If you have recently undergone dental implant surgery, you will want to know how to care for your new implant and what potential problems to look for following surgery, so you may heal properly and maintain your good oral health.
Implant patients are carefully screened to ensure that they are healthy enough for dental implant surgery, as there are always risks and possible complications to the patient. Patients with allergies, existing medical conditions, bleeding disorders, infections or disorders that inhibit healing should be examined thoroughly. The surgeon plans carefully to ensure the success of any dental implant and that the patient heals properly.
Dental implant surgery has a high success rate. Failures of a dental implant usually results from infection, fracture of the implant itself, damage to the nerves, blood vessels and teeth surrounding the implant, or overloading of the dental implant. Poor positioning and poor bone quality can also pose an issue to dental implant success. A qualified surgeon can help avoid these issues, but should you face them, another surgery can replace a failed implant.
Dental implants run the risk of developing peri-implantitis, an infection and inflammation of the bone holding the implant in place. If left untreated, peri-implantitis can lead to the loss of the implant. Be vigilant to the signs of infection and stay in touch with your surgeon, who will give you the best advice for healing.
Once a dental implant is in place, maintain your routine of good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day and floss once, especially before bedtime. It is essential to establish and maintain a lifelong habit of good oral hygiene so that your teeth remain as healthy as possible. See your dentist twice a year for professional check-ups and cleanings.
Non-smokers and patients who have already established patterns of good oral hygiene heal faster and are more likely to have a full recovery. Your surgeon may advise you to stop smoking before your dental implant surgery to improve your odds of successful implant surgery.
Take care of your teeth and your new dental implants, see your dentist regularly, and your dental implants should last a lifetime.
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Porcelain veneers are a fast and effective way to fix your teeth and give you a beautiful smile. When cared for properly, veneers are long-lasting and can be kept for twenty years or more. To ensure the longevity and success of your porcelain veneers, consider the following recommendations:
- Do maintain a healthy oral care regimen. Veneers do not decay and cannot get cavities, but this does not mean you should slack off with your teeth cleaning routine. Brush and floss thoroughly to avoid gum disease which can cause the gums to recede from the edge of the veneer.
- Do avoid chewing on hard objects or food. Nibbling on your pen or biting directly into an apple could cause your veneers to crack or chip.
- Do wear a protective mouth guard when playing sports to protect your veneers from impact that could lead to chips, cracks or breakage.
- Don’t eat or drink foods or beverages that are known to stain teeth. While your veneers are not susceptible to staining, the adhesive that attaches them to the front of your teeth can absorb stain.
- Don’t drink alcohol heavily or frequently, as over time it tends to dissolve the bonding material that holds the porcelain to the tooth.
- Don’t grind your teeth, as it can cause tiny breaks and cracks in the surface of your teeth and veneers. If you are aware you excessively grind or gnash your teeth, ask your dentist if you need a night guard or need to have your bite adjusted.
- Do visit your dentist regularly to have your veneers checked and polished.
Porcelain veneers can make an enormous difference to your confidence, your appearance, and your overall happiness. With the proper care, you can enjoy your veneers for many years to come.
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Getting the dental care you need is important for your entire family. Finding a family dentist can be one of the best choices you make regarding the health of every member of your household. A family dentist is a dental professional who can provide care and treatment for all types of patients. Some of the benefits that come with locating a qualified family dentist include the following:
- A family dentist is trained to provide care for all ages of patients, in varying stages of growth and maturity.
- Your family dentist is a one-stop shop that saves you time and hassle by taking your entire family to one location. You may even be able to make all of your family’s appointments on the same day, to avoid having to take off from work or school on multiple occasions.
- When you choose a family dentist, you are choosing lifelong dental care. Your children will not need to find a new dentist or transfer their dental records when they become adults, guaranteeing continuity of care.
- Because your entire family will be visiting the same dentist, you will be able to develop a personal relationship with the office and staff. Having a family dentist who is familiar with your family will make it easier for them to give you the best care possible.
Whether you need to schedule annual examinations, routine cleanings or seek treatment for dental problems, a family dentist will have your issues covered. Family dentistry allows families to build trust with one familiar dental professional and gives them a comfortable place to go for their dental needs. The oral health of your family is crucial, and finding a qualified family dentist is the first step towards years of healthy smiles for your entire family.
