Dental Health Articles

Dental Fillings

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 22:36:16 GMT

Learn about dental fillings

Overview

A filling is used to treat a small hole, or cavity, in a tooth. To repair a cavity, a dentist removes the decayed tooth tissue and then fills the space with a filling material.

Causes

Tooth decay is damage to a tooth that can happen when harmful bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth enamel. This can lead to a small hole in a tooth, called a cavity. More severe decay can cause a large hole or even destruction of the entire tooth. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.

When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently—for example, if you eat or drink often, especially foods or drinks containing sugar and starches—the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. A white spot may appear where minerals have been lost. This is a sign of early decay.

Tooth decay can be stopped or reversed at this point. Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity.

Treatment

There are several types of filling material currently available to repair cavities, including tooth- colored (composite) fillings and silver-colored (amalgam) fillings. Composite resin materials are increasingly used to fill teeth because many people prefer tooth-colored fillings and because composites continue to improve.

There are also treatments called crowns, used to repair badly broken-down teeth. Crowns can be made of gold or other metals, porcelain, or stainless steel (usually used on baby teeth). Generally, dental fillings and crowns do not last a lifetime.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 22:26:48 GMT

Learn about periodontal disease

Overview

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden. In advanced stages, periodontal disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; and even tooth loss.

Causes

Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless “plaque” on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing doesn’t clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.

There are a number of risk factors for gum disease, but smoking is the most significant. Smoking also can make treatment for gum disease less successful. Other risk factors include diabetes; hormonal changes in girls and women; diabetes; medications that lessen the flow of saliva; certain illnesses, such as AIDS, and their medications; and genetic susceptibility.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gum disease include:

Bad breath that won’t go away.
Red or swollen gums.
Tender or bleeding gums.
Painful chewing.
Loose teeth.
Sensitive teeth.
Receding gums or longer appearing teeth.

Diagnosis

At a dental visit, a dentist or dental hygienist will:

Examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation.
Use a tiny ruler called a “probe” to check for and measure any pockets around the teeth. In a healthy mouth, the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters. This test for pocket depth is usually painless.
Ask about your medical history to identify conditions or risk factors (such as smoking or diabetes) that may contribute to gum disease.

The dental professional may also:

Take an x-ray to see whether there is any bone loss.
Refer you to a periodontist. Periodontists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and may provide you with treatment options that are not offered by your dentist.

Treatment

The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. The dentist may also suggest changing certain behaviors, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve your treatment results.

Helpful Tips

You can keep your gums and teeth healthy by:

Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing regularly to remove plaque from between teeth. Or, you can use a device such as a special brush, wooden or plastic pick, or a “water flosser” recommended by a dental professional.
Visiting the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning.
Quitting smoking.

Tooth Decay

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 22:16:23 GMT

What is tooth decay?

Overview

Tooth decay (dental caries) is damage to a tooth that can happen when decay-causing bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth’s surface, or enamel. This can lead to a small hole in a tooth, called a cavity. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.

People of all ages can get tooth decay once they have teeth—from childhood through the senior years.

Young children are at risk for “early childhood caries,” sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay, which is severe tooth decay in baby teeth.

Because many older adults experience receding gums, which allows decay-causing bacteria in the mouth to come into contact with the tooth’s root, they can get decay on the exposed root surfaces of their teeth.

Causes

When decay-causing bacteria come into contact with sugars and starches from foods and drinks, they form an acid. This acid can attack the tooth’s enamel causing it to lose minerals.

This can happen if you eat or drink often, especially foods and drinks containing sugar and starches. The repeated cycles of these “acid attacks” will cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. Over time, the enamel is weakened and then destroyed, forming a cavity.

Symptoms

In early tooth decay, there are not usually any symptoms. As tooth decay advances, it can cause a toothache (tooth pain) or tooth sensitivity to sweets, hot, or cold. If the tooth becomes infected, an abscess, or pocket of pus, can form that can cause pain, facial swelling, and fever.

Diagnosis

Tooth decay can be found during a regular dental check-up. Early tooth decay may look like a white spot on the tooth. If the decay is more advanced, it may appear as a darker spot or a hole in the tooth. The dentist can also check the teeth for soft or sticky areas or take an x-ray, which can show decay.

Treatment

Dentists commonly treat cavities by filling them. A dentist will remove the decayed tooth tissue and then restore the tooth by filling it with a filling material.

Helpful Tips

Here are some things you can do to prevent tooth decay:

Use fluoride, a mineral that can prevent tooth decay from progressing, and even reverse, or stop, early tooth decay. You can get fluoride by
Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste.
Drinking tap water with fluoride.
Using fluoride mouth rinse.
Have a good oral hygiene routine. Brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and regularly clean between teeth with floss or another interdental (between-the-teeth) cleaner.
Make smart food choices that limit foods high in sugars and starches. Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.
Do not use tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco. If you currently use tobacco, consider quitting.
See your dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleanings.

