|
|
|
Drinking Habits that Cause Tooth Decay and Solutions for Keeping Teeth and Gums Healthy – Colgate2012-02-08T20:52:00.000-08:00Drinking Habits that Cause Tooth Decay and Solutions for Keeping Teeth and Gums Healthy The British Dental Health Foundation - News Details2012-01-17T22:18:00.000-08:00The British Dental Health Foundation - News DetailsThe British Dental Health Foundation - News Details2011-12-19T05:15:00.000-08:00The British Dental Health Foundation - News DetailsEmergency Management of Dental Athletic Injuries2011-08-28T22:02:00.000-07:00Avulsion (Entire Tooth Knocked Out) - Avoid additional trauma to tooth while handling. Do Not handle tooth by the root. Do Not brush or scrub tooth. Do Not sterilize tooth.
- If debris is on tooth, gently rinse with water.
- If possible, reimplant tooth and stabilize by biting down gently on the towel or handkerchief. Do only if athlete is alert and conscious.
- If unable to reimplant:
- Best - Place tooth in a physiologic transport medium (e.g. Hank's Balanced Saline Solution)
- 2nd best - Place tooth in milk.
- 3rd best - Wrap tooth in saline-soaked gauze.
- 4th best - Place tooth under athlete's tongue. Do this ONLY if athlete is conscious and alert.
- Timing is very important. Reimplanting within 30 minutes has the highest degree of success rate. Transport Immediately to Dentist.
Luxation (Tooth in socket, but wrong position) Three Positions - Extruded Tooth - Upper tooth hangs downs and/or lower tooth raised up.
- Reposition tooth in socket using firm finger pressure.
- Stabilize tooth by gently biting on towel or handkerchief.
- Transport Immediately to Dentist.
- Lateral Displacement - Tooth pushed back or pulled forward.
. Try to reposition tooth using finger pressure. - Athlete may require local anesthetic to reposition tooth; if so, stabilize tooth by gently biting on towel or handkerchief.
- Transport Immediately to Dentist.
- Intuded Tooth - Tooth pushed into gum - looks short.
. Do nothing - avoid any repositioning of tooth. - Transport Immediately to Dentist.
Fracture (Broken Tooth) - If tooth is totally broken in half, save the broken portion and bring to the dental clinic as described under Avulsion, Item 4. Stabilize portion of tooth left in mouth by gently biting on towel or handkerchief to control bleeding.
- Should extreme pain occur, limit contact with other teeth, air or tongue. Pulp nerve may be exposed, which is extremely painful to athlete.
- Immediately Transport Patient and Tooth Fragments to Dentist.
Veneers are very thin layers of ceramic (porcelain) or a composite resin material, which are bonded to the front surfaces of teeth. The veneers are only about a mm thick. The same thickness is shaved off the natural tooth surface so as to bond the veneer to the tooth. A tooth colored liquid bonding material is then applied to the tooth surface, to help the veneer adhere to the tooth. They can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth. Veneers are placed to mask discolorations, to brighten teeth, close spaces, straighten teeth or repair chipped or worn teeth and thus contribute to a smile improvement. Veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in many situations. They provide a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth's color, size or shape. Veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline and damage due to an injury or as a result of a root-canal procedure. They are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn out may consider veneers. Indications for veneers· Ugly spaces between teeth. · Discolored teeth. · Malaligned or Slightly crooked teeth. · Chipped or slightly cracked teeth. · Fractured teeth with good amount of tooth structure left. · To mask discolored fillings of front teeth.
Advantages of Veneers1. Minimal tooth shaping 2. They look and feel completely natural 3. They are highly resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, cigarette smoking and even tobacco chewing. 4. They can last a long time with regular care and maintenance. After Treatment Care1. Brush(with a nonabrasive toothpaste.) and floss regularly 2. Avoid biting on hard foods like sugarcane etc. 3. After 1-2 weeks you may be asked by the dentist to come for a follow up appointment. A crown is a tooth-shaped cover placed over a badly damaged or decayed tooth whenA filling cannot restore the strength of a tooth. A support is required for fixed bridges. Improvement in appearance of a deformed or badly discolored tooth is required.
Types of crowns: Metal Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) - Ceramic
You may or may not require root canal treatment on the tooth. Before placing a crown, we may need to build up a foundation to support it. If the tooth is treated by root canal filling we may insert a post-and-core. Tooth is reshaped to make space for the crown. An impression of the tooth is made with a rubber-like material, removed and sent to the laboratory. We will also make an impression of the opposing teeth to make sure the crown will fit into your normal bite. Sometimes a temporary plastic crown is placed on to your tooth. These crowns are not meant to last long and weak temporary cement is used. This allows us to easily remove the temporary crown at each visit as your permanent crown is fitted. Once the crown is ready, slight adjustments may be made and than it is cemented over your tooth with permanent cement.
There will be no discomfort or sensitivity If there is pain or sensitivity when you bite down, this means that the crown is requires adjustment. You may notice a thin, dark line next to the gumline on your crowned tooth particularly in porcelain fused to metal crown. This dark line is the metal of the crown showing through, and is normal. A crown does not protect against gum disease. You should continue practicing good oral hygiene by regular brushing and flossing. Crowns, especially all-porcelain ones, can chip. These can be repaired in the mouth, but if there is a lot of chipping, you may need a replacement crown. Rarely the cement washes out from under the crown, allowing the bacteria to leak in and cause decay. If your crown seems loose when you chew, or if you have an unusual odor around the tooth, consult us. Crowns sometimes fall out. If it happens,it can be cemented back.
