We know no one enjoys filling out paperwork, but in any medical environment, all those questions about your medications and medical history are incredibly important. Most people acknowledge that they need to fill out paperwork at places like their GP or orthopedic, but at dental offices, paperwork is often left ignored and unfinished. Because people typically come to the dentist twice a year, it can feel more routine than going to other medical offices. This translates to people not feeling the need to mention things like new medications or recent surgeries. Your teeth don’t have much to do with the rest of your body, right? In reality, your overall health has a strong impact on the health of your teeth and gums. Even small changes to your …
Three Reasons You Should Replace Missing Teeth
The aesthetic benefits you get from replacing missing teeth are a good enough reason to start the process, but the impact goes way beyond that. Replacing lost teeth is crucial for your long-term oral health. Here are some of the reasons why patients should consider replacing missing teeth sooner rather than later: 1. Lost function and form are restored Teeth and their roots work in tandem to stabilize a person's bone structure and bite. When some teeth are missing, the teeth surrounding them are prone to shifting towards the gap created by the lost tooth. This can easily lead to crooked teeth alongside the hole in the person's smile. A tooth's roots serve an important role in keeping the bone structures in and around the jaw …
Periodontal Disease and COVID-19
From the beginning, doctors have known that COVID-19 is especially dangerous for high-risk groups, including older adults and people with underlying health conditions like heart disease and asthma. But research is still uncovering new risk factors, which now includes gum disease. The condition may affect up to half of American adults, and appears to be linked to a higher COVID-19 death rate, per a new study published earlier this month in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. In the study, researchers followed 568 patients infected with the novel coronavirus, dividing them into two groups: those without major issues (mild symptoms) and those who faced complications like ICU admission and ventilation or, eventually, death. They found …
What’s Better: A Dental Implant or a Bridge?
Tooth loss is extremely common. It’s estimated that 69 percent of adults 35 to 44 have lost at least one adult tooth. By age 74, about a quarter of Americans lose all of their adult teeth. When you lose a tooth, it’s essential to get a proper replacement to keep the rest of your teeth aligned. Replacement teeth can also help you maintain your facial shape and avoid difficulties with eating or speaking. Two of the most common options are dental bridges and implants. Dental bridges are false teeth held in place by the teeth around your missing tooth. They’re usually made from materials like porcelain or plastic to match your natural tooth color. They can cover one or several missing teeth. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots …
5 Benefits of Going to a Family Dentist
Board meetings. Conference calls. Dropping off and picking the kids up from daycare or school. Sporting events. Grocery shopping. Music lessons. We get it – as a family, you have a lot going on. And there’s nothing worse when booking things like dental appointments than thinking about having to schedule them with different providers only because one treats kids and one doesn’t. Did you know that general dentists typically only serve a specific age bracket? Family dentists, however, are able to provide services to individuals of all ages, making it easier for families to get quality care in one location without having to drive all over town. Read on to learn five benefits of going to a family dentist. 1. It makes dental care …
3 Reasons to Schedule a Dental Checkup
Your dental checkup is not only good for your health, it’s also good for your wallet. Preventive services, like checkups, are 100 percent covered by most dental plans. Yet, many people leave money on the table by not going to their dentist often. Here are three great reasons to keep regular checkups. You get the most value from your benefits. Among adults who’ve purchased an individual dental plan or have coverage through their employer, more than 36 percent won’t have a single claim over the course of a year, including almost 45 percent of those ages 19 to 34. Those unused benefits usually don’t roll over from year to year. When you schedule regular checkups, you take advantage of this valuable benefit. They often say, use or lose …
How to Use an Interdental Brush
Step-by-step instructions Make it a daily routine to brush between your teeth with an interdental brush. It will keep your mouth healthy and prevent gum inflammation and cavities. Interdental brushes can also be used for cleaning of implants and orthodontic appliances. Make interdental brushes part of your daily routine Did you know that a toothbrush can only reach 60% of the tooth surfaces? Dental plaque builds up between your teeth where a toothbrush does not reach. It is a good idea to use an interdental brush as part of your daily cleaning routine to prevent gum inflammation, cavities and bad breath. An interdental brush is a small brush specially designed to clean between your teeth, where a regular toothbrush does not …
A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Kids How to Brush Their Teeth
Your child doesn't have to be among the 42 percent of kids aged two through 11 years old with tooth decay, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. In fact, by learning where to begin when teaching kids to brush their teeth and building good dental hygiene habits, you can help your kids be among the 80 percent of kids who don't have untreated decayed teeth. Why It's Important for Kids to Get Started Early Caring for Their Teeth Starting good oral care when your child is at an early age is essential for the long-term health of their teeth. As a parent, you can teach your child how to brush and floss just by taking some key steps. Why Brushing Baby Teeth Is Important A healthy smile early on leads to a …
What are the Different Types of Teeth?
Over the course of your life, you will develop two different sets of teeth. As a baby, your primary teeth, often referred to as baby teeth, will come in. Over time, they will be replaced by your permanent teeth. You will develop 20 primary teeth and 32 permanent teeth which will develop in stages. There are five different types of teeth that will erupt over your lifetime, each with a different shape and a different function. Each tooth has an opposite on the other side of the mouth that will erupt at around the same time. Incisors The incisors are the eight teeth that are most visible in the front of the mouth. There are eight incisors in total, four on the top and four on the bottom. These are often called your front teeth. The …
Natural Teeth Whiteners: Fact vs. Myth
When it comes to teeth whitening, you may see many different methods featured online and in magazines—from oil pulling to charcoal, and even turmeric. It's no surprise that DIY whitening is top of mind, either. When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what they’d most like to improve their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. Healthy smiles come in many shades, though it's tempting to think ingredients in our own kitchens could hold the key to a brighter smile. Still, just because a method is natural doesn’t mean it’s healthy. In fact, DIY whitening can do more harm than good to your teeth. Here’s how: Fruits Myth: The approach maintains you can make your teeth whiter and brighter using household …