Imagine going to a dentist to have a tooth pulled anytime before the early 1900s. You might run into a dentist familiar with the 1844 discovery that nitrous oxide works as anesthesia. Unfortunately, it's more likely you would be given cocaine or alcohol.
If the sensitive toothpaste that you select from the store does not help resolve the sensitivity you are feeling in your teeth, your dentist may be able to prescribe a stronger sensitive toothpaste instead.
We realize that no one wants to schedule an appointment for a root canal and a crown unless they absolutely have to. Let’s talk about the steps you can take now that may help you preserve the health of your teeth for many years to come.
Sedation dentistry isn’t just for people with dental anxiety issues. If you know you have several sessions for a complicated root canal or other issue, choosing sedation will make the time at the dentist seem to fly by. Your dentist will be able to work more quickly off your totally relaxed state.
Did you know that braces are one of the oldest dental practices in recorded history? Some ancient mummies discovered in Egypt have bands of metal attached to their teeth. Aristotle also recommended braces, as did Hippocrates.
Can dentures affect your speech? You may notice minor speech differences at first, but once your facial muscles are accustomed to the change, this should subside.
Hesi-Re was the earliest known dentist, and lived 5000 years ago in Egypt. Lucy Beaman Hobbs is credited as being the first female dentist in 1866, while Irene Newman became the first female dental hygienist in 1905.
While jaw surgery is occasionally prescribed as a treatment for TMJ disorders, it isn't effective or needed in a majority of cases. Lifestyle changes, orthotics, orthodontics, and other treatments are often effective, so surgery is only undertaken as a last resort.
Did you know that sedation dentistry techniques can be used for everything from invasive procedures to a simple tooth cleaning? This type of dentistry can be a lifesaver to those patients who suffer from dental anxiety.
Unfortunately, your mouth is a much smaller place than the hands of any dental surgeon you’ll encounter. The use of lasers is perhaps the best way for dentists to deal with soft tissue issues in the mouth with a level of precision.
Does visiting the dentist make you nervous or anxious? Let us know. There are a number of treatment options available to help make your appointment less stressful.
One of the more bothersome aspects of plaque is that it is always present. That's why it is important that you brush and floss at least twice a day, and visit the dentist for regular professional cleanings.
For the best, and most thorough, cleaning of your teeth, invest in an electric toothbrush. To make sure you use it long enough, choose a model with an automatic timing mechanism (yes, they do exist).
By your child’s first birthday (sooner, if teeth have already appeared), you should visit a pediatric dentist every six months. Because your child undergoes so many rapid changes, regular checkups will catch any problems in their earliest, and most readily treatable, stages.
Fears about failed fillings may be a thing of the past. Researchers in dental science have developed a filling compound that's twice as strong as anything currently available and a dental adhesive that's thirty times stronger than what's now used.
Children's primary teeth need as much care as their permanent teeth need. Otherwise, serious problems can develop as they grow, including speech impediments and health issues.
Levi Spear Parmly is credited as introducing modern dental floss in 1815. He promoted the use of a fine piece of silk to floss teeth. During WWII, Dentist Charles C. Bass developed nylon floss and is also credited with promoting the importance of flossing.
Most people will feel calmer and more relaxed after taking sedative medication prior to a dental procedure. These types of drugs are used to produce sedation along a continuum, ranging from mild to moderate to unconscious.
Did you know that dental lasers can be used to help treat cold sores? For painful cold sores that are not responding to time or treatment, low intensity dental lasers can be used to reduce healing times and reduce cold sore pain.
For many people, it is never too late to reverse tooth decay. Studies conducted over the course of 50 years have found that it takes four to eight years for decay to move from the enamel to the dentine (inner layer). Improving oral hygiene practices can reverse it.
Dentists are the diligent professionals behind most healthy smiles, and they provide a range of corrective and preventative services, such as straightening, repairing and removing decay from teeth, in addition to providing advice on diet, flossing and other keys to good oral health.
Veneers are designed to improve the appearance of teeth. These wafer-thin shells are made from either porcelain or resin and are bonded to the teeth’s outermost layer. Typically, they last anywhere from seven to 15 years before needing replacement.