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You could be an excellent candidate for professional teeth whitening if you suffer from superficial tooth stains and have a desire for a brighter, whiter smile. Professional teeth whitening not only removes the surface stains that are making your teeth look yellow and dingy, but also penetrates the tooth surface to lighten deep-set stains that at-home systems can’t touch.
There are some conditions and situations that may preclude you from being an ideal candidate for teeth whitening, including:
- You should be in good overall oral health. Patients with gum disease, untreated cavities or worn enamel would not be candidates because the bleaching gel will cause sensitivity to those areas.
- Patients under the age of 16 are not good candidates because the nerve of the tooth is enlarged until this age. Teeth whitening could irritate the pulp or cause sensitivity.
- Teeth whitening is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating.
- If you have tooth-colored fillings or composite materials in dental restorations such as crowns or bonding, they will not whiten. This can result in uneven coloring between your teeth and your restorations.
- An allergy to hydrogen peroxide would preclude you from professional teeth whitening.
- Patients with receding or sensitive gums would not be good candidates for teeth whitening.
- If you have darkly stained gray or purple stained teeth, they may be especially resistant to professional bleaching treatments.
Schedule a consultation with your dentist in Etobicoke to find out if you are a good candidate for professional teeth whitening, and to discuss the options best suited to you. With professional teeth whitening, you could be enjoying teeth up to 10 shades lighter in as little as one visit.
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Kids don’t always play it safe or make the best decisions when it comes to protecting their teeth. Tooth decay and mouth injuries are just a couple of things parents must worry about for their kids, whether it’s the elementary school or college years. Here are some simple ways that parents can teach their kids to protect their teeth.
Limit sports and energy drinks
Sports and energy drinks are both heavily marketed toward today’s youth. It is true that sports drinks help replace electrolytes during exercise, but many people drink them too much or outside the exercise realm. Experts have deemed sports drinks to be unnecessary in the lunchroom or as a snack on the playground. The high acid levels in these drinks can erode tooth enamel, with energy drinks determined to cause twice as much damage. It is recommended to save sports drinks for very strenuous activities, and instead stick with water for hydration and refreshment without the negative effects.
Insist upon mouthguards
Parents should provide mouthguards for kids in nearly any sport, even if it isn’t considered mandatory by the school or team. Mouthguards can prevent chips, fractures, or knockouts of teeth, as well as protect the soft tissues of the mouth. According to research estimates, 3 million teeth were knocked out in youth sports in 2011. Dentists suggest that athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to sustain oral injury. Inexpensive basic mouthguards or the boil-and-bite variety are available at sporting goods stores, or customized mouthguards can be purchased through your dentist.
Say no to oral piercings
Although it applies primarily to teenagers and older, the Academy of General Dentistry advises against oral piercing for active people. Those with piercings should remove them before participating in sports, because puncture wounds can lead to infections related to increased blood flow and breathing rates during exercise. If your child is considering and oral piercing, make sure you discuss the risks and need for removal during physical activity.
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Even though teeth whitening is considered very safe, there are some risks of temporary side effects, even when the treatment is considered to have been successful. Gum irritation and sensitivity to very hot or to very cold foods and liquids are the top two reported side effects to teeth whitening, at home or in the dentist office.
Between 30 to 50 percent of patients who use teeth whitening products can expect some tooth sensitivity or irritated gums during the course of their teeth whitening therapies. In some unusual cases, a dentist might recommend that all whitening be stopped for the comfort and safety of the patient.
The greater the concentration of the whitening agent and the longer the duration the product is used, the higher the likelihood of side effects. These effects can occur during or immediately following the bleaching treatment and should abate within two to three days.
Fillings, crowns or other dental restorations will not whiten in the same way that your natural teeth will. Teeth that are whitened inexpertly may be blotchy and produce an overall negative aesthetic that is worse than the original stained teeth.
Sometimes our natural teeth are so darkly stained that they cannot be whitened completely. Some stains are caused by medications such as tetracycline and cannot be altered by whitening. These teeth may require a dentistry procedure such as dental veneers.
It is possible to whiten your teeth too much. The superbright white color looks artificial and can look blue. Overuse can also lead to the degradation and erosion of your enamel, a process that cannot be reversed and can lead to tooth decay or gum disease.
Visit your dentist in Etobicoke for an exam to determine if teeth whitening is safe for you. Use only products your dentist feels are safe, and use them only for their recommended periods of time. Don’t overuse any whitening product, and follow all of the instructions. The best, safest, most effective teeth whitening is found in your dentist’s office. Talk to your dentist today to see what whitening options are available to you.
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