Repair Your Teeth with Dental Crowns

Posted on December 30, 2012 by dentist

Your oral health and comfort can be jeopardized when your teeth sustain damage. Deep cracks, severe pain, and possible tooth loss can occur if you don’t receive treatment for a structurally unstable tooth. If your tooth needs more than a regular filling to restore its integrity, your dentist may choose a dental crown. Also called a cap, a dental crown fits securely over any tooth structure above the gum line.

Depending on the extent of damage and the location of the tooth, your dentist will place a ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), or metal crown. Usually, porcelain crowns are recommended for teeth that are visible when you smile. Because the human bite can exert about 50 pounds of pressure in the back of the mouth, the chewing force can be as powerful as 200 lbs, which could destroy a ceramic crown. Typically, all-metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or zirconia crowns are used for back teeth.

Sometimes, damage occurs to a tooth that doesn’t need a crown, but is too severe for a filling. Inlays and onlays offer a good solution. Constructed from solid ceramic or metal materials, these partial crowns are stronger than traditional fillings. Inlays cover the cusps (bumps) on top of a tooth; onlays fit over a cusp and down the side of the tooth.

Crown placement usually takes two appointments. At the first visit, your dentist will remove the damaged tissue, reshape the tooth, and take impressions for the custom restoration. Your doctor will also place a temporary crown. Final placement will occur at the second appointment, once the dental office receives the permanent restoration.

Dental Crowns dentist in La Canada CA

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Helping Your Baby with Teething

Posted on December 15, 2012 by dentist

Seeing your child in pain is difficult for any parent, so we all try to protect our kids from hurting. Unfortunately, teething is a normal part of your baby’s development; however, this time can be trying for both children and parents. Understanding the process and discovering how to soothe your little one can make teething go more smoothly.

When do children start teething?
Most of the time, baby teeth come in between the ages of three and 12 months. The bottom front teeth erupt first, followed by the four upper front teeth.

How can I tell if my child is teething?
The most common signs include fussiness, drooling, slightly swollen gums, and changes in appetite. Generally, the peak of unpleasantness hits between four and six months. After this point, babies tend to become accustomed to the teething sensations.

What can I do to comfort my baby?
Hard, cold teething rings will help sore gums. Make sure the toys are put in the refrigerator not the freezer because frozen objects may cause tissue damage. Gently massaging your child’s gums may also provide some pain relief.

Should I be worried if my baby doesn’t have any teeth yet?
Typically, your child will cut his or her first teeth by 12 months. Often, the age that the first tooth breaks through is hereditary, so if you or your spouse got teeth at six months, your baby will likely follow suit. If no teeth have appeared by 14 months, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist to make sure there are no problems delaying the eruption of the primary teeth.

Pediatric Dentistry La Canada California

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How Your Teeth Develop

Posted on November 30, 2012 by dentist

Although the exact timing differs, everyone develops teeth in a similar way. There’s usually a specific pattern to tooth eruption, and certain elements of each tooth. It’s interesting to not only know how to take care of your teeth, but also how you got them in the first place.

Here are some facts about your teeth:
•    People have two sets of teeth. Primary (or baby) teeth develop first, followed by permanent (or adult) teeth later.
•    Teeth usually erupt like a mirror; for example, the top molar on your right side should appear at about the same time as the left one.
•    Teeth begin to form long before they can be seen or felt. Even though a baby’s first tooth appears at about six months old, it began developing during the second trimester of pregnancy.
•    A tooth’s crown develops first, but its roots keep growing after the tooth comes through.
•    By age 3, the 20 primary teeth have usually grown in and remain in place until about 6 years old. They then start to fall out to allow permanent teeth to erupt.
•    Between 6 and 12 years of age, permanent teeth develop. Most adults have 32 permanent teeth.

There are two main parts of each tooth: the crown is the visible part, and the root is below the gums. The root holds the tooth in place. Your teeth have four kinds of tissue, each performing a unique role. These include:
•    Enamel – the covering on the outside of the tooth’s crown. It is very hard, and protects the tooth from decay.
•    Dentin – the layer under the enamel. Even though it looks like bone, dentin is not as hard as enamel. It is at more risk for decay if the enamel wears away.
•    Cementum – the tissue covering the tooth’s root and helping to anchor it to the bone. It is soft and light yellow, but is usually covered by the gums. Taking good care of your gums is important so that the cementum is not exposed to plaque and bacteria.
•    Pulp – the tissue located at the tooth’s center. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves, which allows delivery of nutrients and signals to your teeth.

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Medications and your Dry Mouth

Posted on November 15, 2012 by dentist

It’s often bad enough that you have to take medicine in the first place, but it’s even worse when they have uncomfortable side effects. Many medications affect your oral health, with one of the most common negative side effects being a dry mouth. It’s important to be aware of what medicines might dry your mouth out, and ways to relieve that symptom if it develops.

What medicines can cause dry mouth?

