When you lose even one tooth, you increase the odds that 20 percent of subsequent teeth will be lost in the next five to eight years. Missing teeth can create dental health problems, cause chewing difficulties, and make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. With modern dental therapies, your dentist can restore the strength and beauty of your smile.
Replacement options include:
Fixed bridgework
By permanently joining to remaining teeth, a fixed bridge closes the gap left by a missing tooth, or teeth. With a bridge, the false tooth is fused between two porcelain crowns. The entire bridge is cemented into place and cannot be removed once it is in your mouth.
Dentures and Partials
If you have lost all your teeth, you could replace them with a full set of dentures. These rows of prosthetic teeth attach to a gum-colored base. Dentures are secured either by suction or adhesive creams. When you still have teeth left, the dentist may suggest a partial denture, which fits into the open space like a puzzle piece and completes your smile.
Dental Implants
The closest prosthetic to nature, a dental implant contains a small, metal post that acts as an artificial tooth root and a prosthetic crown. One implant post is inserted into each empty socket by a skilled surgeon. Your mouth will need about three to six months for healing. During this time, the bone will fuse to the posts in a process called osseointegration. When the time is right, your dentist will affix the permanent crowns, creating a solid attractive appearance.
Come in for a consult and see what your dental option are at Dr. Yolanda Cruz dentistry -Toronto Canada Dentist
When you want to snuggle up with your sweetheart or whisper something funny to a friend, bad breath is a problem. While this issue may not kill you, it can put a damper on your social and personal interactions. Typically, bad breath, or halitosis, occurs because food becomes trapped in your mouth. These particles provide a breeding ground for bacteria, which multiply and produce unpleasant odors.
While you can experience bouts of halitosis from certain foods or as a result of a head cold, persistent bad breath usually happens because of underlying issues. Poor oral hygiene, certain medications, dry mouth, tobacco use, and gum disease can all contribute to consistent problems with bad breath. Talk with your dentist if you have concerns about chronic halitosis.
Tips for Fresh Breath
• After each meal, brush teeth and rinse your mouth to remove food particles.
• Apply a few drops of peppermint or tea tree oil to your tongue or toothbrush for fresher breath.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and rinse away excess food.
• Limit alcohol consumption and avoid mouthwashes with alcohol, which dries out your mouth.
• Schedule regular dental appointments so that you stay current with professional cleanings; these visits will also let your dentist look for any problems that may cause halitosis.
• Stop smoking so that you don’t have to deal with tar and nicotine build up.
• Take the time to brush your tongue because the little hairs on its surface can easily trap bacteria.
• To increase saliva production, chew sugarless gum.
• When you snack, choose foods like celery, carrots, and apples, which help stop plaque development.
Dr. Yolanda Cruz dentistry – Tips for Halitosis– Toronto Canada Dentist
From a young age, we learn about the significance and benefits of fluoride. Usually, this message is conveyed through concerned parents, who hear it from their children’s dentist. While the focus tends to be on children and teens, fluoride is beneficial to people of all ages. Clinically proven to help prevent tooth decay, fluoride has been added to drinking water supplies in many places to help keep teeth healthy.
Many dental practitioners emphasize the need to treat younger patients with fluoride, but research is indicating that adults may need fluoride as well. As we age, it is critical that we protect our teeth and gums. Missing teeth can create oral health issues as well as general health concerns.
The benefits of fluoride for adult patients include:
Strengthening enamel
Though fluoride is found in toothpaste and in many water supplies, fluoride treatments can help lower your risks for cavities by fortifying tooth enamel.
Decreasing sensitivity
If you have issues with tooth sensitivity, fluoride can reduce your teeth’s permeability, which can ease your discomfort.
Lessening the chances of decalcification
Topical fluoride application can build up areas where teeth are breaking down. Cavities start with decalcification, so preventing it from happening will keep your smile healthy.
Protecting against side effects of dry mouth
When you have dry mouth, your chances of tooth decay are higher. Daily fluoride treatments may reduce the odds of cavity development.
Safeguarding dental work
Teeth with fillings and crowns can be at risk for further decay, but fluoride treatments can offer added protection.
