General Dentistry

Feb 26 2020

This Study Says that Wine May Help Fight Dental Plaque

Do you enjoy having a glass of wine with your dinner every now and then? Well, it turns out your supposed vice might actually endear several health benefits as well.

You’re probably already aware of the fact that wine helps in preventing breakouts, reduces the risk of liver disease, dwindles cancer risks, lowers your cholesterol, regulates blood sugar level, lowers the risk of developing diabetes, and also aids in improving the functions of your brain, heart, and bones. In addition to all these benefits, a new study has revealed that wine also helps in fighting against dental plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease.

The study found that wine has compounds known as polyphenols, which help in fighting dangerous bacteria in our mouth. Studies in the past have revealed that since these compounds are antioxidants, they help in protecting the body against harmful free radicals. Recent research suggests that they also improve your health by working with the good bacteria in your gut.

In the study, a comparison was made between the effects of two polyphenols, along with grape seed and red wine extracts, and their impact was studied on bacteria that stick to your teeth and gums and cause dental plaque, cavities, and periodontal disease. It was then found that while the wine polyphenols and extracts helped in reducing the ability of the bacteria to stick to the cells, the polyphenols, on the other hand, which were the caffeic and p-coumaric acids, proved to be more effective.

When the polyphenols are combined with an oral probiotic known as the Streptococcus dentist, they work even better in fighting the pathogenic bacteria. Researchers said that there are some metabolites that are formed when the digestion of the polyphenols begins, and it’s what could be responsible for the antibacterial properties of wine.

Jan 26 2020

Conditions that can lead to Tooth Pain

Did you know that chronic tooth pain can alter the way one talks? And not only that, it can change one’s demeanor and personality with time. For example, an individual with an exuberant nature can become withdrawn and cranky if they are dealing with consistent tooth pain.

But tooth pain doesn’t just happen. It’s a culmination of a number of things. Some causes of toothaches are common like a dental cavity or trauma to the jaw. Here are the four main conditions that lead to tooth pain.

An abscess

An abscessed tooth can be excruciatingly painful. This is an infection within the tooth that has found its way to the roots of the tooth. The infection causes the roots of the tooth to be inflamed resulting in swelling and pain. This condition is characterized by a lesion in the gum that is filled with pus. The bacteria causing the infection to enter the dental pulp through a crack or chip in the tooth. An abscessed tooth can be remedied through a root canal.

Drug abuse

Drug addicts tend to have bad teeth because of their drug use. Methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy and even marijuana that is now legal in some states contribute to dry mouth which leads to tooth decay and dental cavities. Ultimately, drug addicts have toothaches as a result of their addiction.

Also, these drugs cause one to clench their teeth or grind their teeth against each other making the jaw and teeth susceptible to pain and weak with time. Unfortunately, some prescription medication for conditions like medication for blood pressure can also cause dry mouth contributing to dental cavities. Also, chemotherapy can have the same effect.
Trauma

Injury or trauma to the mouth or jaw can result in the loosening of teeth. Loose teeth are painful to touch and because the mouth is constantly active they can be constantly brushed against causing the pain to be continuous.

Damaged filling

If the filing in a tooth comes off or cracks exposing the dental pulp one becomes prone to toothaches as cold and hot substances enter the cavity and irritate the pulp. The solution is to refill the cavity and hide the exposed nerve endings in the tooth and this can be done by the dentist in a series of visit depending on the scale of damage to the filling. In most cases, the dentist needs to do the refilling all over again including cleaning the tooth to ensure that food particles do not get trapped inside.

Nov 26 2019

How Coffee Creates Stains on Your Teeth

Most people would find it extremely hard to start their day on the right foot without a strong cup of coffee. And while there’s no harm in enjoying a daily cup of morning coffee, it’s imperative to know the effects of the beverage on teeth.

Coffee is one of the world’s leading beverages with a whopping 400 million cups of coffee consumed by Americans annually. It’s also one of the leading causes of tooth discoloration.

How does coffee stain teeth?

Although coffee does provide much-needed stimulus in the morning to get the body’s senses going, it does contain tannins. Tannins are a group of bitter and astringent compounds found in plants such as coffee, teas, and wine, all of which cause staining on teeth in varying degrees. Of all these, coffee is the leading culprit of teeth staining owing to its popularity.

The coffee stains on teeth occur over time for coffee enthusiasts as the tannin builds up on the enamel. In time the teeth become visibly discolored. Discolored or yellowing teeth can cause one to smile self consciously. Fortunately, no one should have to endure discolored teeth as a result of coffee because a visit to the local dentist should be able to restore coffee teeth to glistening white.

The enamel of the teeth is indeed the hardest substance in the human body. However, contrary to what most people think, it’s not as smooth and flat as it appears. Upon close inspection with a microscope, the tooth enamel reveals microscopic pits and ridges. These minute crooks and crannies on the enamel can accumulate particles of food and drink. Tannins from coffee accumulate over time and embed themselves into these enamel spaces to cause discoloration.

Can discoloration of teeth from coffee be prevented?

