Wisdom teeth used to be considered a rite of passage of sorts, signifying the transition into young adulthood. However, wisdom teeth are more often considered a problem that causes increasing discomfort and complicates oral health care. In fact, because wisdom teeth cause so much trouble when they become impacted by other molars or your jawbone, they are among the most commonly extracted types of teeth. If your wisdom teeth are causing chronic discomfort, then schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible to find out if you should extract them. (more…)
3 Ways a Dental Crown Can Save Your Smile
Dental crowns are popular for several reasons. They’ve been around since the earliest forms of dentistry, and they continue to give patients a second chance after suffering tooth damage or severe decay. Today’s dental crowns come in a variety of materials and purposes to suit every patient’s unique needs. From complete cosmetic improvement to restoring or replacing a compromised tooth, a dental crown can save your smile in a variety of ways. (more…)
3 Reasons Why You Should Consider Veneers
You want your smile to look its best, but depending on how many cosmetic issues you have to deal with, improving it might seem like an ordeal. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry offers a number of different options for boosting your smile’s appeal, and veneers in particular can make the process simpler than you might have believed. There are several reasons why you should consider porcelain veneers, but the most popular reasons are because they’re impressively lifelike, minimally invasive, and highly versatile. (more…)
Is Sleep Apnea Interrupting Your Sleep?
Getting enough sleep is important for several reasons. You need sleep to stay energized and focused throughout the day, and your mind and body need the rest to rejuvenate your organs, tissues, and cells. But some influences, like sleep apnea, can deprive you of rest, even when you aren’t aware of it. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing in your sleep, forcing your body to wake up and breathe again. Even if you don’t realize that it’s happening, sleep apnea can continue interrupting your sleep, making it impossible to settle into the deep, R.E.M. stages of sleep that you need. (more…)
The Common Causes of Adult Tooth Loss
It happens so often as people get older that you might not even question it. But there are specific reasons for every case of adult tooth loss, and age is never one of them. In fact, the most common cause of adult tooth loss is gum disease—a condition that often results from inadequate hygiene and dental care. In other words, for most people, tooth loss is highly preventable. All it takes is a healthy understanding of what causes tooth loss and how to avoid those situations whenever possible. (more…)
Tips to Avoid Cavity Treatment
If you have a cavity already, then you should not try to avoid treatment. Otherwise, the cavity will only grow worse and make more extensive treatment necessary. However, if your tooth has yet to develop a cavity, then you have a good chance of avoiding it, and therefore avoiding the need for treatment to restore your tooth. The most important tip to avoid cavity treatment is to be consistent with good hygiene and regular visits to your dentist, which is easier than many people realize. (more…)
Common Questions About Gum Contouring
There are several options for improving your smile, and many of them focus on building up or restoring the appearance of your teeth. However, your smile’s appearance may be affected by more than just your teeth; for instance, excessive or uneven gum tissues can make your smile seem crooked even if your teeth are straight. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry includes ways to improve all aspects of your smile’s appearance, including contouring to improve your gum line. If you have questions about gum contouring and whether or not it’s right for you, then ask your dentist about it the next time you visit! (more…)
Lessons About Teeth-Grinding
Even when you’re diligent about keeping your teeth clean and healthy, you might not always consider every threat to your smile. For instance, patients with bruxism may not realize that their teeth are a danger to themselves, and that without treatment, they may experience a number of increasingly worse dental health issues. Bruxism is the clinical name for persistent teeth-grinding, and because it happens most often at night, you might not realize that you have it. Therefore, the most important lesson about teeth-grinding is to recognize its symptoms, dangers, and possible treatments so you can be better prepared to save your smile. (more…)
Answering Your Questions About Dental Implants
Despite modern dentistry’s best efforts, tooth loss still remains a significant concern for millions of people. The prospect of losing one or more teeth can seem less stressful if you know what to do afterward to rebuild your smile. However, many patients don’t know their options, or the fact that dental implants may be their best one. Today, we answer some of your more common questions about dental implants and how they do more than any other dental prosthetic for the long-term health and integrity of your smile. (more…)
What Everyone Should Know About Root Canals
For most people, visiting the dentist isn’t much of an ordeal, but when told that they need root canal treatment, many patients will still hesitate or wonder if there is a better alternative. The good news is that root canal therapy’s bad rap is undeserved. The procedure is typically quick and minimally invasive, and in addition to restoring your tooth, it also alleviates the intense discomfort caused by the infection in your tooth. The most important thing everyone should know about root canals, however, is that the treatment may be your best option for saving your tooth before extraction becomes necessary. (more…)