True, missing teeth look bad and can make others perceive you as older or less attractive. Don’t forget, however, that missing permanent teeth also spell disaster for your remaining teeth. Ongoing or severe oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay and accidental trauma are the leading causes of tooth loss in the United States, but you can take a few simple steps to increase your chances of keeping your teeth for life. (more…)
How Serious is Losing a Permanent Tooth?
When you lose a permanent tooth, the seriousness you attribute to the situation is probably directly related to where that new gap lay. A missing molar won’t show too prominently, so the need to replace that tooth doesn’t seem as important. A tooth lost from the front of the mouth will show every time we speak or smile, therefore we consider the problem more urgent. Cosmetic concerns aside, losing a permanent tooth from anywhere in the mouth can set the stage for progressively worse oral health issues as you age. Today, we’re taking a measured look at how seriously you should treat tooth loss (and its causes and effects) and what steps you can take to restore your oral health. (more…)
Follow These Three Steps in a Dental Emergency
Think about the last time the lights went out in your house. You may have had candles and matches at the ready, flashlights with fresh batteries in easy-to-access locations, and plenty of bottled water on hand, but the sudden darkness still takes you by surprise. In a similar manner, no matter how well you’re prepared for a dental or medical emergency, it’s still going to come as a bit of a shock. However, using our guide for what to do in a dental emergency can help you stay calm and take the steps needed to increase your chances of a good outcome. (more…)
What Can You Expect from IV Sedation?
Dentists usually recommend IV sedation – anti-anxiety medication delivered intravenously via a small needle – for patients undergoing dental implant placement, wisdom tooth removal, or other oral surgery procedures. However, IV sedation also helps patients with profound dental fear and anxiety, a very sensitive gag reflex, or physical/neurological impairment relax during all types of dental treatment. If your dentist has recommended IV sedation, our handy guide will help you know what to expect from your procedure. (more…)
A Brief History of Nitrous Oxide
Those few moments just before a dental procedure can be a little tense, even for people who normally wouldn’t identify themselves as “afraid of the dentist.” Your dentist can take the edge off of that anxiety with nitrous oxide, a safe, reliable method that’s helped dental patients relax since the 19th century. Today, we’re taking a peek at the surprising history of nitrous oxide and exploring what the average patient can expect from this form of dental sedation. (more…)
Does Sedation Dentistry Put You to Sleep?
Toward the end of the 20th century, the trend in dentistry shifted toward a more patient-focused approach to treatment. As a result, dentists refined their chairside manner, dental offices began boasting ergonomic exam chairs and gourmet coffee, and more practices began offering a variety of dental sedation options. Sedation dentistry reaches out to people who are afraid of the dentist, those who have a sensitive gag reflex, and people with neurological or physical impairments, allowing them to receive much needed dental care. Today, we’re discussing the commonly held misconception that dental sedation puts you to sleep. (more…)
Two Diseases Your Dentist Might Notice First
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 90% of all pathologies have symptoms that show in the oral cavity. Whether it’s gum inflammation, dry mouth, or bone loss, your dentist has a privileged view of your overall health via the “window” of your mouth. Today, we’re taking a look at two diseases with initial symptoms that could show up during a routine checkup. (more…)
Diet or Hygiene: Which is More Important for Oral Health?
When it comes to a vibrantly healthy smile, which is more important: diet or hygiene habits? Can a healthy diet make up for skipping the floss? Can good brushing practices make up for a sugar-laden diet? Today, we’re taking a closer look at how diet and dental care affect oral health and whether one is better at promoting a healthy smile than the other. (more…)
How Do We Love Crowns? Let Us Count the Ways.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, our thoughts turn to romance. But while the search for love can often lead to disappointment and heartbreak, finding the dental restoration of your dreams is as easy as talking to your dentist about ceramic crowns. Seem like a stretch? In today’s blog, we’re discussing how dental crowns are like (and, in some cases, better than) your romantic partner. (more…)
Three Restorations that Toe the Cosmetic Line
For most of human history, esthetics took a backseat to functionality when it came to dental restorations. From the earliest beeswax fillings to the gold and platinum metal crowns still used today, dental restorations looked like, well, dental restorations. Today’s patients prefer a more natural esthetic and the industry has responded by developing different types of dental ceramic that boast exceptional strength and good looks. Today, we’re shining a light on three restorative techniques that cross over into cosmetic territory. (more…)
