How careful are you to avoid cavities? Are you confident that you are brushing and flossing effectively? What kind of harm could your diet be doing to your smile? Without routine preventive dental checkups, it can be hard for patients to know what kind of cavity risk they really face. Of course, these visits are more than just a chance to hear your dentist’s assessment of your smile. You also receive an important professional cleaning, and your dentist can arrange for restorative dental care if a problem is identified. These appointments certainly matter, but even with checkups, your best oral care involves good care at home. (more…)
Having A Dental Bridge Put In Place
Having a dental bridge put in place means enjoying a life-like answer to tooth loss, and addressing oral health complications stemming from tooth loss. With a pair of dental crowns – one on each side of your pontic – the bridge is locked into its appropriate spot. The pontic, or pontics, will look like natural teeth, and are built to last. Without the placement of a prosthetic, you may be self-conscious about how you look, and find it is harder to bite and chew normally. Once a secure prosthetic is provided, you can feel more like you have your full smile once again. (more…)
Recognizing The Value Of A Routine Dental Visit
Are you aware of why regular dental visits can be so crucial in your efforts to sustain good oral health? If you want to make sure to avoid problems like tooth decay, especially serious tooth decay, routine checkups are vital. The cleaning your teeth undergo during each of your appointments will protect you against harmful plaque and tartar. The removal of tartar is especially important, as the substance will resist at-home cleaning measures. Of course, the examination your dentist provides is also important to your overall care. These reviews can catch problems in earlier stages, ensuring the treatment you need is less involved than if you had left a problem to continue developing. (more…)
Can A Filling Do Enough To Support My Tooth After A Cavity?
A cavity will do damage to a tooth that needs to be addressed by your dentist. The first step in cavity treatment is to remove the decayed area, and stop it from continuing to spread. After this occurs, your dentist is tasked with addressing the loss of material, as the damage is irreversible. Not every tooth will gain the support it needs from a tooth filling. If the cavity was more consequential, the damage can simply be more than a filling is prepared to offset. However, if your dentist determines that it is appropriate, they can use a filling to act as a discreet, effective restoration. (more…)
How A Dental Cleaning Eliminates Tartar
Tartar is one tough substance. When plaque forms, and is not removed in time, it hardens into tartar. While your daily oral care can help eliminate plaque from your teeth, tartar can persist through your brushing and flossing attempts. One reason routine dental checkups matter is because you undergo a professional cleaning, where tartar can be removed. Without that cleaning session, the continued presence of tartar will increase your risks for tooth decay, and for developing gingivitis, which can worsen to periodontitis, a serious periodontal issue. It is recommended that you come in for a dental appointment every six months. That being said, if your dentist feels you should operate on a different schedule based on your individual needs, they will discuss it with you. (more…)
What Bruxism And TMJ Problems Can Do To Your Smile
Without intervention, both bruxism and TMJ dysfunction can cause real trouble for your oral health, and affect your daily life. Bruxism refers to a habit of clenching your jaw, a habit that can be especially frequent while you sleep. TMJ dysfunction refers to problems with your jaw joints that can cause functional issues, and leave you in pain. With your dentist’s help, you can address these concerns with a special oral appliance, and prevent dental problems related to these issues from causing more worries. However, if you ignore the need for treatment, you can suffer regular discomfort. The impact of bruxism on your teeth can also lead to damage calling for restorative dental care. (more…)
Will A Dental Crown Alter My Smile?
You need to be able to count on your dental restoration. Restorative dental work is important for making sure your tooth is fully protected after it is compromised. This can mean responding to the loss of material because of decay, but it can also involve protecting a damaged tooth after an accident. Many people who receive restorative care will have a dental crown placed over a tooth. Your crown will be prominently featured, as it covers the entire area of your tooth above the gum line. However, thanks to modern, cosmetically-friendly materials like porcelain and zirconia, your crown does not have to alter your smile. That being said, you might find that your smile looks better after covering a problem tooth! (more…)
