause for concern; bleeding consistently is a problem. If your gums bleed, it’s a sign of inflammation – your mouth is infected and the infection could spread to other parts of your body.

3.“I’ve heard that abrasive toothpastes, such as those that claim to whiten my teeth, can ruin my enamel. Is this true?” Probably not. The mild abrasives such as papain and silica – often found in OTC tooth whitening toothpastes will help in removing stains and whitening and polishing your teeth.

4.  “I never eat candy, cookies, pies, or cakes. Yet you’re telling me I have a cavity! What gives?” Candy and sugary foods aren’t the only cavity-causing foods. Starches found in breads and pastas also can cause cavities, as can the sugars in fruit juices and wines. Starches and acids can make your mouth too acidic, which can then become a nursery for the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

5.“My doctor is having me take a low-dosage aspirin every day. Is that a problem?” It could be, particularly if you’re there to have a tooth extracted. Aspirin – even at low dosages – can cause bleeding. You should tell your dentist about all medicines your taking.

 

Your dentist can be your first-line of defense for a variety of health issues. Talk it up during appointments! Don’t be shy!

 

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6 Implant benefits

If you have missing, crooked, chipped, and/or diseased teeth, you may be considering having some cosmetic dentistry performed.

 

Your options could include porcelain veneers, braces, Invisalign, a crown, dentures, etc.

 

But if you’re missing a tooth or your teeth are chipped or broken, perhaps your best bet from a cosmetic standpoint is the dental implant.

Dental implants offer the best bet for your time and money than another type of cosmetic work for chipped or missing teeth.

Read below for six benefits of dental implants.

 

  1. Implants will last a very long time. A dental bridge typically lasts about seven years, at most. But an implant can last your lifetime, so long as it’s implanted into your jaw properly and you take good care of it.
  2. Dentures can be uncomfortable. What’s more, many people report that they worry the denture may move in their mouth. But dental implants allow you to eat, chew and smile each and every day, and every moment of every day, as is they were your natural teeth. They don’t move. They look like real teeth. They feel like real teeth in your mouth.
  3. Implants are so natural looking that we defy anyone looking at your mouth as you speak or smile to detect that they are not your natural teeth.
  4. As natural looking as they appear, implants look far better than a tooth that’s chipped, stained, crooked, or broken. In other words, they can improve the look of your smile ten-fold. (In fact, some implant wearers swear that their smile has improved a hundred-fold!)
  5. Having even one missing tooth can mean health issues for your remaining natural teeth. Such issues could include the deterioration and even loss of some of your jawbone. This could take place because your jawbone isn’t being used to support a tooth, so it loses firmness and strength. A dental implant, however, will preserve and even stimulate the growth of your natural bone. Dental implants are the only restorative dental option that does so.
  6. No more cavities! The part of your implant that looks like your natural tooth actually is a dental crown placed on top of the implant itself. Since the crown isn’t alive, it can’t be attacked by plaque and decay or get cavities. (Important note: It’s critical that you clean and floss your implants the same as you would your natural teeth It’s also imperative that you visit you dentist at least twice a year for a checkup, during which your dentist will inspect your gums and make sure the implants are doing well.)

 

There are two things “wrong” with dental implants:

 

  1. They are expensive and may not be covered by dental insurance.
  2. Not everyone is a good candidate for an implant. Your periodontist or cosmetic dentist will inspect your jawbone and gum health – as well as your overall health – to ascertain if you’re a good candidate for one or more dental implants.

 

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Tips for Clear Braces

If you’ve decided to opt for clear braces to help straighten your teeth, read below for tips on how to keep them clean and clear – and how to make sure they work well to give you a gorgeous smile.

 

First, a bit about what clear braces are:

 

These braces are different than the traditional metal braces While they are called “clear braces,” they’re actually made of clear plastic or even porcelain, making them less noticeable.

 

They are very different from traditional braces in that they move your teeth by using a series of clear plastic aligner trays. You place a tray in your mouth to straighten teeth slightly. You use one aligner tray for two weeks, then swap it out for another tray for two weeks, and so on until your teeth are straight.

 

The trays are made from a mold of your teeth. The first tray is one that is a tiny change from your teeth’s current alignment. The last tray is how you and your dentist/orthodontist want your teeth to look once the treatment is complete. Most clear braces treatments take about a year.

