Did you know that you could break a tooth biting into a soft sandwich? It has happened. What if it were a chicken bone? Imagine the damage that could be done. Or what if you play hockey and you took an elbow to the mouth. Accidents happen and we are never really prepared. What if your tooth broke, but the filling stayed intact? Weird things can happen. If there is no pain should you run to the dentist? What if it’s a three day weekend? Can you wait a few days? What is a dental emergency?
Don’t Be Partial
It’s easy to be partial toward something. You can be partial toward a color, food, person, store, name brand, product, or even a dental treatment. Are you partial toward dentures, veneers, bridges, or…partials? Do you know the difference between a full denture and a partial denture? A full denture is treatment for people who are missing all of their teeth in their upper or lower arch or both. A partial, however, can replace one tooth, a few teeth that, or several. Don’t be partial until you learn about partials.
How Dentures Are Made
Most everybody is familiar with dentures. If a family member doesn’t have them, then you probably have seen them on a TV sitcom. Even the children’s cartoon Rugrats had an episode about the grandpa’s dentures. Dentures take a bad rap and are often the butt of jokes, but in reality they are an important dental asset. Without dentures, edentulous (fully toothless) patients would have difficulty eating healthy foods. They would be embarrassed to smile, or to even leave the house. Dentures are a physical and psychological remedy. Do you ever wonder how dentures are made?
Which Type Of Crown Is Best For You?
Dental crowns can be fabricated from several different types of materials. Each material has its advantages and is used for particular reasons. If you require crown treatment, your dentist will discuss the types of crowns available and what they are best used for. Factors to consider include strength, durability, aesthetics, extent of the treatment, and cost. Below we list the types of crowns and their favored treatment modalities so we can help you decide which type of crown is best for you.
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Learn About Dental Bridges By Taking Our Quiz
Your dentist is highly educated and experienced regarding how to perform various dental procedures and what problems each type of procedure is for. They will give you their advice and share their expertise, but the decision is ultimately yours. That’s why it is good to know as much about your options as possible. Reading our dental blogs before speaking to the dentist is one way to learn about treatment options. Our blogs can give you an idea of what is available, what to expect, how the procedure is done, how long it takes, and more. Today you can learn about dental bridges by taking our quiz.
Composite vs. Amalgam: How Much Do You Know?
When you open your mouth wide to laugh or yawn do you see fillings? Having fillings is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact it is common. By common that means ninety percent of the population has at least one tooth filled and probably more. Are your fillings composite or amalgam? Do you know the difference? One is white and one is silver. Do you know which one is which? Find out by taking our test Composite vs. Amalgam: How Much Do You Know?
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How Much Do You Know About Prophies?
When you were a child did you think a dental cleaning was simply an elaborate teeth whitening? It certainly has an elaborate name. A dental cleaning is called a prohylaxis. Many children probably believe that their dentist is simply brushing their teeth in a fancy way. They like the “tickle toothbrush” which is more fun than their manual one. Do you know what a dental cleaning is for? A dental cleaning can remove some teeth staining but it is not about teeth whitening. Take our quiz below to find out how much you know about prophies.
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Your Dental Exam Should Include Your Tongue
Most people think that a dental exam only concerns their teeth. However, a thorough exam should include your tongue. Your tongue can speak volumes (pardon the pun) about your oral and even your overall health. Your tongue is a common place to find oral cancer. Because your dentist looks in your mouth at least twice a year, it stands to reason that he or she would be the perfect practitioner to monitor for oral cancer. That’s why your dental exam should include your tongue.
Preventing Future Problems With Preventive Dentistry
Your dental checkups are important. Maybe when things get too busy, or your finances are tight, you are tempted to skip them or put them off. However, attending your dental checkups every six months helps prevent future–more complicated and expensive–dental problems. Maybe it seems as if your hygienist is not doing much during your appointments, or maybe it’s because he or she is doing too much (scraping, that is!) that you don’t like going, but whatever your hygienist is doing is important to your dental health. Future problems can be prevented with preventive dentistry.
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Earlier Use Of Fluoride For Children Recommended
Regardless of the fact that the safety of fluoride has been consistently questioned, especially in young children, fluoride has been proven to help fight cavities. Research has also proven fluoride safe and effective for children and adults. Today, tooth decay is on the rise globally and to fight this epidemic the ADA has released a new statement recommending earlier use of fluoride for children.
