Saving a Tooth with a Root Canal

It is better to save a damaged or diseased tooth than to replace it with an artificial one or to leave a hole in your smile. Trauma, deep cavities, breaks, or gum disease are all reasons you might end up with infection inside your tooth. If not treated in time, an infection can mean the end for your tooth. A root canal is a procedure that can come to the rescue.

A tooth has several parts: the crown, dentin, and the pulp. The outer visible part is the crown, which is made of enamel and allows you to chew food. Dentin is beneath the tooth’s surface and contains nerves. The deepest layer within the dentin holds the roots and pulp of the tooth, which nourishes the teeth. The sensitive pulp can become infected if there is a crack or cavity that provides germs access. If your tooth’s pulp gets infected, decay occurs quickly and will likely cause swelling and pain. The nerves in your tooth will become more sensitive with decay, especially when exposed to hot or cold items.

See your dentist as soon as you suspect you have a tooth problem. After examination and X-rays to identify the issue, your dentist may say a root canal is your best option. The process of a root canal involves deadening the area and drilling through the enamel into the dentin. The infected pulp will be removed with a special instrument, and then a rubber filling will replace the decayed pulp. Sometimes the tooth’s surface is damaged during the root canal, and may be replaced with an artificial crown if needed.

After a root canal, you should practice good oral hygiene to protect your teeth from future infection or decay. Maintaining regular checkups with your dentist is also an important aspect of your oral health.

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Let Cosmetic Dentistry Change Years of Hiding Your Smile

For a large number of people, an attractive, even smile has never been in reach. Many adults have vivid childhood memories of disliking their smiles, hiding behind hands when laughing or smiling close-lipped in photos. Adults who have had lifelong oral health problems can have so much more to deal with than someone who has mild gum disease or a few cavities.

Understandably, it can be the adults who are in desperate need of dental care who are the most anxious about it. These patients may avoid oral care altogether, leading to worsening dental problems. Because their problems have been ongoing since childhood, there is often a presence of very negative experiences while in the dental chair. In the past dentists could project a feeling of judgment or scolding, leaving children reluctant to return for care, turning into adults reluctant to return for care.

There are reasons for tooth problems, even serious ones, which are simply beyond a patient’s control. Patients can be born with problems affecting tooth enamel, or can be at a disadvantage since birth, resulting from a mother’s lack of proper nutrition or the consumption of some antibiotics while pregnant.

If you have a smile that has needed work for years, now is the time for you to schedule a consultation with a skilled dentist. The first meeting is just to talk and to make a tentative plan. Once you know what your options are, begin taking steps toward getting the smile you’ve always dreamed of having. A good dentist understands that so many factors affect a patient’s smile, and will help you achieve your smile goals while being supportive and helpful, not degrading or judgmental. You can turn a lifetime of hidden smiles into a beaming smile of confidence and positive self-esteem.

 

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Help at Home for TMJ

TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, which connects your skull and your jawbone. In some people, this joint becomes very painful and can be accompanied by other symptoms like headaches, clicking sounds, and earaches. If you suffer from TMJ symptoms, it’s likely that you want some relief. A dentist will be able to help you with diagnosis and treatment, but here are some suggestions of remedies you can try at home first to see if they help.

Avoid jaw overuse
Try not to use your jaw too much. Of course it’s impossible to rest it completely because you need to eat and speak, but avoid hard foods that require intense chewing and biting. This can help relax your jaw muscles and prevent the disease from getting worse.

Take over-the-counter medications
Over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help alleviate your pain. Ibuprofen is also beneficial in reducing any swelling that might occur in your jaw joint.

Reduce stress
TMJ is worsened by high levels of stress. Enrolling in stress management classes or listening to tapes that are made to ease stress are good ways to control your anxieties. Another suggestion is performing stretching exercises for your neck and shoulders, which can help eliminate tension in your upper body.

Maintain good posture
Focus on keeping good posture, which can lessen the irritation of your neck muscles. Remember to stand tall and to sit up straight, and take breaks to move around during long stretches of sitting.

See a doctor
If your TMJ symptoms don’t improve after trying these tips, schedule an appointment with dentist. You will be evaluated so that the dentist can propose the most appropriate treatment options for you. Sometimes medications like muscle relaxants and prescription pain relievers are helpful. Another possible treatment is a mouth guard if the dentist determines that you are grinding your teeth, which is a common trigger for TMJ. Physical therapy is another treatment, and in more severe cases surgery is recommended.

