Are you somewhat turned around these days when it comes to figuring out how to make your smile look much better? Don’t worry – it is easy to feel drawn in many different directions, particularly when you are bombarded with opinions online – and opinions from friends and family, too. The good news is that you can feel certain when you seek advice from our practice that you’re getting just the facts. When discussing ways to improve your smile’s beauty – such as relying on cosmetic dentistry – the difference between fact and fiction can be difficult to discern. Let us help.
Can a Cavity Cause Tooth Loss?
If you’ve experienced a cavity before, then chances are that you’re familiar with the toothache that often accompanies it. Caused by tooth decay, which is a bacterial infection, cavities are small holes that form in a tooth’s main structure, called dentin. When infected, dentin sends pain signals to the nerves at the center of the tooth, in a chamber called the pulp, alerting the patient of dental trouble. In most cases, a toothache should prompt you to seek immediate professional care, and your dentist can treat the cavity and restore your tooth to good health. If allowed to run rampant, however, then a cavity can consume the entire tooth, potentially causing tooth loss. (more…)
Would You Know if You Have Sleep Apnea?
The first step to resolving an issue is to acknowledge that there is one. But with obstructive sleep apnea, patients often spend years not knowing that anything is wrong, and the collective effects on their health can be overwhelming by the time they seek treatment.
Yet, the problem is that patients don’t often recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea (like excessive snoring), or don’t realize that such symptoms indicate a serious problem. To know if you have sleep apnea, your best chances lie in seeking a professional diagnosis from your dentist, especially if you snore consistently. (more…)
You Need Root Canal Therapy – True or False?
For many patients, the thought of needing root canal therapy isn’t exactly a pleasant one. But if you’ve been told that you do, then procrastinating may make your condition worse. The truth is that root canal therapy is vital to saving teeth that have become severely infected, or that have been damaged enough to expose their inner tissues. The more you know about root canal therapy, the more you will realize its importance, as well as the fact that you have nothing to worry about during the procedure. (more…)
Enamel – How Teeth Protect Themselves
It’s the second-most resilient substance on earth, next to diamonds, and yet all that is needed to compromise your tooth enamel is neglect. Despite its incredible strength when healthy, tooth enamel is constantly under attack by bacteria and food particles in your mouth. As your teeth’s main line of defense against infection and damage, protecting your tooth enamel is one of the focal points of keeping your smile strong, healthy, and beautiful. (more…)
What Makes Dental Plaque Dangerous?
The uncomfortable feeling of plaque building and sticking to your teeth should prompt you to brush your teeth often. However, the most disturbing thing about dental plaque isn’t how it feels, but rather what it hides—specifically, over 600 different kinds of oral bacteria. A few of these strains are particularly worrisome because they can produce harmful substances that lead to tooth decay and gum disease, both of which could lead to tooth loss, in extreme cases. Understanding plaque and oral bacteria, and the signs that they have become a threat, will help you better protect your smile from their destructive influences. (more…)
The Cosmetic Smile Quiz!
There are few feelings that can compare to having pride in your smile. As you show it, and see your smile reflected in the smiles of those around you, your own self confidence can grow, which can make you even more proud of your smile.
However, if you’re unhappy with your smile’s appearance, then we can help restore the feeling with an appropriate cosmetic dentistry treatment, developed according to your specific needs and preferences. To find out how, take our short cosmetic smile quiz below! (more…)
Dentures (and Partials) Made Just for You
Aside from the embarrassment of missing teeth, the gaps left by lost teeth can negatively affect the function of your mouth. Biting, chewing, and speaking clearly can become difficult as your tooth alignment is altered, and serious oral health issues can often follow. For instance, the teeth that remain will naturally shift in an attempt to close the gap and pick up the slack, which can contribute to misaligned and damaged teeth.
Fortunately, these issues can largely be avoided by replacing missing teeth. Whether you need to replace multiple teeth, or all of your teeth, modern complete and partial dentures can be custom-crafted to specifically meet your needs. (more…)
Do You Really Need Tooth Extraction?
While the goal of keeping your smile clean and healthy is, in large part, to preserve all of your natural teeth, there may come a time when you have to contemplate tooth extraction. For many patients, the thought of losing the tooth can be daunting. However, in some cases, it may be the best option for preserving your smile.
Because losing a tooth can affect the rest of your oral health, your dentist should only recommend tooth extraction when the tooth cannot be saved with restorative treatment. Afterwards, your dentist might also suggest replacing the tooth to restore your smile, preferably with a lifelike dental implant and crown. (more…)
How Do You Avoid Tooth Decay?
At some point, nearly all of us will experience the discomfort of a cavity. However, you may be surprised to learn how big an impact preventive dentistry can have in avoiding them. With the right steps, you can help avoid tooth decay and protect your smile from oral health complications.
