Maintaining healthy teeth and gums and preventing oral health problems are important reasons for choosing a dentist and going for checkups twice a year. It may seem a bit overwhelming to select a dentist because there are so many options, but don’t neglect this task because your mouth will be at risk if you don’t see a dentist regularly. Ask friends and family for references, and search the internet for options. Then it’s up to you to make your selection. Here are some tips to consider as you choose.
Services
Make sure that the dentist you choose offers the services you desire. For example, if you’re considering some type of cosmetic procedure, find a dentist who performs that in addition to other regular services such as cleanings.
Experience
Ask about the dentist’s experience in performing the services you are interested in, as well as any specific training that will benefit you.
Location
It’s always smart to have a dentist who is convenient to your home or business, so that you will be able to visit the office without going to a lot of extra time and effort to get there. You will be more likely to make and keep your appointments.
Office
Visit the dental office to see the overall appearance of the office and the equipment available, as well as to meet the office staff to make sure you will be comfortable with their care.
Emergency hours
Find out if the dental office offers any emergency services in case you have a sudden, unexpected problem. Ask about late and weekend hours, or other options they might provide.
Insurance
If you have dental insurance, confirm that the dentist accepts your coverage.
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Do you wake up during the night or in the morning feeling like your mouth is a desert? Do you feel parched during the day? These are signs that you have an excessively dry mouth, which is not only bothersome but also bad for your teeth and gums. Here are some steps you can take to prevent or deal with symptoms of dry mouth.
Dental checkups
Maintain regular checkups and cleanings at your dentist office. Tell your dentist if your mouth often feels dry. It may be related to medications that you are taking, so discuss these with your dentist or doctor to see if there are alternatives.
Saliva production
There are a number of over-the-counter saliva substitutes and oral moisturizers that may help moisten your mouth. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free mints also promotes saliva production. Look for those containing the sweetener xylitol, which has been shown to help prevent tooth decay.
Water consumption
Drink plenty of water throughout the day and with meals. Fluoridated water is ideal because it helps fight cavities along with wetting your mouth. Keep drinking water nearby at all times so that you can take a sip any time your mouth gets dry.
Brush
Keep up with proper dental hygiene, including brushing with fluoride toothpaste. It may also help to use a fluoride rinse, but avoid mouth rinses containing alcohol because it can dry out your mouth even more.
Add moisture
Try using a humidifier at night while you sleep to increase the amount of moisture in the air that you breathe.
Things to avoid
Some products are known to increase dry mouth symptoms. Avoid tobacco products of any kind, as well as alcohol and caffeine. Drinks and foods high in sugar, like soft drinks and candy, are also linked to dry mouth. Limit salty or spicy foods, because these can cause be irritating when your mouth is overly dry.
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If you’ve noticed the bones inside your mouth growing unexpectedly, you are not alone. Called dental tori, this harmless bone growth can happen on the roof of your mouth, inside your lower jaw, or on the cheek side of your upper molars. Before you jump to conclusions with concerns of oral cancer, set your mind at ease by learning more about dental tori.
Since tori grow slowly and vary in size, they don’t usually affect eating or speaking. You may not even notice you have them until your dentist points it out during an exam. Symptoms of tori that may alert you to them is irritation from some foods, interference with dentures, and occasional interference with speech if the tori are large. Your dentist can diagnose tori by examination and sometimes X-rays. A biopsy might be recommended if the tori is growing very large or in an unusual location.
The good news is that tori are not cancerous, and do not develop into cancer. They are simply normal bone covered with normal tissue. However, it’s advisable to ask your dentist about any growths you find in your mouth just to make sure it’s nothing serious. Tori are bone growths that can’t be prevented, and will not go away without surgery. The most common reason people have tori removed is when dentures are needed. An oral surgeon often can remove tori in an office procedure. Fortunately, most people with dental tori live with them for many years without any problems at all.
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You may have heard the term “meth mouth” in the news or in conversation, but you might not know what it is. It is related to the abuse of the illegal drug methamphetamine, which is a concern especially in rural areas and in the midwestern, southwestern, and western regions of the United States. Since drug usage continues to be an ongoing problem, you should be familiar with the harmful effects that can occur from abusing methamphetamines.
What are methamphetamines?
This type of drug is a strong stimulant that affects a person’s central nervous system. Usage can cause nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, hyperthermia, and permanent brain damage. Methamphetamine abuse is also linked to rampant tooth decay, which is the reason for the term “meth mouth.”
How does it affect the mouth?
Meth mouth refers to the devastating damage to the user’s oral health from abusing the highly addictive drug methamphetamine. Teeth often become stained, blackened, rotten, and literally can crumble from long term use of this drug. Many times, teeth can’t be saved and must be removed. Experts suggest that this extensive tooth decay results from the physical and psychological changes of drug use that cause dry mouth and poor dental hygiene.
Why are methamphetamines especially damaging to the mouth?
The “high” that users get from methamphetamines lasts longer than the effects from many other drugs. For example, the effects of methamphetamines last for twelve hours, while cocaine only lasts for one hour. This often results in meth users ignoring their oral hygiene for long periods of time. Also, while under the effects of the drug, users tend to crave sugary carbonated drinks or grind their teeth. These habits both increase risks of damage to teeth and gums.
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Sedation is used by dentists to lower or eliminate pain during a procedure. Your dentist will discuss with you which technique might be best for your situation. There are several different types of sedation that you should know about before making a decision.
Inhaled minimal sedation
This common type of dental sedation involves breathing in nitrous oxide. It is a mild anesthetic that is mixed with oxygen for you to inhale before staring a dental procedure. It takes effect in a short time, and the extent of the sedation depends on how much is inhaled and each patient’s reaction to it. Inhaled minimal sedation reduces pain during a procedure, but allows you to return home immediately afterwards.
Oral sedation
Pills are given to you that cause your body to relax. The dentist usually asks you to take the prescription sedatives in advance of treatment, so they have time to take effect before the procedure. Different drugs have varying levels of sedation, from mild sedatives to stronger drugs for more aggressive sedation. This type of sedation is popular because it is cost effective and offers a high level of control over the sedation.
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In the past several decades, dentistry has come along way. Patients can receive high quality care and beautiful smiles with little pain. The materials used create natural-looking restorations that offer superior strength and function. Learn more about how the following innovations have made a positive impact on the dental world.
Air abrasion
Like a sandblaster that takes graffiti off a wall, air abrasion removes cavities without the use of a drill. The tool blows a powerful stream of aluminum oxide particles out of the tip onto the tooth, which blasts away the cavity. Usually, patients don’t even need anesthesia with the air abrasion procedure.
DIAGNOdent
A small laser instrument, DIAGNOdent painlessly discovers areas of hidden decay. Because DIAGNOdent can identify dental caries before it destroys healthy tooth structure, dentists can strengthen the tooth and prevent damage from occurring.
Oraverse
Nobody likes the annoying numbness that Novocain produces. Oraverse is an anesthesia reversal agent that shortens the duration that the medication lasts. In stead of taking three to six hours for normal function to return, Oraverse cuts the time in half.
Digital X-rays
To minimize the levels of radiation patients are exposed to, many dental practices now utilize digital X-rays, which emit up to 80 percent less radiation and generate almost instant results.
Intraoral cameras
These tiny digital devices fit inside your mouth and capture clear images of your oral cavity. Your dentist can then show you an enlarged picture of your smile on a chair side monitor and discuss treatment options.
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