Practicing healthy habits is essential in promoting oral health. Brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups all help to save time and money by preventing extensive treatment.
Plaque is a layer of bacteria that forms on teeth fed from eating foods high in sugar or starch.
The two stages of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Typical signs of gingivitis are red, swollen gums that are prone to bleeding. Fortunately, at this stage, brushing and flossing can often eliminate further development. In the more advanced stages, periodontitis may result which can lead to teeth becoming loose, falling out, or extraction.
Factors that may increase risks for periodontal disease:
Often there is no pain associated with periodontal disease indicating a problem; that is why healthy habits are so important in maintaining a healthy smile.
Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months is essential to maintaining healthy teeth as a worn toothbrush will not clean as effectively. Choosing a method of flossing that you will maintain is also important. Some prefer floss, but there are numerous other products available if using floss becomes difficult.
When choosing toothpaste, floss, toothbrushes, or any other oral hygiene products, looking for the American Dental Association Seal is a good first step. This seal ensures that the product has been tested and approved for safety and effectiveness. Your dentist should also be able to provide helpful advice in assisting your selection.
Commonly used to replace missing teeth, bridges can either be fixed or implanted. A fixed bridge is typically made from metals or porcelain and is bonded to surrounding teeth to keep it in place. An implant, on the other hand, is placed directly into the jawbone and acts as an anchor where a tooth’s root would have been.
Crowns serve as a covering to a tooth to improve appearance or strengthen. It may assist in the fitting of a bridge, restore a broken tooth, or simply mask teeth that are yellowed, misshapen or crooked.
Making room for adult teeth or preventing mouth decay or decay of surrounding teeth are both common reasons for extractions. Extractions are usually performed during a routine check-up but depending on the situation, a separate appointment may be necessary.
Restoration of missing, worn, damaged or decaying teeth may prompt a recommendation for fillings. Fortunately, the materials now used for fillings are more natural looking which translates to a more attractive smile. Ask us about these new materials and how your smile can be restored to look natural as well as healthy.
Obviously, there are many options available in restoring your smile to health. A consultation to determine which treatment plan is best for you is the first step in creating a beautiful, healthy smile. As a result, you will leave informed with a treatment plan for best results.
As briefly mentioned above, implants are an effective method of restoring missing teeth. During an implant procedure, a titanium post is placed directly into the jaw bone. A crown is then attached to mimic a natural tooth leaving a healthy smile.