 

Getting clear braces involves a few steps. The first is a consultation with your dentist to see if you’re a good candidate. The dentist will take digital x-rays of your teeth as well as photos and impressions. The aligner trays are made specifically for your mouth.

 

Once your teeth have straightened, you’ll wear a retainer for a few months in order to ensure your teeth stay straight.

 

Invisalign is a brand of clear braces.

 

Tips for best results:

 

·         You shouldn’t drink hot beverages because the heat can warp the trays so that they no longer fit over your teeth as they should.

·         You also should drink only water while the trays are in your mouth. Remove the trays if you drink soda, tea, coffee, orange juice, etc. because they could either a) stain your teeth and/or b) enhance tooth erosion because the acids and sugars in the sweet colas or juices can get between your aligners and your teeth and, if allowed to stay there for a few hours between brushing, could erode the teeth/cause stains.

 

 

Never drink orange juice while wearing clear braces. The acid in the juice could erode your tooth enamel.

 

·         You also shouldn’t smoke while wearing the aligners. Nicotine can stain your teeth.

·         You should remove the trays to eat.

·         To keep your trays in great shape, clean them by rinsing them at least once a day to remove bacteria and plaque that may develop on them.

 

Your dentist/orthodontist will give you instructions on how to best wear and care for your clear braces. Follow his instructions as closely as possible for best results.

 

Photo courtesy of tiverylucky/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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If you’ve lost a tooth due to accident or due to advanced periodontal disease, you may have been considering getting a dental implant and are wondering if you’re a good candidate for the procedure.

 

Read below to learn who is – and isn’t – a good candidate when it comes to getting one or more dental implants.

 

Dental implants are artificial teeth that are placed in your jaw. They are designed to hold one or more a replacement/prosthetic teeth. These prosthetics look exactly like natural teeth; even better than natural teeth.

An x-ray of teeth with three implant screws. Prosthetic teeth will be placed on the screws/implants

Most people are good candidates for dental implants. You should have healthy gums (your dentist, periodontist or oral surgeon will examine your teeth, gum and jaw to see that you are). You also need to have enough bones in your jaw so that the implants can be well-anchored.

 

You also should be highly committed to taking care of your implants and the gum tissue surrounding them. This entails brushing twice a day, flossing at least once a day and visiting your dentist regularly for follow-up appointments.

 

Those who probably aren’t good dental implant candidates tend to be those who:

 

  • Are heavy smokers. Smoking restricts blood vessels, which hinders healing. Heavy smokers have a lower chance of having an implant “take” successfully.
  • Are pregnant.
  • Are young (jawbones are still growing). Many dentists believe boys shouldn’t get implants until they are at least 17 years old; girls may be able to get implants as young as 14 or 15. Your dentist will examine the young person to ascertain if jawbone growth has reached maximum.
  • Abusers of alcohol or other substances, particularly if they aren’t ready to follow the dentist’s instructions to the letter. Such instructions could include no smoking and returning regularly for follow-up appointments.
  • People who take some types of medications, particularly those that suppress the body’s immune system.
  • Those who have undergone high-dosage radiation treatments to their head or neck.
  • Individuals who have a chronic disease or systemic problems such as hemophilia, immune deficiencies, connective-tissue disease, or uncontrolled diabetes. Individuals with these conditions still may be able to get dental implants depending on the severity of the condition.
  • People who clench their teeth severely because doing so can put too much pressure on the dental implants, increasing the risk of failure.

 

If you’re interested in seeing if you’re a good candidate for one or more dental implants, speak with your dentist. If he or she doesn’t perform this procedure, your dentist will be able to refer you to an oral surgeon or periodontist who can evaluate you.

 

Image by Partynia (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

 

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Do you love your teeth? We mean, really love them. As in appreciate all that they do for you. As in being grateful that you have them, no matter how much trouble they may be giving you at the moment.

 

If not, we urge you to take a few moments every now and then to really think about how great teeth are so that you’ll be sure to show them some real love by taking care of them in the way they deserve.

Love your beautiful smile? Make sure you continue to show some love to your teeth.