There are over 400 medicines that have been known to cause dry mouth. The most common types of medicines that promote this side effect are:

•    Antihistamines
•    Decongestants
•    High blood pressure medicines
•    Antidepressants
•    Sedatives
•    Pain relievers
•    Parkinson’s disease medicines
•    Antacids

Can dry mouth hurt my teeth?
Having a consistently dry mouth can negatively affect your oral health. Saliva washes away food particles and bacteria in your mouth. If you don’t have enough saliva to help clean your mouth, you’ll be more likely to develop tooth decay and gum infections.

What can I do to relieve my symptoms?
The first thing you should do is ask your doctor if there are medication alternatives that would treat your medical problem but not promote dry mouth. It that isn’t possible, here are some ideas about how to relieve your symptoms of dry mouth:

•    Sip water or another sugarless drink often during the day.
•    Reduce or cut out caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and tobacco since each of these contributes to dry mouth.
•    Drink water or sugar-free drink while eating to aid chewing and swallowing.
•    Suck on sugarless candy or gum, which encourages saliva production.
•    Avoid spicy and salty foods, because they can cause pain in a dry mouth.
•    Use a humidifier while sleeping.
•    Ask your doctor or dentist about artificial saliva products.

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Vitamins That Help Your Teeth

Posted on October 30, 2012 by dentist

Healthy teeth are maintained not only by proper hygiene, but also by eating a nutritious diet. Certain vitamins and minerals promote oral health. In order to keep your smile strong and attractive, try including these ingredients in your diet.

Vitamin A
Your tooth enamel contains a protein called keratin, which needs vitamin A in order to form. This means that vitamin A strengthens your enamel. It also boosts your immune system, helping to fight infections in your mouth. Some foods with vitamin A are beef, eggs, liver, salmon, fortified milk, and some cheeses.

Vitamin C
Also called ascorbic acid, vitamin C is vital in developing, maintaining, and repairing your body’s tissues, bones, and teeth. Studies show that people consuming lower amounts of vitamin C are more likely to have gum disease. Because vitamin C is water-soluble, it is washed from the body once it has all it needs, making it necessary to access this vitamin daily. Some sources of vitamin C are fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, and spinach.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an important role in helping your body absorb and use calcium, which is responsible for strong, healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D can be supplemented or received through exposure to sunlight. It is also found in some foods like fortified cereals and milk, egg yolks, and fish.

Calcium
Calcium is a crucial mineral needed to create and maintain your teeth and bones. You must supply your body calcium in your diet to ensure good health. Calcium is obtained in foods like cheese, milk, leafy green vegetables, and yogurt.

Vitamin K
This vitamin strengthens your tooth enamel by helping to bind calcium to your teeth and bones. It can also avert tooth decay by preventing acid from hanging onto your teeth. Vitamin A is found in soybeans, dairy products, and green vegetables.

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Dentures Becoming More Popular

Posted on October 15, 2012 by dentist

The population of the United States is growing, with over 40 million adults over age 65. A common health problem that seniors face is receding gums, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated properly. That’s why many older adults wear dentures, in order to restore the function and appearance of their teeth.

What are dentures?
Dentures replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. You may require complete dentures when all of your teeth are absent, or partial dentures when some of your natural teeth are still in place. Dentures are removable for cleaning purposes, and also at night to allow your gums to rest and to have normal cleaning and stimulation by your saliva and tongue.

Who needs dentures?
Your gum tissue recedes as you age, which exposes the roots of your teeth. This makes them more susceptible to decay and infection. On average, people receive their first set of dentures in their mid-50s, and almost 50 million Americans wear some type of dentures.

Do dentures hurt?
Dentures might feel unusual in the beginning, but you will adjust to them in a few weeks. Your facial muscles or oral tissues will adapt, and your tongue will learn to keep them in place. Then your dentures should feel very comfortable. It’s not unusual to experience minor mouth irritation or soreness at first, and an increased flow of saliva. These problems will go away as you adjust. You will get used to eating with your dentures in a relatively short time also.

What are the keys to success with dentures?
It is vital to practice good oral care and visit your dentist for regular checkups. If you have any problems or concerns, be sure to consult your dentist so that your experience wearing dentures can be pleasant and you can maintain the best smile possible.

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A Familiar Fairy Tale

Posted on September 26, 2012 by dentist

One of the rites of passage that many children look forward to is losing their first tooth, followed by their first visit from the Tooth Fairy. Not every family follows this tradition, but it’s estimated that 84 percent of families in the United States do. Have you ever wondered about how this custom started and its history through the years?

When children begin losing baby teeth at about age six, most parents instruct them to place the tooth under their pillow before going to sleep that night. The tradition holds that the Tooth Fairy will visit and replace the lost tooth with a gift, usually money. Most parents believe the purpose of the Tooth Fairy is to provide something for kids to look forward to when losing a tooth, especially because some children are frightened about losing teeth.

However, the Tooth Fairy didn’t begin with this purpose. The legend dates back many centuries, most often associated with the Vikings, and is linked to fighting off evil spirits. The Vikings thought that children’s teeth held powers, so they paid children a fee in exchange for their teeth and put them on necklaces to wear during battle for good luck. Later, European children buried their lost teeth to hide them from witches, who they suspected wanted teeth in order to increase their powers and place curses on children. Another legend says that the Tooth Fairy started as a mouse, which was thought to run across the land collecting lost teeth.

