Over Bleaching Can Ruin your Smile

The most popular restorative dental procedure on the planet can work wonders for stained or yellow teeth, but according to your dentist, if tooth-whitening products are used daily, you could be asking for trouble.

Ten years ago, most people had no idea what tooth whitening was. However, that has certainly changed with dozens of over the counter tooth bleaching kits available to anyone who has the desire to whiten their smile. Tooth whitening toothpaste is now more popular than those that contain fluoride.  

When used correctly professional custom-made tooth whitening kits and even products available from your local pharmacy will give you a brighter grin. The American Dental Association recommends that you use an over the counter product for no more than two weeks and your custom-made bleaching kit from your dentist as recommended. Power bleaching, or chair side tooth whitening, should only be done once or twice a year at the most.

Over bleaching your teeth can cause sensitivity. In fact, some suffer from sharp pains that can happen out of the blue. If you bleach your teeth too often, you may also become sensitive to hot and cold when you eat or drink. Some people may experience burning gums, mild tingling, or even intense pain known as, “Zingers.”

Other problems that can occur with over whitening, or, “Bleachorexia,” are bluish enamel, transparent teeth and gum sensitivity. Some people who believe that their teeth are never white enough could also be causing internal damage because of a cracked tooth or an undetected cavity. Not only will this cause pain, but it may mean an emergency trip to the dentist’s office for a root canal.

Your dentist recommends that you aim for a color that will match the whites of your eyes. Anything whiter and you run the risk of going overboard.

Thankfully you don’t have to resort to ancient tooth whitening techniques such as ground pumice and wine vinegar used by the Greeks, or urine, which was a favorite tooth whitening treatment used by the Romans. These days there are plenty of products that will give you a beautiful smile, just be sure to follow the instructions if you are using an over the counter product or a tooth whitening kit from your dentist.

For more information regarding tooth whitening or any other dental restoration procedure, including dental veneers or dental bonding, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine was is best for your needs.

Can Poor Oral Hygiene Affect your Memory?

If your memory seems to be slowing you down with misplaced reader’s part of your daily routine, it may have something to do with your oral hygiene habits. A recent study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill indicates that bleeding gums and tooth loss may also affect thinking skills for people over the age of 45.

During the study, Gary Slade, co-author of the study, stated that, “We were interested to see if people with poor dental health had relatively poorer cognitive function.” In other words, how do your numbers and word management measure up when it comes to your memory. What the study discovered is mind-boggling.

Mr. Slade added, “What we found was that for every extra tooth that a person had lost or had removed, cognitive function went down a bit.” He also went on to say that, “People who had none of their teeth had poorer cognitive function that people who did have teeth, and people with fewer teeth had poorer cognition than those with more. The same was true when we looked at patients with severe gum disease.”

With analyzed data that was gathered from 1996 to 1998 with 6,000 men and women between the ages of 45 and 64, the authors and researchers discovered that the numbers for the thinking, memory, word fluency, word recall and skill with numbers tests was lower for people who had no natural teeth.

The study discovered that thirteen percent of those who participated had no natural teeth. Of those who had teeth, about one-fifth of the study had fewer than twenty remaining teeth. Over twelve percent had serious gum disease with deep gum pockets and bleeding gums.

The researchers of the study also discovered that folks who had more teeth and healthier gum tissue scored better on the tests.

As far as which came first, the chicken or the egg, researchers say that a poor diet lacking in foods that are rich in antioxidants could also be to blame for poor memory health. Combine the two and you may not be able to remember what day it is.

Because gingivitis and periodontitis inflames the gums, most doctors and dentists agree that the disease travels throughout your entire system, which will affect cognitive behavior and cognition.

If your memory isn’t what it used to be and you can’t remember the last time you saw your dentist, schedule an appointment with Country Club Dentistry today.  

Root Canal Therapy Can Be Avoided

If those two little words, “Root Canal,” make you cringe with fear, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist, especially if you have been avoiding that nasty little toothache.

As with most things, prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you avoid the situation and do not take care of your tooth sensitivity, pain or swelling you could make the situation worse as the majority of the time a Root Canal could have been prevented had you scheduled regular checkups with your dentist in Rancho Mirage.