Well, the answer is yes, coffee teeth are preventable. Giving up coffee is not exactly an option for a majority of coffee drinkers. However, one of the solutions is having scheduled coffee breaks that allow one to rinse their mouth or better yet brush their teeth to get rid of any tannins embedded in the teeth enamel.

If one already has coffee teeth, fret not! That’s because a competent dentist can restore the bright white smile in place once again through teeth whitening. They do that by cleaning the teeth thoroughly using specialized solutions as well as equipment.

Conclusion

Rinsing the mouth or brushing teeth after enjoying a cup of coffee is an excellent way of preventing coffee teeth. Coffee lovers can stay ahead of coffee teeth and maintain a brilliant smile by regular visits to the dentist for a thorough session of teeth cleaning.

Oct 22 2019

How to Best Treat a Chipped Tooth

Chipped teeth are painful when it happens, and do not look great – especially if it’s front and center.

Whether you’ve chipped your tooth from a slip and fall, or by bumping into a beer bottle a little too hard. A chipped tooth needs to be taken care of.

So what should you do the moment you’ve got a chipped tooth?

Firstly, it should get looked at by a dentist because a chipped tooth is trauma and is not great for both your tooth as well as the gums surrounding it.

In the meantime, take any pain killers to dull the pain and rinse your mouth with saltwater. If the chip results in a sharp edge then to prevent your tooth from accidentally cutting your lip or cheek, it’s good practice to use chewing gum or wax paraffin to protect it.

Eat soft foods when possible, and avoid anything extremely cold as the tooth will be very sensitive.

Once at the dentist, your dentist will recommend a few ways to treat the chipped tooth, these are:

Bonding or Filling

Common chips are easily fixed using what’s known as dental fillings. This is a tooth-colored filling resin that essentially plugs the gap left in the broken tooth. The bonding material is used when the chip is more extensive and this material can be shaped to look much more natural.

Today, dental bonding or filling materials have gotten better to the point where it’s barely noticeable if they’ve been used to mask a chip.

Veneers

Veneers are porcelain or composite shells that completely cover the front of a tooth to give it a fresh new look. It will hide the broken tooth underneath it.

This treatment is much more expensive and involves a more elaborate procedure where the thin layer of enamel is removed from the original tooth, and then an impression of the tooth is used to develop the veneers. These veneers are then etched onto the surface using adhesive cement.

Root Canal

Root Canal is a much more advanced and complicated procedure. Because of this, it’s only used if a chip was extensive and has exposed nerves of blood vessels in the tooth, which can be prone to infection. This will result in root canal therapy followed by a full crown to help strengthen the damaged tooth.

Crowns

Crowns, as mentioned above, are a great way to strengthen a broken tooth. They are similar to veneers and are made from either ceramic, metal, or porcelain. The treatment process is more elaborate and involves two or three visits to have them made and fixed. Typically they’ll match the color of the tooth and cover the top of the tooth entirely that has been damaged.

Jul 28 2019

Replacing Missing Teeth Makes You Look Younger

Whatever your age, nothing makes a greater first impression than a beautiful smile. Unfortunately, not all mouths are created equal. If you happen to have one or more missing teeth, there are solutions available. And one of the most effective, hassle-free, and most natural-looking alternatives to uncomfortable dentures or partials is dental implants.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is an artificial root commonly made of titanium metal, that serves as a replacement for the root of your natural tooth. It is installed directly into the jawbone. Then, an artificial replacement tooth is attached to the implant, serving as an anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants are strong, solid and function just like real teeth. When it comes to recapturing the confidence associated with that youthful smile, there really is no greater option.

Are you a candidate for dental implants?

The best way to determine if dental implants are right for you would be to talk to your dentist. However, as a rule of thumb, if you are in good general health, have relatively healthy gums and sufficient bone within the jaw to hold an implant, you are likely a great candidate.

Where can you get dental implants?

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, your dentist can likely refer you to a dental specialist with specific training—these are usually ‘periodontists’ or ‘oral surgeons’. Specialists who place crowns, bridges and dentures on implants are called ‘prosthodontists’.

What can you expect at your initial assessment?

During your initial, non-invasive assessment, your dental specialist will carefully examine your mouth and bite, followed by some routine x-rays of your head and jaw. Based on these results, it will be determined whether or not dental implants are right for you. While no two assessment appointments are alike, dental implant technology is making the process easier for all patients across North America—from consultation to installation to restoration. Having the right specialist on your side is key.

Caring for dental implants

Since dental implants are placed in the jawbone, artificial replacement teeth attached to implants resemble and act just like natural teeth. And, like natural teeth, implants must be kept clean using proper oral care, including brushing and flossing. Your specialist will demonstrate proper cleaning techniques once your implants are in place. It is important to maintain regular dental checkups—not just for upkeep, but also, your dentist will want to monitor your adjustment to the implants and periodically check on the positioning of your bite. This is to ensure that your implants are not becoming loose.

Regardless of age, you should feel confident every time you open your mouth. You deserve to look as young as you feel, and there is no greater way of recapturing the look of a beautiful and healthy smile than with safe, effective dental implants. Speak with your dentist or oral care specialist today—and get ready to see a new and improved you.