Depending on the particular myth, it is believed that as the population grew and land become less available, parents encouraged children to hide their teeth under their pillows instead of burying them. Parents then removed the tooth during the night, and left a treat such as money in its place.

Whatever the reasons are behind the Tooth Fairy, it is clear that the legend has endured for many years and will likely hang on for many more.

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Gum Care

Posted on September 16, 2012 by dentist

It’s easy to concentrate on getting your teeth clean so that you avoid cavities, but it’s important to also pay attention to your gums. They are not only important to your dental health, but also your whole body. Gum disease can lead to many problems, even tooth loss, and unhealthy gums have also been linked to health issues like heart disease and stroke. Take the following steps to keep your gums healthy so that you can reap the benefits in your whole wellbeing.

Brush
At least twice a day, brush your teeth using fluoride toothpaste. Clean every side of your teeth and brush your tongue. Consider using an electric toothbrush with rotating and oscillating action, because experts say it’s better at removing plaque than a manual toothbrush. With any toothbrush you use, don’t apply too much pressure or brush too vigorously because it can damage your gums.

Chew gum
If you can’t brush your teeth right away, chew sugarless gum containing xylitol.

Floss
Floss your teeth gently at least once every day, getting between your teeth and along your gum line. Try dental threaders or other tools if that’s easier for you.

Rinse
Use an antiseptic or a fluoride mouthwash to rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing and flossing.

Check your progress
Consider using disclosing tablets occasionally to see if you are brushing well enough. These chewable tablets color any plaque left on your teeth, so that you can see if you are doing a good job. You can find disclosing tablets at most drugstores.

Visit your dentist
See your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Be sure to tell your dentist if you’ve been experiencing any signs of gum problems, such as bleeding or swelling.

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Why Are My Teeth So Sensitive?

Posted on August 28, 2012 by dentist

If you experience tooth pain or discomfort when eating sweets or ice cream, drinking cold or hot beverages, or just contacting cold air, you are suffering from tooth sensitivity. It is a very common complaint, with at least forty million American adults experiencing this sensation. It causes many people to change their eating, drinking, and breathing habits. It’s helpful to learn why your teeth might be overly sensitive, and to find out what you can do to allow you to resume the lifestyle that you would like.

Why does it hurt?

Normally, the tooth layer called dentin that surrounds the nerve at the center of your tooth is covered by enamel and gums. Dentin contains many tubes that run from outside your tooth to the nerve inside your tooth. When dentin is exposed, the tubes can be affected by temperature changes or by certain foods. The tubes carry the message to the nerve, which causes the discomfort you feel.

What causes it?

Exposure of dentin and tooth sensitivity can happen from a variety of factors, such as:
• Gum recession from age or improper brushing
• Gum disease that leads to receding gums
• Tooth grinding
• Brushing with an abrasive toothpaste or hard toothbrush
• Acidic beverages that erode enamel
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Teeth whitening
• Untreated cavities or worn fillings

What can I do about it?

The first thing to do is see your dentist for help identifying the cause of your sensitivity. Then, some steps may be recommended to help reduce your discomfort:

• Using a soft bristled toothbrush
• Learning proper brushing techniques
• Changing to a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth
• Getting treatment for teeth grinding
• Having sealants applied by your dentist
• Reducing your intake of acidic foods and beverages
• Getting tooth restorations or fillings as needed

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Replacing Metal Fillings

Posted on August 12, 2012 by dentist

Cavities were once typically filled with a silver compound called amalgam, which was used because it was strong and could repair areas weakened by tooth decay. In recent years, composite resin has become more popular as the material used for dental fillings. It serves the same purpose, but provides other benefits that amalgam does not. Some people not only choose composite resin when getting new fillings, but also have metal (or amalgam) fillings replaced with composite resin.

Why replace metal fillings?

The main reasons that patients consider replacing their metal fillings include:

• Tooth sensitivity – some patients complain that they feel discomfort near their metal fillings when eating cold foods.
• Concerns about mercury – there is a common but untrue belief that the mercury levels in metal fillings might be poisonous. Researchers have proven this to be false, reporting that metal fillings are safe.
• Inadequate bonding – due to the makeup of metal fillings, sometimes they do not fully bond to the tooth and need replacing to treat the cavity most effectively.
• Additional decay – if old fillings develop more decay or break, it is necessary to have the filling replaced. Patients may choose whether to replace the metal filling with composite resin, or to have a metal filling placed in the tooth again.

Are there benefits to using composite resin?

The main benefit of composite resin is that it can be colored to match the surrounding teeth perfectly. Many patients choose this option because it is aesthetically pleasing, with fillings often being unseen. Also, composite resin fillings require less tooth area to be removed. This allows dentists to keep as much of the original tooth as possible. Another benefit is that composite resin fillings do not change shape or crack.

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