Root Canal Therapy is necessary when the pulp inside of your tooth is diseased or has died. If left to its own devices a diseased tooth could cause serious pain and become infected. Once infection sets in you could be asking for an abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth needs to be taken care of as quickly as possible as the infection could go to other parts of your body, and in some cases, according to the American Dental Association, could send you straight to the ER.

Root Canal Therapy, also known as Endodontic therapy is a treatment used to remove the infection from the roots in your teeth. The roots in your teeth are filled with nerves, blood vessels, and tissue that can sometimes become infected if the tooth has become decayed. Root Canal Therapy removes the pulp from your tooth using dental tools that actually decontaminate the roots. Once the roots are hallowed, your dentist will get rid of the infection using dental files to widen the root canals. This process removes infected tissue and debris while helping save the tooth. After the roots have been filed, your dentist may treat the infection with an antibiotic before filling with an inert material.

Depending on the severity of the infection, your dentist may fill the tooth with a temporary crown to allow the infection to heal with antibiotics. If this is not necessary, your tooth will be permanently filled before being topped with a dental crown.   

If you have persistent pimples on your gums or around a tooth or teeth, experience swelling or a nagging toothache, you may need Root Canal Therapy.

Don’t wait until it is too late. Schedule an appointment with your dentist in Rancho Mirage who can determine if Root Canal Therapy is necessary. 

Steps to a Whiter and Brighter Smile

Your smile says a lot about you, and if yours is preventing you from expressing yourself, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

The American Academyof Cosmetic Dentistry explains that over 96% of people who responded to a recent survey believed that a beautiful smile was more appealing. In fact, a white and bright smile can even make you look younger. Of course, good oral health goes above and beyond looks.

The mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body and if you do not brush twice, floss once each day and see your dentist twice a year, the rest of your health could be suffering.

According to yourdentist, there are some steps that you can take to improve your smile.

Brushing truly is the most important step when it comes to good oral hygiene as it removes the food particles that feed the bacteria. Brushing twice a day also cleans your teeth and gives you fresh breath. Use a fluoride toothpaste as it helps to strengthen your teeth as well. Your dentist recommends that you brush for two minutes. Use a timer, or purchase an electric toothbrush with a built in timer.

Just like brushing, flossing removes the particles and plaque between your teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing also helps prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease as well. Because you do not produce as much saliva while you sleep, your dentist recommends that you floss just before bedtime as it leaves your mouth less vulnerable to bacteria attack.

Because your dentist can spot gum disease in its infancy, it is vital that you see your dentist twice a year. If gingivitis is caught early enough it can be treated and reversed. Some people are more prone to gum disease and should schedule dental checkups quarterly. People with other health problems such as HIV, diabetes and cancer should also visit the dentist more frequently.

In-between checkups check your mouth for trouble spots. Non-healing sores, bleeding or swollen gums, or pimples on your gums are all signs that you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Keep your smile bright and healthy by quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet that is rich in calcium. Foods such as kale and sardines also contain calcium and should be included as part of your regular diet.

For more information regarding a healthy smile, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Preventive Dentistry for you and Your Family

Preventive Dentistry is something that yourdentist can help you with, especially if you have kids and want to teach them proper oral hygiene.

Unfortunately, there are hundreds of thousands of people in the United States who have bad teeth and gums. Accordingto Web MD, most of these folks are dealing with gum disease, cavities, and other dental problems because they were not taught Preventive Dentistry.

Your dentist explains that natural teeth and your teeth that have been restored do best in an oral environment that is clean and healthy. The Preventive Dentistry program from your dentist has been designed specifically to keep cavities and gum disease at bay. The Preventive Dentistry Program helps to preserve your dental restorations, control, and manage gum disease.

During your Preventive Dentistry appointment, your dentist will discuss oral hygiene and suggest ways that you can improve your oral health habits.

Your dentist recommends that you brush twice each day with fluoride toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association. There is actually a list of ADA approved toothpastes, flosses and mouthwashes listed on the American Dental Association website. Brush using a soft bristle toothbrush and in a circular motion aimed towards your gums.

