Navigating Healthcare: A Guide to Modern Medicine and Wellness

Dental Health

Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Dentures
Dentures

Dentures or dental implants? It’s almost as hotly a debated subject these days as the chicken and the egg. Of course, if you’re someone who’s facing the decision of how best to replace teeth you’ve lost, it’s infinitely more important. And, since most people have encountered this situation at one time or other in their life, it is a far-reaching dilemma indeed. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, well over half of all Americans ages 35 to 45 have had one or more missing teeth in their lives, meaning that the question of whether to opt for dentures or dental implants is one that is faced by thousands of patients daily, in Morristown and throughout the country. If you find yourself in this group, here’s some information that will help you to arrive at the best and most informed decision that is right for your situation.

How to Care for Dental Implants

Dental Implants
Dental Implants

For millions of patients through the country who have lost one or more teeth, dental implants are an effective and attractive alternative to dentures. Dental implants are a popular choice by patients because they look and perform like natural teeth, which is something that dentures can’t proclaim. Additionally, unlike dentures, dental implants are permanently integrated into the mouth by being anchored into the jawbone with screws. Like being fitted for dentures, the fitting procedure and time period for dental implants can be a bit long and involved, but dental patients typically agree that the wait is well worth it. Whether you’re considering dental implants, or you’ve already had your implant procedure performed by a quality dentist in Clearwater, it’s important to know how to properly care for your implants in order to keep them looking and functioning optimally.

What Is Good Dental Hygiene?

Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygiene

There was a time when your smile was the first thing people noticed about you. And you know what? That hasn’t changed at all! In a recent poll, more than half of the people surveyed put smile at the top of the list as the first thing they notice when they meet someone. Of course, that also means that the lack of smile is also the first thing they notice. If you’re not smiling as much as you should, your dental hygiene routine may be to blame. Good dental hygiene is a must, especially in today’s highly social world. You never know when you’ll be walking around  and suddenly run into an old high school buddy, a future business associate, or the love of your life! But that’s only part of the reason for maintaining a good dental hygiene routine. Recent studies have shown a link between oral health and disease, including heart disease and diabetes. That’s why it’s vital to adopt a regular dental hygiene routine early on and carry it through every stage of life.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

https://www.dreamstime.com/-image3234654Disrepair, rot, extinction … these are the words that come up when you type ‘decay’ into your online thesaurus. Extinction! And that is exactly what can happen if your teeth are decaying. Tooth decay has the power to destroy your tooth structures and causes you to lose your teeth. And then, before you know it, your teeth are as obsolete as the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex. Exactly as the name suggests, tooth decay causes ruin wherever it goes. It can destroy any tooth in your mouth, from top to bottom, inside and out, on any level, and it can even destroy your gums and the bones that support your teeth. In fact, recent reports from medical researchers and top dentists indicate that, if it is left untreated, tooth decay not only can lead to gum disease, but more serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke. The saddest part about tooth decay is that it’s almost totally avoidable and preventable. There’s simply no reason to suffer from tooth decay and all the destruction it brings with it. In just a few simple steps, teeth can be healthy and strong, making tooth decay, rather than teeth, a thing of the past.

What Is Gingivitis?

GingivitisGingivitis is a form of gum disease that, if it is left untreated, can lead to periodontitis. This is a more serious form of gum disease that causes infections of the gums that can damage soft tissue and even destroy the bone structures that support your teeth. Periodontitis has even been reported as a contributing factor that can lead to serious health complications including heart disease and stroke. These are just some of the reasons gingivitis must be taken seriously. According to the AmericanAcademy of Periodontology, gingivitis is the more common form of gum disease and, even though it is a mild form of gum disease, it often leads to the more serious gum disease, periodontitis. Gingivitis can be painless, which means it often goes undetected, and therefore, neglected. The fact is, though, that gingivitis is easy to prevent. With a simple oral hygiene routine that takes just a few minutes a day, your teeth and gums should remain healthy and free of disease for the rest of your life. Here is further information on gingivitis, including the signs and symptoms to watch out for, how you and your family dentist in Clearwater can treat gingivitis, and how to prevent it in the first place.

The Anatomy of Teeth

TeethSomeone once said that good-looking people with strong teeth get things handed to them on platters. If this is true, undoubtedly it’s because the teeth are one of the first things we see … or should see … when meeting someone for the first time. In fact, in a recent poll, more than 50 percent of people said that a smile is the first thing they notice about someone!

But how much do you really know about teeth? For instance, did you know that, before the invention of toothpaste, people ground up chalk, charcoal, or ashes and added lemon juice or made a honey-tobacco mixture to clean their teeth? Or did you know that in 1800s England people who had false teeth often ate in their bedrooms before events where they gathered for dinners so they could be protected from the embarrassment of having their teeth fall out in front of others? Or, did you know that a common custom in the Middle Ages was to kiss a donkey to relieve toothaches? It’s true!

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental CrownsDental crowns have been around for years and have numerous restorative and cosmetic uses. The question is, how do you know if you have a tooth that needs to be capped and what kind of dental crown do you need?

One of the most common reasons for getting a dental crown is to prevent further decay or damage to a weak tooth.  A dental crown is placed over a tooth so it is able to protect the surface of a tooth and strengthen it so that it does not easily break.  On the cosmetic side, a dental crown can help to restore the appearance of a tooth that has already been damaged or worn down.  Likewise, if you have a tooth that is discolored or irregularly shaped, a dental cap can hide these flaws and make the tooth appear normal.

What Is A Root Canal?

Root CanalA root canal is the procedure done to save a badly damaged tooth. Whether it is caused by decay or infection, this procedure is needed in order to refrain from having to remove the tooth. During the procedure you will receive a local anesthetic in order to dull the pain while the root canal is taking place. This procedure can be done locally at a family dentist in Clearwater, Florida.

Root Canal Procedure

The root canal is the natural cavity within the tooth. Inside of the cavity also lies the soft area known as the pulp, and the tooth’s nerve. During the procedure, your family dentist or dental specialist will remove the pulp and the nerve from the inside of the damaged tooth. Contrary to what some may think, the removal of the nerve will not affect the everyday functions of the tooth. Its only purpose is to distinguish between the senses of hot and cold.