Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Problem: Tooth Decay

Also known as cavities, tooth decay occurs when plaque is allowed to linger on teeth for too long.

Who can suffer from tooth decay? Anyone can get a cavity, but children and older people are the most prone. The incidence among children has been declining, because of the increased use of fluoride toothpastes, but more than half of all children have cavities by the second grade. Older adults are prone to cavities at the root because protective gum tissue often pulls away.

What to do: Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss every day. Children can also benefit from sealants applied to the chewing surfaces of their back teeth as soon as their adult molars come in. Older people should be vigilant and those who have a tendency toward dry mouth should receive regular fluoride treatments from a dentist. They should also use a fluoride-containing mouth wash.

Problem: Gum Disease

A bacterial infection caused by plaque that attacks the gums, bone, and ligaments that keep your teeth in place. The early stage is known as gingivitis, the advanced stage is called periodontitis.

Who can suffer from gum disease: Everyone. It is estimated that half of all adults have some signs of gingivitis. Most at risk are people with poor oral hygiene; those with a systemic disease, such as diabetes, and smokers. Women also have a tendency to develop gingivitis during pregnancy. Other risk factors are stress, which weakens the immune system, and genes.

What to do: See a dentist regularly. Let your dentist know if your gums feel tender or bleed. Gingivitis can be reversed with regular brushing and flossing. To combat periodontitis, a dentist or periodontist may perform a deep cleaning around the teeth and below the gum lines and prescribe medication to combat the infection. If the disease has progressed to affect your gums and bone, your dentist might suggest surgery, such as a gum graft.

Problem: Tooth Infection

The pulp inside the tooth is damaged or becomes infected because of decay or injury. The root canal, which connects the top pulp chamber to the tip of the root, may become infected, too.

Who’s at risk: Anyone with a deep cavity or a cracked tooth, which can let in bacteria. An injured tooth can have a problem even if it's not visibly cracked or chipped.

What to do: If you feel pain in or around a tooth, see your dentist. He may refer you to an endodontist, who specializes in root-canal procedures. In one to three visits, the dentist will perform a root canal. He will remove the pulp, clean the pulp chamber and root canal, then fill the tooth. Finally, he may seal the tooth with a porcelain or gold crown.

Problem: Enamel Erosion

Exposure to acid, primarily from soda or citrus drinks, can wear down the surface of the teeth, making them rounded and discolored.

Who’s at risk: Anyone who drinks lemonade, soda and diet soda, or sports drinks all day.

What to do: If necessary, teeth can be restored with bonding materials. But to prevent further damage, you have to change your habits. If the cause is soft drinks switch to water. Second best is to drink sodas with a full meal, then follow with a tooth brushing, sugarless gum, or a gargle with water.

The canal is located beneath the superficial enamel and within the yellow dentin of the tooth. It holds the pulp chamber in the center of each tooth which contains the pulp tissue and the nerve. The nerve is what allows us to feel hot and cold through our teeth and when the pulp becomes it infected it leads to painful discomfort and the procedure aims to alleviate pain and clear the infection.

Why Would I Need Root Canal Therapy?
When the nerve and pulp become infected a root canal procedure may be necessary to save the tooth because if the infection is ignored, the decay will spread and eventually, the tooth will need to be extracted. Additionally, the infection can cause an abscess which if left untreated could result in more severe medical problems. Common symptoms of an infected root include severe tooth pain, discoloration or swelling. Due to the fact the infection can spread its best to try and get it taken care of as soon as possible.

What's the Process for Root Canal Therapy?
First, we will assess yourdental condition with you to determine if a root canal is best for you. A dental x-ray is performed to ensure a smooth procedure. On the day of the procedure, our dentist makes a hole in the crown of the tooth through which they then remove the pulp. They clean the canal thoroughly, then fill the canal with a filling material and seal the crown of the tooth with a temporary filling. Generally, they finish the procedure by placing a crown on the tooth, since most teeth which require root canal therapy are too damaged to support themselves anymore.

Depending on how many teeth are infected and the extent of the damage, the root canal process may be completed in one or two appointments. The results should last indefinitely if you maintain proper oral hygiene habits and schedule regular cleaning appointments with your dentist. Contact us today should you be experiencing any symptoms listed above or if you just need to set up your next cleaning.

Some people may not enjoy going to the dentist however dentists are absolutely necessary and provide excellent services for keeping teeth healthy. Visiting a dentist every six months is a great way to protect your teeth from potential cavities and cavities that could turn into something worse like a root canal. However, in between visits with your dentist, you can do your part to prevent plaque from building up and destroying your enamel. What you eat directly affects how well your teeth will hold up.

The science behind cavities can also be related to the pH balance found inside your mouth. The most stable or neutral pH is a 7, but most foods that you eat are either more acid or more basic than that. Your teeth harbor bacteria that thrive on acidic foods, and are able to break down enamel better when mixed with acidic foods. While you can't avoid acidic foods, you can dilute your saliva throughout the day by drinking plenty of water.

If you want to protect your teeth as much as possible, the obvious thing to cut out of your diet is sugar. When sugar breaks down inside of your mouth, it immediately starts breaking down the enamel on your teeth and starts causing cavities. While having a sweet every once in a while never hurt anyone, drinking sugary sodas and candy every day will definitely create problems.

Chewing sugarless gum is also a great way to prevent cavities. When you chew gum, your mouth produces a substantial amount of saliva, which cleans your teeth and prevents cavities. Look for gum packets that have the American Dental Association stamp of approval. Contact us today if you have any other questions about dental hygiene or if you need to schedule an appointment.

The root canal treatment involves removal of the infected tissue and root channels. The hollowed cavity is then filled with an inert substance like gutta-percha. The infected pulp is removed by way of a metal file. Local anesthetic is generally administered and the patient experiences minimum discomfort during the treatment. After the operation the tooth is affixed with a cap or crown. Patients with a higher jaw pressure often need to be careful not to bite the tooth as the increased pressure impedes the healing process.

The success rate of the treatment depends on whether the infection has been removed thoroughly. If the dentist are unable to clean the interior parts of the tooth then the chances of the infection recurring are high. However, today the method has become more advanced with less time and more importantly less pain involved.

Our professional dental staff uses sophisticated techniques and tools like the use of microscopes. With the precision of these tools and advancement in technology the actual root canal surgery can take as less as an hour or so.

Root canal treatment becomes a viable option only when the pulp or inner soft tissue has been damaged by decay. A tooth with an abscess and swollen due to pus will almost always need a root canal treatment if not extraction. Root canal treatment is also considered as a preventive option where the tooth has cracked and the infection could spread to the interior. The dentist could remove the upper portion of the soft tissue which contains nerve fibers without operating on the canals. This preventive surgery is known as a pulpotomy. In case the tooth or molar is chipped then a simple cavity filling procedure is the best option. If you are experiencing any kind of pain or discomfort in your teeth contact us to set up an appointment.