Dental Sealants

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 22:07:04 GMT

Seal Out Tooth Decay With Dental Sealants

What are dental sealants? Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants are put on in dentists’ offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.

Why get sealants? The most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay. Fluoride in toothpaste and in drinking water protects the smooth surfaces of teeth but back teeth need extra protection. Sealants cover the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and keep out germs and food. Having sealants put on teeth before they decay will also save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth. What causes tooth decay? Germs in the mouth use the sugar in food and drinks to make acids. Over time, the acids can make a cavity in the tooth. Of course a healthy tooth is the best tooth. So it is important to prevent decay. That’s why sealants are so important.

Why do back teeth decay so easily? The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they have small pits and grooves. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and grooves and stay there a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away.

Who should get sealants? Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as the teeth come in — before decay attacks the teeth. The first permanent molars — called “6 year molars” — come in between the ages of 5 and 7. The second permanent molars — “12 year molars” — come in when a child is between 11 and 14 years old. Other teeth with pits and grooves also might need to be sealed. Teenagers and young adults who are prone to decay may also need sealants.

Should sealants be put on baby teeth? Your dentist might think it is a good idea, especially if your child’s baby teeth have deep pits and grooves. Baby teeth save space for permanent teeth. It is important to keep baby teeth healthy so they don’t fall out early.

Does insurance pay for sealants? Some health insurance programs pay for sealants. Check with your state Medicaid program or your insurance company for details.

How long do sealants last? Sealants can last up to 10 years. But they need to be checked at regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. The dentist or dental hygienist can repair sealants by adding more sealant material.

What if a small cavity is accidentally covered by a sealant? The decay will not spread, because it is sealed off from its food and germ supply.

Are sealants new? No, sealants have been around since the 1960s. Studies by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and others led to the development of dental sealants and showed that they are safe and effective. But many people still do not know about sealants. Besides sealants, are there other ways to prevent tooth decay? Yes. Using fluoride toothpaste and drinking fluoridated water can help protect teeth from decay. Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride and ask the dentist or pediatrician if your drinking water has fluoride in it. If your water is not fluoridated, ask about other kinds of fluoride that can help keep your child’s teeth healthy. Fluoride is the best defense against tooth decay!

Fluoride...

makes teeth more resistant to decay
repairs tiny areas of decay before they become big cavities
makes germs in the mouth less able to cause decay

Fluoride helps the smooth surfaces of the teeth the most. It is less effective on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Regular brushing — with fluoride toothpaste — also helps prevent tooth decay.

Daily Care for Teeth and Gums

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 19:38:48 GMT

There’s a right way to brush and floss your teeth.

Gently brush your teeth on all sides with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste. Use small circular motions and short back-and-forth strokes.
Brush carefully and gently along your gum line.
Lightly brush your tongue to help keep your mouth clean.
Clean around your teeth with dental floss. Work the floss gently between the teeth until it reaches the gumline.
Curve the floss into a C shape against one tooth and slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Move the floss up and down. Do this for both sides.
If you have trouble flossing, a floss holder or other cleaning device may help.
Rinse after you floss.

Gum Disease

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 19:09:53 GMT

Gum disease begins when plaque builds up along and under your gum line. Plaque causes an infection that hurts the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place. A mild form of gum disease may make your gums red, tender, and more likely to bleed. This problem, called gingivitis, can often be fixed by brushing and flossing every day.

A more severe form of gum disease, called periodontitis, must be treated by a dentist. If not treated, this infection can lead to sore, bleeding gums, painful chewing problems, and even tooth loss.

To prevent gum disease:

Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss regularly.
Visit your dentist routinely for a checkup and cleaning. Tell the dentist about any medical conditions you have and medications you take.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk for gum disease.

Dentures

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 19:09:52 GMT

Sometimes, false teeth (dentures) are needed to replace badly damaged teeth or teeth lost because of gum disease. Partial dentures may be used to fill in one or more missing teeth. Dentures may feel strange at first. In the beginning, your dentist may want to see you often to make sure the dentures fit. Over time, your gums will change shape, and your dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced. Be sure to let your dentist handle these adjustments.

Be careful when wearing dentures because it may be harder for you to feel hot foods and drinks or notice bones in your food. When learning to eat with dentures, it may be easier if you:

Start with soft, non-sticky food.
Cut your food into small pieces.
Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth.

Keep your dentures clean and free from food that can cause stains or bad breath. Avoid small crunchy foods that can get trapped under the dentures and hurt your gums. Brush dentures every day with a denture-care product, and soak them in water or a denture-cleansing liquid at night. Be sure to leave them out of your mouth while you sleep to prevent swollen gums.

Easing Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 19:09:52 GMT

Easing Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Try to reduce your daily stress and use relaxation techniques.
Practice good sleep habits. Seek treatment for sleep problems.
Apply ice or wet heat to sore jaw muscles.
Avoid eating hard or dense foods. Don’t chew gum.
Find ways to relax your face and jaw muscles throughout the day. The goal is to make facial relaxation a habit.
Schedule regular dental exams. Your dentist can spot early signs of teeth grinding.