If you have suffered tooth loss, you are likely already familiar with the frustrations and limitations an incomplete smile can pose. There is the obvious cosmetic impact – you might be afraid to really smile, because you are worried about what people will think. There can also be functional difficulties. Different issues can cause people to lose teeth, but the leading cause for adults is connected to periodontal health. Simply put, advanced gum disease can rob your teeth of support, and leave you with gaps of lost teeth. Prosthetic dental work can help you recover what you have lost. Your dentist can provide a solution for an isolated loss, or supply restorations for serious tooth loss. (more…)
Should You Receive A Scaling/Root Planing?
If you see signs that you are starting to experience gum disease, it may be time for you to talk to your dentist about a scaling/root planing. If you are unsure of what can indicate gum disease, look for changes in your periodontal tissue. If you see your gum line is receding, or you notice redness or swelling, these could indicate an infection. A tendency for your gums to bleed when you go about brushing and flossing can also indicate an issue. A scaling/root planing involves a deep cleaning of your teeth under your gum line, and a polishing of the surfaces, so bacteria has a harder time taking hold in the future. (more…)
Preventing Oral Health Issues With Regular Dental Care
Why is regular preventive dental care so crucial to your oral health? Is there any harm in skipping the occasional routine dental checkup, or in forgetting to brush or floss every once in a while? Regular dental care helps you fight the threat of tooth decay and gum disease by eliminating the oral bacteria and food debris in your mouth. These harmful agents can potentially harm your teeth throughout the day. When you miss brushing and flossing, you can allow plaque to harden and form tartar. When you skip dental appointments, your dentist is not afforded the opportunity to catch signs of dental damage, or symptoms of gingivitis. (more…)
Why Dental Crowns Are Made With Different Material Types
Any dental crown, regardless of its material type, will have the same major goal – to protect and support a vulnerable tooth. Patients need dental crowns when they have undergone significant restorative dental work on a tooth. The placement of a crown can also be a response to a physical injury, or as a means to protect a tooth when a dental filling has failed to offer the proper assistance. The reason your dentist offers different material types for your crown is because a crown could face different demands, based on what tooth is being treated. While some teeth demand the best possible durability, you might prioritize appearance if the tooth in question is more visible. (more…)
Is A Scaling/Root Planing In Your Future?
The oral bacteria gathering in your mouth can harm more than just your teeth. Patients can develop gingivitis when some of those bacteria build up at your gum line, and infect your periodontal tissue. By having your dentist perform a scaling/root planing, you can put a stop to this condition, so that gingivitis does not progress into more serious gum disease. That prevention is important to your long-term oral health. Without intervention, gum disease can grow more serious, and its effects can be more severe. You might not realize it, but advanced gum disease is actually the most common cause of tooth loss for adults. (more…)