Flossing is just as important as brushing as flossing helps clean between your teeth and reach areas that your toothbrush can’t get to. Floss up and down while keeping your floss against the tooth in a U-shape.

Your dentist also encourages patients to eat a healthy well balanced diet. Eat plenty of cheese, which helps clean your teeth and avoid sugary snacks and drinks. Your dentist can help you with a complete menu plan that will keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Try using fluoride or antiseptic rinses as directed by your dentist. Fluoride helps prevent cavities and keeps the enamel on your teeth strong and healthy.

When it comes to healthy teeth and gums, Preventive Dentistry really is the way to go. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today who can help you improve your oral hygiene routine. 

A New Smile Just in Time for the Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner, and if you do not like what you see in the mirror, schedule an appointment with your dentist for cosmetic dental solutions.

Your dentist can advise you on the best dental restorations to give you a smile that you will be proud to show off. Having a smile makeover is the best gift that anyone can give themselves. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a healthy smile can boost self-confidence and increase self-esteem.

When you visit your dentist for a smile makeover consultation your teeth and gums will be checked to make sure you mouth is healthy enough for Dental Veneers, Onlays or Inlays, Dental Bonding, Whitening for Life, Crowns, Bridges, or Dental Implants. If you are dealing with gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend a plan to make your teeth and gums healthy enough for cosmetic dental treatments.

If your gum disease has progressed, your dentist may refer you to a Periodontist to help treat your periodontal disease. Your dentist and Periodontist will work together in order to provide you with the best treatment for your particular situation.

Once your teeth and gums are healthy again, your dentist will recommend cosmetic dental solutions to repair that chipped tooth or fill the gap between your front teeth. Your dentist may also recommend Dental Implants if you have a missing tooth.

If you are dealing with stained teeth, your dentist may advise Dental Veneers or Tooth Whitening. If you have had previous dental restorations, Dental Veneers may be the better choice as Tooth Whitening will not alter the color of tooth colored fillings, Dental Bonding or Inlays and Onlays. Dental Whitening can correct mottled tooth staining, brown or yellow teeth. Dental Whitening works on young and old people alike, and can brighten your dull smile restoring it back to its original brightness.

If you would like more information about a smile makeover before the holidays, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

The Perfect Smile with Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns have certainly changed over the years, and thanks to modern dentistry, you can have your existing crowns replaced or new crowns placed with dental restorations that look and feel just like your own natural teeth.  

According to the American Dental Association, porcelain jacket crowns were made in the early 1900’s, but unfortunately were not very efficient. During the 1950’s, dental crowns were a real possibility as porcelain was fused to metal. These days, crowns are made out of a high-grade porcelain or porcelain that is bonded to gold. Most dentists recommend higher strength materials for more serious dental problems such as lost teeth, excessive wear, and old filling breakdown.

Dental Crowns are used to replace missing teeth and offer support to broken or misshaped teeth. Dental Crowns look and feel natural and can fix a smile while taking care of chewing problems.

If you are experiencing pain in your back teeth, you may have a hairline crack. Your dentist may decide to place Dental Crowns on the teeth in order to relieve the pain. Crowns on your molars will also allow you to return to full dental function.

Porcelain Crowns and Bridges are used in the front teeth to replace older fillings that might be chipped or stained. Porcelain Crowns are also used where Porcelain Veneers are unsuitable.

Your dentist may also recommend a Dental Crown over Root Canals to prevent breakage.

If the damage to your tooth or teeth is extreme, your dentist may use Porcelain or Porcelain fused to gold Dental Crowns. Your dentist explains that Dental Crowns can last for twenty to thirty years if you practice good oral hygiene.

Dental Crown fitting takes two or more dental appointments. During your first visit, your dentist will remove the tooth decay before shaping the tooth and fitting it with a temporary Dental Crown made from metal or plastic.

During your next visit, your dentist will take out the temporary crown before fitting and adjusting your new permanent Dental Crown. The final step in the process is cementing your new Dental Crown in place.

If you would like more information regarding Dental Crowns, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. A beautiful smile really is just a phone call away.