Fight Back Against the Plaque Attack!2011-08-01T21:49:00.000-07:00You know that fuzzy feeling on your teeth at the end of the day? Well, it’s not fuzz (phew!), it’s actually plaque (oh no!). What is plaque? It’s a sticky biofilm attached to your teeth containing hundreds of bacterial species. Before you run for the mouthwash, you should know those bacteria occur naturally. And it’s not just you, everyone has them!What Causes Plaque?Those little germs on your teeth use ingredients in saliva to flourish, namely sugar. As the bacteria metabolize tiny sweet particles, they produce acids that erode tooth enamel, cause cavities, and lead to gum disease and tooth loss. A diet full of candy, soft drinks, and carbohydrate-rich foods ups the ante.Lose the Plaque, Not Your Teeth!Though the formation of plaque happens to us all, there are things you can do to prevent it from building up on your teeth and hardening into tartar.- Brush thoroughly at least twice a day, but preferably after every meal.
- Floss once a day to remove leftover food particles and plaque between teeth.
- Chew sugarless gum in between brushing. When you chew, saliva is produced, which counteracts acid in the mouth.
- Limit your intake of sugary, starchy foods. Sticky snacks, like raisins, are especially problematic.
- Stop smoking! Do we really need to explain why? Besides the obvious reasons, smokers have more hardened plaque than non-smokers do.
- Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and professional hygiene.
- Ask about dental sealants, a thin plastic coating that protects the chewing surfaces of your teeth from cavities and decay.
Some New News in Plaque PreventionRecent research has pointed to some interesting (and yummy) ways you might be able to slow the production of plaque and acid-causing bacteria. The flavonoids in anti-oxidant rich cranberries may reduce the enzymes associated with plaque formation. Also at the forefront? The sugar substitute xylitol. Now found in gum and candy, xylitol prevents bacteria from sticking to teeth. Cool! Tooth Sensitivity2011-07-23T00:54:00.000-07:00Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common dental problems, with the majority of the population having suffered from sensitive teeth at some time or another. It's a condition in which there is discomfort in the tooth or teeth caused by the consumption of hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks. The sensitivity can range from twings in the tooth or teeth, to sharp shooting pain that can last for hours. This condition occurs when the receding tissue of the gums exposes the dentin (the underlying layer of the teeth). The dentinal channels allow hot, cold or sweet stimuli to touch the nerves in your tooth. This causes discomfort and pain.
Causes of sensitive teeth
There are several causes that can lead to sensitivity in the teeth:
Incorrect brushing - Excessive brushing, brushing too vigorously or with a hard-bristled toothbrush can, over time, wear away the enamel layer of the tooth and expose the dentin. Over-brushing can also cause the gum tissue to recede.
Gum disease - Conditions like gingivitis cause the gum tissue to become inflamed and sore. This can also tear away the supporting ligaments, exposing the root surface, and allowing stimuli to reach the nerve of the tooth.
Cracked teeth - Teeth that are chipped can soon become filled with plaque. The bacteria can enter and inflame the pulp.
Bruxism - People who clench or grind their teeth can find their tooth enamel wearing down quickly, exposing the dentin.
Teeth-whitening products - Products that are used to whiten the teeth have been found to be linked to tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity is very common during both in-surgery teeth-whitening treatments and home teeth whitening. Different people experience this sensitivity to varying extents.
Age - Persons between the age of 25 and 30 have been found to be the most vulnerable to tooth sensitivity.
Diet - Foods with a high acid content - like tomatoes, lemons, oranges and other citrus fruits and tea can erode the enamel layer of the teeth,causing sensitivity.
Dental procedures - Sometimes, tooth sensitivity may be seen following dental procedures like tooth restoration, root planing and crown placement.This kind of sensitivity is not long lasting and disappears after a few weeks. Teeth whitening frequently causes temporary tooth sensitivity.
Risk factors - Although tooth sensitivity can be seen in people of all ages, it is more often found in people who are between 20 and 40 years of age.Women have been found to be more susceptible to sensitivity. Diagnosis of tooth sensitivity
Your dentist will enquire about your dental hygiene practices and will look for any signs of tooth decay and gum disease. He will also check for any exposed roots, and may use a metal instrument called an explorer to test for sensitivity. He will also look to see if your sensitivity can be treated by root canal treatment. Treatment of sensitive teeth Depending on the cause of the sensitivity, your dentist will recommend products or perform treatments like :
 He may use a desensitizing product to relieve the symptoms of sensitive teeth.
He may also use a fluoride rinse or gel on the affected teeth. These products have to be applied on the teeth regularly with a gap of one or two weeks between each application. This helps reduce the sensitivity, and build up protection around the teeth.
Your dentist may use a filling around the area where the gum and tooth meet to cover any exposed dentine.
If none of these methods works, or if the tooth’s nerve has been severely damaged, the sensitivity may be treated with a root canal treatment.
If the sensitivity is caused by a new amalgam filling, the symptoms normally go away after a few weeks. If they don’t, your dentist will polish the filling to relieve the symptoms.
If the sensitivity is caused by bruxism, your dentist will look at ways to treat the teeth grinding. Implants replace missing teeth and can offer a smile that looks and feels very natural. Surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments, implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture. Because implants require surgery, patients must be in good health, have healthy gums, have adequate bone to support the implant and be committed to meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits. If you are considering implants, a thorough evaluation by your dentist will help determine if you are a good candidate.
Dental Implant Care
Dental implants require special care. Ideally, they should be cleaned after every meal. At a minimum, they should be cleaned twice a day, morning and night. Brush abutments (the implants themselves) and the crowns or bridges attached to them. You may need an inter-dental toothbrush to reach small spaces. Special dental flosses with a stiff end can be threaded under bridgework to floss the sides of the abutments.
|
|
|
|
|