Floride treatments at Dr. Yolanda Cruz Dentistry – Toronto Canada Dentist
As a society, we tend to focus on ways to improve our overall wellbeing. When it comes to health and prevention, many people forget about their teeth and gums. Maintaining good oral health impacts your quality of life. Taking a proactive approach to dental health can prevent problems such as gum disease, tooth loss, extensive decay, and oral cancer.
To protect teeth and gums, visit your dentist for twice yearly checkups. During the appointments ask your dentist these questions:
How is my dental health?
Your exams will give the dentist a clear picture of your teeth and gums. After finishing the evaluation, your dentist should review the findings with you so that you know the status of your oral health. If the dentist finds any problems, he or she can make treatment recommendations and explain the plans in complete detail.
What can I do to improve my dental health?
Because each person’s mouth is different, you need your dentist to offer specific instructions. For instance, you may need to brush longer, floss more often, or switch toothbrushes to receive the maximum benefits.
Can you make a difference in my oral health?
From bad breath treatments to veneers to night guards for teeth grinding, your dentist can address issues and enhance your smile. Let your dentist know about any concerns or questions you have.
Is there any information you need from my doctor or vice versa?
Changes in the mouth can indicate other health problems, so find out if your dentist thinks you need to share details with your doctor. At the same time, you should let your dentist know about any chronic conditions or changes to your medication regimens.
We care about your oral health at Dr. Yolanda Cruz dentistry – Toronto Canada Dentist
When you wear braces, you probably can’t wait for the day your orthodontist takes them off and you can flaunt a beautiful, straight smile. Orthodontic treatment, however, doesn’t end with braces. Most of the time, your orthodontist will fit you for a retainer, an oral appliance that keeps teeth from shifting back into an improper position. You may wear a removable retainer as well as one that stays inside your mouth.
Initially, you will need to wear the removable retainer for most of the day. Over time, your orthodontist will watch your teeth and may lessen the number of hours you wear the appliance. For children and teenagers, many orthodontists recommend wearing a retainer until their early 20s. To keep your retainer in good condition, follow these helpful hints:
• Remove your retainer when you eat, brush, or floss.
• Clean your retainer with warm, soapy water or toothpaste after each use.
• Put your retainer in a safe place when you aren’t wearing the appliance. People often remove their retainers at restaurants and place them in napkins, which can result in expensive replacement costs.
• Carry your retainer case with you so that you have it available at all times. Never leave the case on a table, bench, or counter.
• Keep your retainer away from pets or small children.
• When you participate in sports, take your retainer out and wear a mouth guard during games.
• If a wire breaks or something else happens to your retainer, don’t try to fix it yourself. Contact your orthodontist immediately.
Orthodontic treatment at Dr. Yolanda Cruz dentistry – Toronto Canada Dentist
When you have regular dental visits, you help keep your teeth and gums in good condition. These appointments enable your dentist to maintain a watchful eye on your oral health. Even with routine checkups, people still develop problems. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your dentist right away:
Changes in gum tissue
Swollen, bleeding gums are generally the first signs of gum disease, or periodontal disease. Caused by bacteria under the gum line, periodontal disease can lead to pain, gum recession, and even tooth loss without proper treatment.
White spots on your teeth
In the early stages, decay can present as white spots on your teeth, a sign that the hard enamel is dissolving because of acid produced by bacteria. With kids, white spots can point out an overexposure to fluoride.
Increased sensitivity in your teeth
Any time you feel sensitivity to hot or cold, you should mention it to your dentist. Often, sensitive teeth are an indication of tooth decay or other issues such as bruxism, or teeth grinding.
Pain from teeth or gums
Persistent pain can indicate a serious issue. Sometimes, your tooth may become sensitive to touch or develop a pocket of pus near the gum line. Even if the pain subsides, you should call the dentist because you could have an infection inside your tooth.
Color or texture changes in the mouth
As you brush, spend a little time looking at your cheeks, tongue and underneath your tongue to see if you notice anything unusual. White or red spots as well as any lumps should be investigated by your dentist. Often, oral cancer starts with these mild symptoms, so don’t ignore potential signs.
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