General Dentistry

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.

Jul 11 2019

Calcium and How it Affects Teeth

Strong teeth and bones are important for overall health.

One important factor in keeping your teeth strong and healthy is calcium.

Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body. It can be found in certain foods and is also added to vitamins and other dietary supplements as it is such an important mineral that the body needs.

Almost all of the calcium found in the human body is stored in the bones and teeth. In addition to strengthening teeth and bones, calcium is also important for the body’s blood vessels, muscles, and fluids.

Calcium works to help blood vessels and muscles function properly.

Having enough calcium is important for people of all ages contrary to some beliefs.

Babies and young children need calcium to develop strong teeth and bones while adults need calcium to maintain healthy teeth and a strong skeleton

Effects of Being Deficient in Calcium

Being deficient in calcium can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis, which causes the bones to weaken, making them break more easily.

Osteoporosis does not just affect bones; it can also affect teeth as it can cause the jaw bone to become weak, a problem that may require bone grafting to solve.

The jaw bone is an anchor for your teeth so if it becomes damaged, it is more likely that teeth will loosen and possibly fall out. Women, in particular, are three times more likely to lose their teeth if they have osteoporosis than those with healthy bones.

Along with osteoporosis, not getting enough calcium can increase your risk of periodontal disease.

Studies have shown that people who do not have enough calcium in their diet are more than fifty percent more likely to develop gum disease than people who have enough calcium in their diet.

Recommended Calcium Intake Across All Ages

Not everyone needs the same amount of calcium. The National Academy of Sciences recommends different dietary intakes based on gender and age.

For instance, children and pregnant women need more calcium than adults.

Babies 0-12 Months – 200mg-260mg
Children 1-3 Years – 700mg
Children 4-8 Years – 1,000mg
Children & Teens 9-18 Years – 1,300mg
Adults 19-71 Years – 1,000mg
Adults 71+ Years – 1,200mg

Calcium-Rich Foods

If it is determined that you need more calcium in your diet, there are certain foods you can consume that are rich in calcium.

Dairy products such as

Milk
Yogurt
Cheese

Other sources include:

Green, leafy vegetables
Cereals that have been fortified with calcium.
A daily multivitamin is also a good idea as most of them contain calcium.

How To Keep Teeth Healthy

In addition to eating foods that contain calcium, sugary snacks and drinks should be avoided as the sugar can eat away at the enamel on the teeth, potentially causing decay.

It is also important to brush and floss regularly and schedule regular visits to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned and deal with any issues that may arise before they get worse. Schedule a routine

cleaning on the Bedford Dental website.

Jul 02 2019

What to Do if Your Crown Has Come Off

Losing a crown can be an unsettling and alarming event—not to mention, painful. Your filling may have fallen out for any number of reasons: it may have become loose and dislodged as a result of chewing hard or sticky food, or you may have experienced trauma to your face as the result of an accident. Worse, you may (unknowingly) be experiencing tooth decay as a result of gingivitis, which can cause your temporary filling to lose support.

Whatever the scenario, once a crown has fallen out of place, it is important that you take steps to address the remaining area. If neglected, food particles and bacteria can enter the gums, making your situation even worse.

Here are a few steps you should take if your crown falls out:

If possible, hang on to the crown

Once you’ve discovered that your crown has become dislodged, remove it completely from your mouth (so as not swallow it or choke). After you remove it, keep it and bring with you to your dentist so that they can assess whether it can be repurposed.

Call your dentist—right away

This may seem like a standard response, however, many do not recognize the importance of having a specialist correct your issue promptly. Call your dentist and book the earliest available appointment (let the receptionist know your situation, as they may be able to fit you in on the same day).

Protect your mouth with a replacement filling

While you wait for your dental appointment, you must protect your broken tooth at all costs.

If you have kept the crown, you may be able to coat it with dental cement (available at most drugstores) and place it back over the opening as a quick fix—be extra careful while eating and drinking. You can also pick up dental wax from your dentist’s office. This substance provides a temporary barrier from food debris and bacteria. No matter what, always keep your mouth clean. Brush and rinse more than usual until you can see your dentist.

Work through the pain

Oftentimes, when a crown falls out, it can leave the nerves exposed to the elements, creating intense pain and sensitivity. Over-the-counter medication can prove helpful (always take as directed), but should not be viewed as a long-term solution. Many homeopathic remedies exist for the treating of light to severe toothaches but exercise caution when applying any topical analgesic.

Eating: proceed with caution

It goes without saying—if you are experiencing a broken crown, be sure to chew all food on the opposite side of the affected tooth until you can get it replaced (you will probably find it too painful to use the damaged side anyways). But that’s not all. You will need to monitor the types of foods you consume while awaiting your dental appointment. Try to avoid anything that can cause further damage, decay or pain, including:

-Foods and drinks with high sugar content (candy, soda, certain cereals, etc.)

-Foods and drinks with extreme temperatures (coffee, tea, soups, etc.)

-Hard foods (whole apples, corn on the cob, etc.)

-Foods and drinks that are highly acidic (oranges, citrus juices, etc.)

Know that you know the facts, you can hopefully rest assured that a fallen crown is not the end of the world. Don’t panic, call your dentist and take extra measures to keep your mouth clean!