Tooth Decay

The number one way to prevent tooth decay is by exercising good oral hygiene habits. affordable dental care,cosmetic dentist,cosmetic dentistry,dental clinic,dental fillings,dental health care,dental treatment,dental whitening,find dentist,free dental care,implant dentist,teeth cleaning,teeth whitening Tooth decay occurs when harmful bacteria build up on the teeth and form layers of plaque, which in turn attacks the enamel on the teeth. There are numerous ways to prevent tooth decay, and everyone can develop better oral hygiene habits beginning with simple steps.

Brushing your teeth is a necessary part of preventing tooth decay. Adults should brush at least twice each day in the morning and at night before bed. Children should also brush regularly, preferably in the morning and before bed, as well as between meals. Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay and keeps your teeth looking nice.

Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every six months at the least. For children’s teeth, use soft bristled toothbrushes that are the right size for their mouth and teeth. Always brush teeth in a circular motion and pay attention to all sides of the teeth. Also, remember to brush your tongue and gums, as this helps remove any bacteria that may be resting there. Regular brushing is the best way to prevent the plaque build-up that causes tooth decay.In addition to brushing, flossing between the teeth should become a regular part of anyone’s oral hygiene regimen. Flossing with either dental floss or dental picks helps to remove bacteria from between the teeth that the bristles of your toothbrush may not reach. Dentists recommend flossing each time your brush, but many would settle for a simple once-a-day commitment. You can also help prevent tooth decay by reducing the amount of sugary foods in your diet. Candy, sweets, and foods high in sugar and starch contribute heavily to the build up of plaque. Reducing the amount of candy and sweets you eat, and always brushing after eating them, can prove very helpful in preventing tooth decay. You should also make it a habit for you and your children to only chew sugar free gum.Experts also recommend a dental check up twice annually. However, many people neglect to visit the dentist due to lack of dental insurance, fear of dentists, or lack of accessibility. While adults might get by with less frequent visits, children should see a dentist for an oral check up and routine cleaning at least once, if not twice, each year. If you are without dental insurance, check with your local health department for assistance or referrals to dentists who are working with them to provide dental care at reduced rates.A dentist can examine your mouth and determine whether you have any problems with your teeth or gums that need to be addressed to prevent tooth decay and extend the life of your natural teeth. For certain people, a dentist might recommend a tooth sealant, especially for people whose mouths produce an excess of bacteria. A dentist can not only help you prevent tooth decay, but can also address other concerns, such as gum disease, abscessed teeth, and other conditions or diseases of the mouth.

Dental Cleaning

A dental cleaning is a fairly routine procedure that is rarely painful. Those who fear dentists or who have marked tooth sensitivity may feel more discomfort than the average patient. As well, those who have not had their teeth cleaned in a long while may expect to experience a longer cleaning, and some additional pulling or scraping to remove plaque from teeth. However, for most, a dental cleaning is more inconvenient than painful.

Once can expect the average dental cleaning to take between 30 minutes to an hour. If the cleaning is part of a yearly check-up, the dentist may also wish to take X-rays at this time to make certain no cavities are present. Usually, a dental hygienist performs most of the dental cleaning. The dentist will normally take a last look, and perhaps perform some difficult plaque removal toward the end of the cleaning, as well as evaluate the gums for gum disease.

One usually does not require pain medication for a dental cleaning. Some patients are made so nervous by dentists however that they may ask for and receive nitrous oxide. Alternately, a patient might take a tranquilizer about an hour before the appointment to help with anxiety. In cases of extreme anxiety, some dentists now perform what is called sleeping dentistry, where a patient can be medicated and essentially sleep through a procedure.

The hygienist will generally employ several tools during a dental cleaning. One tool is a tooth polisher that can buff teeth, and eliminate tiny pieces of plaque. Polishers generally have several different sized heads so cleaning can occur in hard to reach places.

Scalers look a bit like metal hooks and are used to remove hard plaque, especially between teeth. When the dentist is using scalers this may feel uncomfortable to painful depending upon one’s sensitivity level and pain threshold. Other factors that may determine pain is length of time since one’s last cleaning and extent of plaque build-up.

Dentists may also employ a device that shoots water into the mouth, so the person can rinse out plaque several times during the dental cleaning. In some cases, the dentist may merely use mouthwash for this purpose.

One can also expect a dentist to inquire about one’s home brushing and flossing activities. One is likely to hear a lecture during a dental cleaning if plaque build-up is bad or if regular brushing and flossing is not practiced. If one is regularly taking care of teeth at home, and plaque build-up is significant, this may indicate the need for more frequent cleanings.

A dental cleaning often concludes with advice about home care of teeth, and scheduling of appointments needed to take care of filling cavities. If one has a busy dentist, it may be wise to schedule the next cleaning well in advance, so one can keep regular six-month cleaning appointments.If one has a heart condition, or has undergone heart surgery, it is extremely important to let the dentist know prior to the day of the teeth cleaning. Those with heart problems or heart defects are at high risk for developing a condition called bacterial endocarditis, which can seriously affect the heart. The only treatment needed prior to a dental cleaning, unless otherwise instructed, is a dose of antibiotics an hour before the cleaning. If a dentist does not know the proper dosage, then one should contact one’s physician. Usually dentists will know the dosage, but if in doubt, one can also check with the American Heart Association, which lists all guidelines for bacterial endocarditis prevention.