Read below for why we love teeth (and you should, too):

 

  • A beautiful smile sends a message to the people who see it. It says you care about your appearance enough to take care of yourself. It doesn’t signal that you’re vain and obsessed with your looks. Instead, knowing that you take good care of your teeth allows you to beam a big smile when you meet friends and acquaintances. People are drawn to those with self-confidence. If your teeth are in poor condition you may not smile as much as you’d like, possibly keeping potential new friends at bay.
  • Your teeth can be an indication of your overall health. Unhealthy teeth and gums (which present themselves if you don’t practice proper oral hygiene) can lead to a whole host of bad health issues, including heart disease.
  • Your teeth and gums – so long as they’re healthy -- allow you to eat just about any food you want, any time you want. Ask anyone who has lost one or more teeth, or who has major gum issues, and he or she will tell you that that ability to eat anything at any time is nothing to take for granted.
  • Unhealthy teeth and gums also mean you could suffer from painful swollen gums, mouth lesions/ulcers or dry mouth.
  • Loving your teeth means you visit your dentist at least two times a year for a professional cleaning and checkup. Oral cancer is a nasty disease and your dentist can discover the beginning stages of this disease during one of those visits, helping you get the treatment you need as soon as possible.

 

We urge you to show some appreciation and love to your teeth by taking care of them properly. It doesn’t take much effort or time (certainly not nearly the constant effort your teeth exert for you as they let eat and smile a beautiful smile). All you need to do is brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss at least once a day, visit your dentist at least twice a year, watch your sweets intake, and never smoke (or quit).

 

That’s pretty much all you need to do to show your teeth some love and reap the benefits of doing so.

 

Photo courtesy of stockimages/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Do some of the foods you love now “bite back” at you? That is, are you finding that your usual Sunday afternoon ice cream cone causes some pain when you bite into it? Do hot or cold foods see you quickly placing your hands on your mouth from the pain? And this is for food temperatures that never bothered you before?

 

This tooth sensitivity could be signs that your tooth enamel has started to erode or thin.

 

Your tooth enamel is the outer layer of the tooth. It’s actually a very tough shell – it’s the hardest tissue in the human body, stronger even than our bones. It’s the part of your teeth that others see when you smile.

 

Enamel does more than just present a pretty smile to your friends. It protects your teeth from the rigors of daily use – from biting, crunching, chewing, and grinding.

Your tooth enamel is the white covering over your tooth. It’s actually stronger than your bones.

The bad news: should your tooth enamel erode/thin to the point that it develops cracks or chips, the damage is done: enamel has no living cells and the human body isn't able to repair cracked or chipped enamel.

 

Enamel erosion can be caused by several things, including a diet high in sugar and starches, drinking a lot of soft drinks (the phosphoric and citric acids can wear it away), medications such as aspirin and antihistamines, low flow of saliva, acid re-flux disease (GERD), as well as gastrointestinal problems that cause frequent vomiting, which can erode enamel.

 

Normal wear and tear also can erode enamel as you grow older.

 

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What to Do if You Break a Tooth

Teeth are very strong. Think about it: they chomp cookies, crackers, on shelled nuts, tough meat, gooey caramels, large lolly pops – you name it, your teeth have probably conquered it.

 

Until they meet their match.

 

Most people never break or chip a tooth. But many people do. Sometimes the cause is as innocuous as biting down on an errant unpopped popcorn kernel.

 

Sometimes it’s caused by doing something you should never do, such as pop a beer bottle cap off with your teeth.

 

Sometimes we fall down and break a tooth. Or something hits us hard in the mouth.

 

No matter the cause, take a look below for tips on what to do if you break or chip a tooth.

 

  • First of all, don’t be surprised if you don’t feel any pain. Minor fractures usually don’t cause pain; you probably will feel pain if a large piece of your tooth breaks off. If you do feel pain it may be constant…or not: the pain could come and go. Most people will feel some discomfort when chewing.
  • So how can you know if you chipped/broke a tooth? Your tongue undoubtedly will feel the jagged/broken edge of the tooth.
  • If you see that your tooth is “just” cracked, you may think it’s Ok to skip the visit to your dentist, but you should see a dentist as soon as possible. In addition, chances are that you’ll be in pain. If the pain is constant, that could be a sign that you’ve damaged blood vessels or a nerve in your tooth. This is a serious matter and you should see a dentist as soon as you can.
  • You’ll definitely need to visit a dentist if you’ve broken a tooth.  The dentist will take a look and determine if the tooth’s nerve is in danger. (If it is, you probably will need to undergo a root canal).

 

A broken tooth means there’s definitely a dentist visit in your future!