What is TMJ Dysfunction?

Do you suffer with chronic headaches or migraines? Do you hear your jaws click or pop? If you answered yes, you could be one of the millions living with TMJ dysfunction (temporomandibular joint dysfunction). Problems with TMJ dysfunction can generate a host of painful symptoms and negatively impact your well being.

The TMJ joints hold the lower jaw to the temporal bone and allow routine jaw motion. When these joints are misaligned, associated muscles are strained and discomfort can occur. Stress, heredity, certain habits, and a number of other factors can contribute to TMJ dysfunction.

If you think TMJ dysfunction is a problem for you, contact your dentist. The doctor will complete a thorough exam and then make treatment recommendations. Dr. Yolanda Cruz offers Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA), which records the vibrations that occur during jaw movement. This gives Dr. Cruz a better understanding of the TMJ function before and during the creation of a dental appliance or oral splint. Other treatments include physical therapy, stress reduction, rebuilding damaged teeth with restorations, or habit changes to relieve TMJ symptoms.

These tips may help you deal with your TMJ dysfunction:

•    Apply warm compresses to the area, which may reduce inflammation and soothe discomfort.
•    Consider meditation to slow breathing, help you relax, and alleviate uncomfortable symptoms.
•    Find an effective way to handle stress. A calming bath, long walk, or yoga class may ease your anxiety and reduce triggers for flare ups.
•    Talk with your dentist about a mouth guard. An oral splint can keep your jaw in the proper position so that the chewing system doesn’t become strained.
•    Join a support group. Talking with others who have similar experiences can give you a safe place to share your feelings and find comfort.

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Reasons to Consider a Family Dentist

There are various specialties within in dentistry, and one of them is family dentistry. You may not be familiar with this term and the reasons to consider finding this type of dentist for your own family. Here are some advantages to family dentistry.

Simplified dental visits
Having the entire family going to the same dental office makes things easy. Kids and parents alike go to the same location, and you’ll also be able to get most of your dental services all at one place. One provider usually offers the work you need, from cleanings to fillings to extractions.

Quality care
When you find a family dentist who you like and trust, you will be confident that you are receiving quality care all in one place. There won’t be a need to change from one professional to another, not knowing the level of care you’ll be getting at each type of provider. Find one qualified family dental practice you like and stick with it for your whole family.

Flexible service
Many family dentists take into account the busy schedules of their patients. These practices often provide expanded office hours, and sometimes even appointments on weekends. It is not uncommon for family dentists to offer 24-hour emergency service too. When you have an accident at an inconvenient time of day, or a severe toothache that sneaks up during the night, some family dentists are available to help right away.

Dentistry for all ages
Seeing a dentist who treats patients of all ages means that young children can go for even their first checkup, teens can be evaluated for orthodontic needs, and adults can seek cosmetic treatment such as teeth whitening. Older family members can be seen for dentures or other restorations, and root canals are an option as well. It is a great benefit of family dentistry to be able to go to one location and dentist for the needs of every family member.

 

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What Happens after Oral Surgery?

A need for oral surgery may arise from things like disease, trauma, or cosmetic improvements. No matter the reason for oral surgery, it is helpful to know what to expect afterwards.

Instructions

Your dentist or oral surgeon should provide a list of instructions to follow after surgery. The specific directions depends on the type of surgery you have, but often it includes guidelines for what you can and can’t do, how to handle pain or other side effects, oral hygiene directions, and what might warrant a call to the dentist. You should follow the instructions carefully for the best surgery results.

Pain

Some amount of pain is normal after just about any type of surgery, and oral surgery is no exception. Once the anesthesia has dissipated, you might experience some level of pain. Most of the time, it is mild and can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen. Warm or cold compresses may also be helpful, so ask your dentist if that is appropriate. If pain lingers after a couple of days following surgery, consult your dentist for advice.

Bleeding

Light bleeding is also normal after oral surgery. Avoid touching the area with your fingers or tongue, so that it can clot properly. If bleeding persists longer than your dentist expected, call to ask if anything should be of concern.

Swelling

Initial swelling is to be expected in many types of oral surgery. The area may look puffier than usual or you might have limited movement. To decrease swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. Do not apply heat, because that can make swelling worse. It is not unusual for swelling to last a few days after surgery.