While cavities can lead to complications, dealing with them isn't all that hard. When caught early enough, all your dentist has to do is clean them out and apply the most appropriate filling. This eliminates the cavities and prevents any further deterioration.
What does "impacted" mean? It means the tooth is so far back in your mouth that it may be trapped by your jawbone or gums so that it can't break through properly. Surgery is typically necessary to correct the condition.
Laser work harnesses the energy of a laser that comes in the form of light. It can be used as a tool for ‘cutting’, which is necessary for surgical purposes or for ‘curing’, such as strengthening the bond between a filling and the tooth.
Oral cancer does not attack only the inside of the mouth, it can also attack the lips. To help prevent it, be sure to use a lip balm with a sufficient SPF rating for your part of the country.
In order to attach a bridge, a prosthodontist must first reduce the size of the supporting teeth so they can accommodate the crowns that will eventually slip over them. These crowns support the pontic, that is, the prosthetic that will fill the gap left behind by the missing tooth.
Did you know that there are two kinds of floss? There's the monofilament floss which is made of rubber and plastic. Then there's also the multifilament floss made of silk and nylon.
In ancient Egypt, the tomb of Hesy-Re, a scribe, describes him as "the greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians." Historians say this is the first reference to someone who apparently was a practitioner of early dentistry.
Depending on the system used, did you know that dental drills spin anywhere from 30,000 rpm (electric) to 300,000 rpm (pneumatic)? While very effective, drills rotating at these speeds generate a lot of heat so they need to be connected to a water supply to cool things down.
Because dentists are trained in detecting oral cancer, they understand the earliest signs of it so treatment can begin as soon as possible when it will be most effective.
Did you know that laser dentistry can be used to treat a wide range of conditions? This includes cavities and cold sores, as well as the removal of mouth lesions and other abnormalities.
It is important to take care of your teeth as you age. Recent studies have found a possible link between poor oral hygiene and an accelerated risk for dementia.
Is it okay to use toothpicks to clean your teeth? Only very occasionally and as long as they are used correctly. When cleaning teeth with toothpicks, be extremely gently and use slow movements – no pain should arise.
One of the worst things for your teeth, mouth and oral health is tobacco. In fact, continuing to use it after visiting the dentist negates any benefits you're receiving.
Everyone is biologically different, which is why your dental needs may differ from others. As such, consulting your dentist regularly is crucial so they monitor your oral health and provide you with any special procedures you may need.
Do you know that missing teeth, when left untreated, can cause the deterioration of surrounding jawbone as well? The adjacent and subsequently other teeth can start shifting, leading to more missing teeth.
It’s important to remember that coming in every six months for a cleaning and check-up is the best way to keep your teeth healthy. Left unchecked, a cavity can eventually turn into a crown, root canal or even tooth loss.
When people meet for the first time, they tend to notice the eyes, then teeth, and then hair. But, even though the hair is third on the list, people spend more money on hair care products than they do on keeping their smile pretty.
If you have smaller spaces between your teeth, a thin floss instead of a dental tape would be the preferred option.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is like a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. Therefore, TMJ disorders cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control your jaw movement.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data indicates that about 50 percent of people 30 years of age and older suffer from some level of periodontal disease. Be sure to brush, floss, and rinse daily; eat healthy foods; avoid snacking between meals; and visit your dentist regularly.
Flossing can help to not only clean between your teeth but also portions below the gum line throughout your entire mouth.
Dental laser treatments can be very effective in the removal of excess tissue, including tissue tags, flaps of tissue over teeth, and even tongue tie. Laser technology also provides a great approach to disinfecting gums and pockets in the treatment of gum disease.
If your tooth cracks or is decayed beyond repair, your dentist will probably recommend an extraction. However, as pulling out a tooth will leave a gap, he or she may also recommend that you get a prosthetic to take its place.
After graduating, dental students become general dentists and are give the title DDM (Doctor of Dental Medicine). However, the journey doesn't stop there. In order to become specialists, these newly minted dentists must undergo further education and training in the dental field of their choice.