Smile Expressions Blog provides information about dentistry, oral maxillofacial surgery, and orthodontics.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
I know, I know… I should brush and floss my teeth every day. But is it really that important?
Your dentist and dental hygienist want to make sure you understand how to keep your gums and teeth clean and healthy. They also want to educate you on different conditions you may or may not have in your mouth. You dental hygienist will take the time to show you correct brushing and flossing techniques and reinforce good oral hygiene habits.
You should brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day. People who eat mini meals throughout the day may be prone to more cavities because they are constantly feeding the bacteria in their mouth. To correctly brush your teeth, hold the tooth brush at a 45 degree angle towards your gums and lightly move your toothbrush in a small, circular stroking motion. You should brush no more than 3 teeth at a time. Brush all sides of the teeth (front, back, and top), the roof of your mouth, and your tongue. This will remove plaque in those areas and will help to decrease bad breath. Brushing should take you at least 2 minutes.
To correctly floss your teeth, hold the floss by wrapping it around your middle fingers and guide the floss between your teeth using your index finger and thumb. This will ensure you are holding the floss tight and it won’t be too loose between your fingers. Gently wrap the floss around each tooth, in a C-shape “hugging” the tooth, and glide the floss up and down the side of the tooth. You will feel a natural stopping point when you are flossing underneath your gums. You want to make sure you are flossing below your gums to ensure you are removing the plaque and bacteria that you cannot see.
Plaque, the sticky substance on your teeth, must be removed within 24 hours. After 24 hours the plaque will harden and turn into calculus, also known as tartar. Tartar is hard and cannot be removed with regular brushing and flossing. You need to see your dental health care provider so he or she can remove it for you.
If tartar is not removed, the bacteria that colonize the tartar will begin to destroy the supporting bone around your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth produce acid as a bi-product. This acid will leach into the surrounding bone and begin to deteriorate the surrounding support of your teeth. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the condition that results from such bone loss. The bone loss will form “pocket” underneath your gums that cannot be cleaned or reached by a toothbrush or floss. This is why it is so important to visit your dental hygienist every 3-4 months if you have been diagnosed with gum disease. Your hygienist has special instruments that can get into those pockets and remove the tartar buildup and bacteria. If you do not clean see your dental hygienist to clean out the pockets, the acid will continue to destroy your bone until the supporting bone is gone. This will result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the number one reason for losing a tooth and it is preventable if you visit your dentist regularly so they can catch the disease early.
Your dentist and dental hygienist are your advocates in oral health care to make sure you keep your teeth for a lifetime. If you are looking for a dentist that will take the time to discuss your dental needs, Dr. Ryanne Hazen and her team are skilled at diagnosing and treating gum disease. Their state-of-the-art facility allows you to have a positive, relaxed experience while enjoying their first class customer service.
http://www.sefamilydental.com/
You should brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day. People who eat mini meals throughout the day may be prone to more cavities because they are constantly feeding the bacteria in their mouth. To correctly brush your teeth, hold the tooth brush at a 45 degree angle towards your gums and lightly move your toothbrush in a small, circular stroking motion. You should brush no more than 3 teeth at a time. Brush all sides of the teeth (front, back, and top), the roof of your mouth, and your tongue. This will remove plaque in those areas and will help to decrease bad breath. Brushing should take you at least 2 minutes.
To correctly floss your teeth, hold the floss by wrapping it around your middle fingers and guide the floss between your teeth using your index finger and thumb. This will ensure you are holding the floss tight and it won’t be too loose between your fingers. Gently wrap the floss around each tooth, in a C-shape “hugging” the tooth, and glide the floss up and down the side of the tooth. You will feel a natural stopping point when you are flossing underneath your gums. You want to make sure you are flossing below your gums to ensure you are removing the plaque and bacteria that you cannot see.
Plaque, the sticky substance on your teeth, must be removed within 24 hours. After 24 hours the plaque will harden and turn into calculus, also known as tartar. Tartar is hard and cannot be removed with regular brushing and flossing. You need to see your dental health care provider so he or she can remove it for you.
