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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Take a drink of your refreshing cold beverage, delve into your favorite flavor of ice cream, or have a sip of the perfect coffee concoction. But then, a hundred miniature daggers stab your teeth!! If this is your experience when eating foods that you used to enjoy, you are suffering with overly sensitive teeth.
Your dentist will be able to determine the reasons behind your tooth sensitivity. Often your enamel is worn, exposing the nerves on your teeth and increasing the sensation of anything that comes into contact with them. There are treatments that should help reduce your discomfort and allow you to eat the foods you like. While waiting to see your dentist, here are some things you can try at home to relieve your sensitivity.
Switch toothpaste
Visit the oral products section of your drugstore, and you will find numerous choices of toothpaste to help reduce sensitivity. Try switching to one of the toothpaste options designed for that purpose, or ask your dentist for further toothpaste recommendations.
Watch what you eat
Certain foods trigger discomfort more than others. For example, acidic foods and spicy items tend to hit the tooth nerves. Extreme temperatures of icy cold or piping hot foods and drinks can also cause pain. Dentists advise that you keep a food diary to notice patterns of foods that cause sensitivity so that you’ll be able to cut down on those items until your teeth have improved.
Change toothbrushes
Brushing your teeth can be painful if your teeth are overly sensitive, but it’s not advisable to discontinue brushing. Instead, look for a toothbrush designed for sensitive teeth and brush as gently as possible. Also, remember to floss even though it can sometimes be uncomfortable.
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If you’ve ever noticed that your gums are swollen, red, or even bleeding, your body is giving you a sign that trouble is brewing in your mouth. You should pay attention to this warning, because irritated gums can lead to serious problems like tooth loss. It’s important to know what might be causing your swollen gums, and what you can do to return your mouth to normal.
Poor dental hygiene is the most common cause of swollen gums. Inadequate or harsh brushing can lead to gum irritation, and so can rough flossing. The most common reasons that dentists find for swollen, irritated gums include:
• Gingivitis (gum disease)
• Canker sores
• Bacterial infections
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy or puberty
• Dry mouth
• Periodontitis (severe gum disease affecting teeth and bones)
• Tobacco use
• Poorly fitting dentures or other appliances
• Fungal or viral infections
• Poor dental hygiene
• Cancer or other diseases
There are steps you can take to reduce swelling and aid the overall health of your gums. For instance, if you treat gingivitis early, it can be reversed before worsening and eventually causing tooth loss. First, choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and use gentle, circular motions on your teeth and gums. Brushing in a back-and-forth motion can irritate and damage your gums. Gently floss every day, and ask your dentist about using a mouthwash to reduce bacteria in your mouth. Make sure you schedule an appointment to see your dentist when you notice your gums are irritated and bothersome, because it’s best to identify the problem and get treatment before your condition gets worse.
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You might think your smile is a lost cause. Maybe you believe it’s beyond repair with gaps, discoloration, chips, and other problems. It might be time to turn to dentistry for help. There are likely very effective and affordable solutions to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Here are some common dental concerns that can be addressed through dentistry.
What if I have missing teeth?
Having gaps in your smile is probably the most embarrassing dental problems you can have. Whether it’s due to an accident or tooth decay, the desire to restore your smile is the same. Your dentist can help you by offering crowns or bridges, or using dental implants to create artificial teeth.
What if my teeth are yellow?
Cosmetic dentistry offers various teeth whitening solutions to brighten your smile. Some options are available for use at home, while other treatments are performed in your dentist’s office. The whitening techniques done by a professional are usually stronger and work faster and often more dramatically than products to be used at home.
What if I have chips or stains?
Cosmetic solutions such as porcelain veneers work well to hide tooth problems like chips and stubborn stains. Veneers are permanently applied over the fronts of your teeth, and provide a beautiful and natural-looking way to hide tooth imperfections. An alternative to veneers is bonding, a procedure in which a dental composite that looks like enamel is applied to a tooth and then sculpted. This restoration blends into the rest of your tooth to produce a healthy, sparkling smile.
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In many households, the bedtime routine is no fun. One of the trickiest parts for some parents is getting their kids to brush their teeth. However, it’s not a part of your child’s routine that should be skipped. To help make taking care of their teeth fun for children, here are some ideas for parents.
Toothbrushes
Provide your kids with fun toothbrushes! By choosing a brush decorated with their favorite character or color, your children will think of their toothbrush more like a toy than a dental tool. Consider getting more than one toothbrush, so each night they can choose the one they want to “play” with at the time.
Toothpaste
Children are picky about their toothpaste flavors just like their foods. Select toothpaste that you know your kids will like. Some of the flavor options include bubble gum and fruits, as well as the standby mint.
Floss
If they start flossing at a young age, your kids will likely view it as part of their oral hygiene routine all of their life. Try using some of the fun flossing tools on the market today, because they may help get your child interested in flossing. There are many colors and shapes to choose from, so keep trying until you find one that motivates your child.
Rewards
Enticing your children with rewards is often an easy way to encourage them to perform a task without arguing. Consider making a rewards chart and giving them a sticker each time they brush and floss. By the end of a week filled with good dental hygiene, a special reward will await them!
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You might be surprised to learn that even though dental care has improved over the years, it is still not uncommon for people to lose teeth. Often tooth loss is related to decay, gum disease, or trauma. One effective way to restore your smile is to have dental implants.
The purpose of a dental implant is to replace the roots of your missing tooth, providing a strong foundation for an artificial tooth. Your oral surgeon will match your natural tooth color as closely as possible and because implants are surgically placed into your jawbone, they work just like real teeth. There is very little pain during the procedure because anesthetic is used; many patients compare getting implants to having a tooth extracted. Over-the-counter medications are usually sufficient to relieve any discomfort afterwards.
An obvious major advantage of dental implants is that your appearance will improve with our newly restored smile. Also, they improve your self-confidence. Since they are so much like your natural teeth and they blend with your jaw, they ultimately become permanent. Therefore, they stay in place and do not affect your ability to eat or speak. Dental implants can also improve the general health of your mouth.
There are some people who are not ideal candidates for dental implants. Heart disease patients, smokers, and diabetics may not be advised for this treatment because of their health issues. Consult your dentist to see if implants might be right for you. If so, this might be exactly what you’ve been searching for to get you smiling again.
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