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.
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.
Zoom! Away Those Stains
Everybody wants white teeth. When your teeth aren’t white you feel self-conscious smiling. Smiling is important. Not only does smiling make the people around you feel good, it actually releases chemicals in your own brain that make you feel good! Everybody’s teeth could use whitening from time to time if their teeth are stained or yellowed due to extrinsic factors such as what they eat, drink, and if they use tobacco products. If you hesitate to smile because you feel your teeth aren’t as white as they should be. Zoom! away those stains so you can keep on smiling.
What Is Gum Contouring?
Your gums are as much a part of your smile as your teeth. In fact, when it comes to the art of smile design there are various principles that govern it including the ratio of gingival tissue (your gums) to your teeth. If your gums cover too much of your teeth you are considered as having a gummy smile. Gum contouring can correct that. What is gum contouring? Take our true or false quiz below to find out.
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Chip, Crack, Break…Bond
Did you know that minor imperfections in your teeth can be fixed using dental bonding? It is a non-invasive, easy, and relatively inexpensive procedure. One or two teeth can be bonded in a one-hour visit. If several teeth are being bonded they may be split into two or more visits. Dental bonding can be used to treat a variety of dental issues. If you have pits, chips, cracks, or breaks ask your dentist about dental bonding.
Don’t Women Have Enough Worries?
Women have their fair share of worries. They worry about their kids, their parents, their partners, their jobs, and now they have to worry about their teeth. Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life put her at risk for oral health issues including gum disease. How much do you know about how hormonal fluctuations affect your dental health? They probably didn’t cover that in health class did they? Don’t women have enough worries?
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Placing A Dental Filling
When you consider that most people have more than one cavity in a lifetime and that there are over 300 million people in the United States, that is a lot of dental fillings. The procedure of placing a dental filling is common, to say the least. It can be quick, easy, and painless. The worst part of receiving a filling is the anticipation, and the sound of the drill. Today we outline the steps associated with placing a dental filling.
When Was Your Last Checkup and Cleaning?
Even if you are diligent with your oral hygiene at home you shouldn’t skip your regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. You attend your dental checkups twice a year to prevent dental diseases, decay, or other problems from developing. For most people, two checkups per year are sufficient, but if you have diabetes, are at risk for periodontal disease, or have other special concerns your dentist may recommend more frequent visits. When was your last checkup and cleaning?
After A Tooth Extraction
Tooth extractions are usually easy and quick. Your dentist will give you an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area and then remove the tooth. Simple, right? In the majority of cases it is that simple, but once in a while there may be a complication, and the most common complication after an extraction is dry socket. Strange name? Not when you learn what it is. Let’s talk about why you might develop dry socket after a tooth extraction.
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Why A Bridge May Be Right For You
Implants, dentures, bridges…there are plenty of treatments available if you have a missing tooth, but how do you know which one is right for you? Your dentist will discuss the many options, pros and cons, and cost of each treatment while helping you decide. Implants involve a costly and complex procedure. Dentures can accommodate several missing teeth or edentulism (complete tooth loss). But what if you only have one or two missing teeth? In that case a dental bridge may be right for you.