 

  • As you make your way to the dentist’s office, do all you can to find the tooth, or its broken bits, and bring it to the dentist’s office with you.
  • Rinse your mouth repeatedly with warm water.
  • Your mouth probably will bleed; apply pressure for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Use a piece of clean gauze on the wound and apply pressure. If this doesn’t stop the bleeding, place a tea bag on the wound and apply pressure.
  • To reduce swelling and relieve pain, apply a cold pack to your lips or cheek over the broken tooth.
  • If you can’t get to the dentist quickly, head to the drugstore and purchase temporary dental cement. Cover the part of your tooth that remains in your mouth with the cement.
  • While at the drugstore, if you’re in pain, purchase an over-the-counter pain reliever.
  • If you need to eat, eat only soft foods and chew on the side of your mouth opposite of the broken tooth.

 

By James Heilman, MD (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

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Wouldn’t it be nice if you could set a New Year’s resolution for 2015 that is simple, is quick and is easy to keep?

 

You can: all you need to do is resolve to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day.

 

That’s it. That is by far the BEST and easiest of any New Year’s resolution.

 

Here’s why: brushing and flossing (and visiting your dentist for teeth cleanings at least twice a year can go a long way to keeping you healthy and happy throughout all your life.

 

Here are just some of the benefits you’ll receive by following this simple practice of regularly brushing and flossing your teeth.

 

  • You’ll have a much better chance of keeping all of your teeth (no implants or dentures for you!) for the rest of your life.
  • Your teeth have a much less chance of becoming discolored (unsightly).
  • Toothaches will be kept at a minimum (no cavities or periodontal disease to cause the pain).
  • Your chances of having a heart attack or even stroke are minimalized because plaque (which is removed via brushing/flossing/regular professional cleanings) can’t become gingivitis, which can’t become periodontal disease which can’t then move dangerous bacteria into your blood stream, bacteria that can cause serious diseases, including heart disease and stroke.

 

Resolve to brush and floss your teeth each day and in 2015 and you’ve just made one of the easiest resolutions – and best – resolutions to keep this year.

 

So be kind to your future self – make your future self so proud of the you of today – by resolving to brush and floss each and every day!

 

In fact, why not take your oral healthcare resolution to the next level and see if you can’t also resolve to:

 

  • Eat fewer sugar- and starch-laden foods such as cookies, candies, cakes, and sugared sodas and other drinks.
  • Brush your tongue when you brush your teeth.
  • Drink at least eight glasses (eight ounces each) of liquids each day that aren’t sugar-laden. This can include coffee, juice, water, etc.
  • Visit your dentist at the first sign of discomfort. Don’t put this off, hoping it will go away on its own. It usually doesn’t and the sooner you can take care of a problem, the better.

 

Brush and floss each day and – we’re serious – you’ve pretty much covered any “take better care of my health this year” resolution you could make for 2015.

 

Photo courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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Does your child have a lisp? It could be caused by his or her crooked teeth.

 

Many younger children (as young as age 7) could use orthodontic treatments to help correct speech impediments caused by crooked teeth.

 

In fact, many younger children could benefit from orthodontic treatments to correct a variety of issues, including jaw and some bite problems (such as an underbite). Such early orthodontic treatment can help ensure your child’s mouth has room for her permanent teeth, reducing the chance of having to have teeth pulled when she’s older.

 

Having your young child undergo “early” orthodontic treatment can help prevent major issues as he grows older.

 

How can you tell if your child needs early orthodontic treatment?

 

  • Your child has a speech impediment, such as a lisp.
  • She breaths through her mouth most of the time.
  • He lost his baby teeth early or late (most children start losing their baby teeth at about age 5 and have all of their permanent teeth by about age 13).
  • Your child has difficulty biting and/or chewing.
  • She continues to suck her thumb after the age of 5.
  • He has protruding teeth in which his top and bottom teeth extend away from each other.
  • Your child’s teeth don’t come together at all.
  • Your child’s jaw “shifts” whenever he open or closes his mouth (he has a crossbite).
  • Her front teeth become crowded (this often occurs at around age 7 or 8).

 

By the time most permanent teeth have erupted (by age 13), your child’s jaw bones will have hardened and stopped growing. Waiting to have orthodontic procedures until your child’s a teen usually takes longer and can entail pulling teeth and/or oral surgery.

 

Orthodontic treatments performed as a youngster can prevent the need for such treatments as an adult, as well as reducing the need for oral surgery and/or tooth extraction.

 

If your child has crooked teeth, a lisp, sucks his or her thumb or is presenting other signs that orthodontic care could be beneficial, contact your family dentist for an appointment, examination of your child’s mouth and jaw, and a consultation regarding possible procedures.