If tartar is not removed, the bacteria that colonize the tartar will begin to destroy the supporting bone around your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth produce acid as a bi-product. This acid will leach into the surrounding bone and begin to deteriorate the surrounding support of your teeth. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is the condition that results from such bone loss. The bone loss will form “pocket” underneath your gums that cannot be cleaned or reached by a toothbrush or floss. This is why it is so important to visit your dental hygienist every 3-4 months if you have been diagnosed with gum disease. Your hygienist has special instruments that can get into those pockets and remove the tartar buildup and bacteria. If you do not clean see your dental hygienist to clean out the pockets, the acid will continue to destroy your bone until the supporting bone is gone. This will result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the number one reason for losing a tooth and it is preventable if you visit your dentist regularly so they can catch the disease early.
Your dentist and dental hygienist are your advocates in oral health care to make sure you keep your teeth for a lifetime. If you are looking for a dentist that will take the time to discuss your dental needs, Dr. Ryanne Hazen and her team are skilled at diagnosing and treating gum disease. Their state-of-the-art facility allows you to have a positive, relaxed experience while enjoying their first class customer service.
http://www.sefamilydental.com/
Replacing a Missing Tooth: Which option is better for me?
When a tooth is damaged beyond repair or has a poor prognosis, the main treatment option is to extract, or remove the tooth. Dentists are responsible for explaining to their patients options for replacing this missing tooth and reasons why it should be replaced.
When a tooth is removed, there are four options that the patient has. The first option is to do nothing. While this is the most economical choice, it is not the best choice. After a tooth is removed, the teeth on either side will start to collapse into that space. Also, the tooth in the opposite arch that once rested on that tooth will start to grow into that space. Over time the teeth will shift and the forces on the teeth will be distributed differently causing additional tooth loss and jaw pain, or TMJ. The other negative thing that happens after a tooth is lost is the bone that was surrounding that tooth will start to disappear. Over time, the bone loss will also affect the teeth on either side of the missing tooth and could add to additional tooth loss. It can be emotionally devastating and embarrassing to a person to have a missing tooth that can be seen when they speak or smile. Many people stop smiling to avoid having someone look or stare at them because of the space.
The second option to replace a missing a tooth is to have a removable partial denture. This is a removable appliance that will hook onto the teeth and the patient will take it out at night. This is an economical choice but it is also hard to get used to. A partial is similar to a 3 legged stool; it will rock in the patient’s mouth while the person is eating and speaking. Partials also need to be replaced at least every 7 years. This option also does not address the bone loss that occurs once a tooth is removed. This appliance can, over time, loosen the teeth that it is attached to and contribute to additional tooth loss.
The third option to replace a missing tooth is a bridge. A bridge can be fabricated out of multiple materials, including gold, porcelain, and high noble metals. A bridge is where the dentist crowns the teeth on either side of the missing tooth and connects the teeth together with multiple crowns. This option is good because it is esthetic, quick, and is the “old standard” to replacing a missing tooth. The downfalls to this option are that it doesn’t do anything to counteract the bone loss and you have to remove tooth structure on the adjacent teeth for crowns to be fabricated. Bridges typically last 8-10 years.
The forth, and final option is a dental implant. A dental implant is a man made tooth that replaces the missing tooth. It is three different parts that are placed at different appointments. The first part is the implant body, which acts as the root of your tooth. The second part is the abutment, which is like the tooth portion that is above your gums. The third part is the implant crown, this fits over the abutment very similar to how a crown caps a tooth. This option is the best option. This option tricks the bone into thinking there is a tooth present, and therefore, the bone doesn’t disappear. It also doesn’t require unnecessary tooth destruction to the adjacent teeth to fit new crowns. It is the most esthetic and feels the most natural in a person’s mouth. Implants last longer than any of the other options, at 15 years. The downfall to an implant is that it requires multiple appointments and most dental insurance plans do not cover dental implants.
Over the past decade, implants have fast become the leading option patients and dentists choose to replace a missing tooth. Talk with your dentist today about what option is best for you and your lifestyle. Restore the confidence in your smile and invest in your dental health.
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