Dental Filling

A dental filling is usually a two-part step. It is first the removal of decaying tooth matter, caused by cavities, or alternately, the removal of damaged tooth matter caused by injury. Secondly, the dentist applies different materials, to fill the removed portion of the tooth, which allows the person to have full function of that tooth. In some cases, tooth decay is so severe, that a crown must be constructed outside of the mouth, which is then fit onto the tooth. This is called indirect restoration. Most commonly, though, the dental filling occurs completely in the mouth, called direct restoration, without need for molds, crowns or bridges to be placed.The first part of the dental filling is often the most uncomfortable and most dreaded by patients. Dentists normally have to drill into a tooth to get to and excise decaying portions of the tooth. Generally, dentists use novocaine to numb the sensation of having the drill applied to the tooth, but both the sound and smell of the dental drill is enough to cause anxiety in many patients. Some patients have adverse reactions to novocaine, and go without it during drilling. The procedure is described as somewhat to very painful depending upon individual perception. A new way of reducing anxiety for people having a dental filling or other dental procedures is called sleeping or sedation dentistry. With certain medications, like versed, a person can be in what is called conscious sedation. They will generally not be conscious during the procedure and usually have no memory of it. Dental filling of teeth with conscious sedation is usually more expensive and not covered by insurance.The easier second half of the dental filling procedure is filling the tooth. Materials for fillings differ. In the US, dental amalgam, and polymer resins are most common. Dental amalgam is made of mercury mixed with metal. Concern about placing mercury into the mouth has been a matter of some debate, since some mercury clearly leeches from the dental filling and is ingested. This has led some dentists to prefer plastic polymers instead, and some parents to insist on children never receiving a dental filling that contains mercury. As yet, controversy over mercury present in dental amalgam has not subsided. Glass ionomer cements may also be used instead of dental amalgam.After a dental filling, some people report minor discomfort, once the novocaine wears off. Discomfort may actually derive more from the injection of the novocaine than from the actual dental procedure. Patients may be sent home with instructions for eating soft foods for the remainder of the day, and for avoiding very hot foods while the novocaine remains in effect. By the next day, most people feel no discomfort, and can indulge in any food or drink they like.

DENTAL FLOSS

DENTAL FLOSS

Though buying dental floss may seem to be a simple task, there are some things to consider before making a purchase. Choosing the right kind of dental floss can be important for caring for your mouth properly. The right dental floss can also make your oral hygiene routine pleasant, instead of frustrating.When buying dental floss, always take the time to consider the spacing of your teeth. Your teeth are unique and you want to make a choice that will work best for you. For example, waxed dental floss seems to work best for individuals with closely spaced teeth. Waxed floss tends to be easier to guide between teeth that are very close together. This type of floss also tends to be sturdier and less likely to break off between your teeth.

If you have wide gaps between your teeth, it may be wise to choose a tape dental floss. Tape dental floss is thicker than other types of floss. As such, it is generally better suited to flossing between widely spaced teeth.

When you’re buying dental floss, you’ll find both flavored and unflavored floss from which to choose. Selecting flavored or unflavored floss is really just a matter of personal preference. However, flavored dental floss may be good to have at times when brushing or rinsing your mouth is not possible. Flavored dental floss can help you to have a clean tasting mouth at such times. If you have limited dexterity or you suffer from a condition that makes manipulating regular floss difficult, consider buying dental floss that is preloaded in a holder. This type of dental floss has a plastic handle, allowing you to floss your teeth without much maneuvering. You can even purchase power flossers designed to make your job even easier. You’ll find lots of variety when you’re buying dental floss. You’ll likely find polymer and cord floss, as well as nylon varieties. Some floss is made of space-age materials, offering a particularly smooth flossing experience. When considering your options, be aware that most dental floss studies show no difference between the cleaning efficiency of the available varieties.

Root Canal

A root canal refers to the soft tissue inside a tooth, which usually contains the nerves to the tooth. This tissue is located primarily below the gum in the “roots” of the tooth. However, most people who refer to a root canal mean they are having a dental procedure that may remove some of this tissue and its nerves if the tooth has become infected or abscessed.

The precise term for a root canal procedure is a pulpectomy or a pulpotomy. However, the term root canal is so often used, that it will be used in this explanation for greater clarity.

Frequently, particularly among people with adult teeth, a tooth will begin to hurt. One might also notice that the gum around the tooth appears swollen. If the pain is specific to one tooth, the danger is that the soft tissue of the tooth may have become infected. In some cases, a course of antibiotics can treat the infection without further intervention. More often, however, the tissue inside the tooth must be removed in order to prevent future pain. This root canal procedure is often more feared than necessary. With proper local anesthesia and pre-treatment for infection it takes about the same time as getting two or three fillings done at once.Sometimes a dentist will perform a root canal procedure on only one root of the tooth. At other times, removal of the soft tissue in all the roots is required. Once the tissue is scraped out and removed, the roots of the tooth are filled with a slightly flexible filling material.After the root canal is performed, patients can expect to experience mild discomfort for a few days. This is often easily treated with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. A dentist can prescribe a narcotic pain relieve like codeine if pain is not adequately addressed. One will usually be asked to eat soft foods for a day or two. Continued pain occurring three to four days after a root canal may suggest that not all tissue was removed or infection still persists. One should contact one’s dentist if pain continues after the third day. As well, one should finish any prescribed antibiotics even after the dental procedure to prevent reinfection. Often performing a root canal means that much of the top of the tooth has been destroyed. This means that within a few weeks of the root canal, a patient will also require a crown. Crowns replace the portion of missing tooth with porcelain, silver or gold filling. In rare cases, a root canal may only result in a large filling of a permanent nature. This is more rare, and most dentists prefer to use a crown to fit it perfectly to the missing portions of the tooth. For some, having to get a crown is terrible news, and means a dental procedure beyond their means. In the US, a crown can cost about 800-1000 US dollars (USD). Dental insurance may pay half that, and most dentists will not accept payments. Inability to pay for a crown often means teeth are lost, because the tooth is much more vulnerable after a root canal, and the temporary filling of the canals will only last for a short period of time.