 

Photo courtesy of arztsamui/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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We see it in slapstick comedies all the time: a child’s baby tooth is getting loose, so Dad gets some sturdy twine, wraps one end around the tooth, the other end around an open door, slams the door, and – voila! – the tooth is out quickly and painlessly.

 

Not likely.

 

Yanking a tooth out will cause pain and it can cause your child’s gums to bleed.

 

In fact, it’s really best if you let the tooth come out on its own…with a tiny bit of help from your child.

 

Your child’s baby teeth should pretty much come out on their own, with a little bit of wriggling help from your child.

 

But if you or your child really can’t wait that long, read below for tips on how to gently pull out a baby tooth.

 

  • As the tooth becomes loose, encourage your child to wriggle it with her tongue. It probably will come out on its own with enough wriggling.
  • There’s a chance wriggling it will result in the tooth dangling by a thin “thread” to your child’s mouth, or it can be very loose in its socket, but still hanging in there.
  • If that’s the case, you may want to pull the tooth. Place some gauze over it, grab hold gently and twist the tooth out. It shouldn’t hurt much, and your child should feel – if anything – little more than sharp and brief twinge. If the tooth doesn’t feel loose enough to you, don’t pull or twist it out.
  • Be aware that sometimes your child’s permanent teeth will erupt behind the baby teeth before your child’s first teeth have a chance to loosen and fall out. If you notice this, visit your dentist to discuss how to make sure your child loses her baby teeth safely.

 

The reason it’s best to let the tooth pretty much fall out on its own is because your child’s first teeth come out just before her permanent teeth are ready to erupt. So it’s just wise to let nature do what nature has been doing for thousands of years.

 

Children usually start losing their baby teeth around age 6. They should be completely done losing these first teeth and have all their permanent teeth by about age 13.

 

If your child still has baby teeth by the time she’s a teenager, or if you have any doubt at all about pulling your child’s baby teeth, visit your dentist.

 

Photo courtesy of arztsamui/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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When the Tooth Fairy Doesn’t Deliver

There will be at least one time your child – sneaky devil! – will lose one of her baby teeth and not tell you. After all, it came out easily enough and, besides, she knows the drill: place it under her pillow and the next morning the Tooth Fairy will have brought her cash. Easy peasy!

 

Tell the Tooth Fairy to get ready for a delivery; there’s a loose tooth in the house!

 

Except….she didn’t tell you, so the Tooth Fairy didn’t fork over the dough.

 

What do tell your child?

 

Read below for a few different strategies to try:

 

  • You could grab a dollar bill or two (or a $5, if that’s how your Tooth Fairy rolls), place it surreptitiously in the palm of your hand (and do so as you’re saying to your child “Oh, no! That can’t be right. Maybe you just missed it!”) and head to your child’s room. Make a point of sweeping under the bed covers and whaddyaknow! There’s the Tooth Fairy’s deposit!
  • If you have older children who know that parents are the Tooth Fairy, consider getting him or her involved. Give the older child the tooth fairy cash and tell him to say something along the lines of “Oh, that’s why I found the two dollars under my pillow; the Tooth Fairy must have gotten us mixed up!” Make sure the older child gives the younger the cash.
  • You could simply say that the Tooth Fairy probably was overbooked and that she’s sure to make an appearance tonight.

 

But what if your child is older? Might this be a good time to let her know that Tooth Fairy is you?

 

Most children start to wonder about the reality of a Tooth Fairy around the age of 7 or 8 (they’ve been losing baby teeth since about age 5 or 6). They may have heard rumors from friends that the Tooth Fairy is really Mom or Dad. Or they may question the logic of a little fairy coming up to 20 times (about the number of baby teeth that your child will lose) in her short life time to place cash under her pillow in exchange for a tooth.

 

Most parenting experts recommend that you tell your child the truth if she asks you. (Note: if she becomes angry, it’s usually not because she discovered that you’ve been lying to her all this time; it’s because she still wants the fairy tale to be real. Most children will get over this pretty quickly.)

 

Children love to be “in” on adult things, so you can enlist her help in keeping “our secret” from her younger siblings and even friends. Tell her it’s fun to help youngsters believe in the Tooth Fairy and it’s not her place to tell friends/siblings the truth because it’s the parents’ job.

 

Photo courtesy of ankpkr/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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