Why is water good for dental health? Water can help clean your teeth and wash away foods and liquids that can damage your teeth. It’s not a replacement for brushing and flossing, but it can definitely help. Studies say that water helps prevent bad breath as it prevents bacteria from thriving in your mouth and causing bad odour. Make an appointment with us to learn more about the foods and drinks that help you maintain your dental health.
Dental care with Crowns and Bridges
One must be particularly vigilant about brushing and flossing along the edges of a crown or bridge. Trapped food and plaque can build up around the gumline and adjacent teeth and lead to gum disease or tooth decay. Make an appointment with us at clinic to learn about the maintenance of your dental restorations.
How to take care of a Chipped tooth?
If you or a loved one ever finds yourself in the unfortunate situation where a tooth is knocked out, pick it up carefully by the crown (or top) and not by the delicate roots. Gently rinse it off, and place it in milk or wrap it in a damp cloth. If you get to your dentist soon enough, there is a good chance that the tooth can be placed back in your mouth. Don’t hesitate to seek emergency care at our clinic.
Benefits of Veneers
Will teeth bleaching work on all stains? The answer is no. Discolorations caused by some filling materials and dark, intense stains, such as those caused by injuries or antibiotics like tetracycline, are very difficult to bleach. In those cases, it is best to consider other cosmetic procedures such as veneers or crowns. Veneers are highly durable and last for a longer duration. In this process, an impression of your tooth is taken and a veneer is fabricated to fit the tooth. Make an appointment with us to learn more about the possible restorations that can be done on a discoloured tooth.
Did you know that X-rays help detect dental problems?
Are X-rays really required to diagnose problems in your teeth? X-rays reveal problems that dentists can’t see with the naked eye, such as decay between teeth or damage to the bone caused by gum disease. Early detection of these and other problems can prevent excessive damage and expensive treatment. Your dentist will decide how often you need X-rays and will protect you with lead aprons that help reduce the radiation exposure to negligible amounts. Make an appointment with us to detect dental problems at an early stage.
Different types of Bridges for your tooth
There are two types of Bridges that can be used as tooth replacement. One is the traditional fixed bridge and the other is bonded bridge. In a fixed bridge, artificial teeth are set between crowns placed over adjoining natural teeth. In bonded bridge, one or more artificial teeth are fastened to metal wings and those metal wings are bonded to the adjoining anchor teeth, forming a bridge. Make an appointment with us to learn more about the various options available to replace missing teeth.
Just Baby Teeth
Baby teeth or primary teeth as they are called first appear when your baby is 6 months old. By the time he or she is 2 years old 20 teeth have made their appearance and are there to stay up to 12 years, gradually being lost from 6 years onwards as the new permanent teeth develop.When the “baby” teeth develop cavities or any other problem it is usual to ask the dentist to remove the teeth as a “new one will come anyway”. Why waste time and money on these teeth? This is a very common misconcept. The importance of baby or primary teeth cannot be more underlined.
These teeth help jaw growth during the formative years. They act as a guide for the underlying teeth which are to come later. They help your child to chew well and speak properly. If a tooth is lost earlier due to either an accident or due to an infection, the permanent teeth will not replace them immediately. This is because these new teeth have to develop and will come into the mouth only when it is mature enough. Until such time the early loss of the baby teeth can cause difficulty in chewing, speech problems and traumatic visits to the dentist for extraction. Would you not like to give your child a gift of good dental health, carefree routine visits to the dentist and the loving care that only an informed parent can give?
Denture Dilemma? Removable Dentures?
For most of us the loss of a tooth is not disturbing. The tooth might have had a cavity or become shaky and then the pain made us rush to the dentist. By that time, it was too late. Nature comes to the rescue and manages with the loss. The chewing pattern is adjusted and after a while, you get used to it, skilfully maneuvering the food to sections of the jaw that are most efficient. Now the problem increases when more than one tooth is lost. It starts getting difficult to chew and it takes longer to finish a meal. Not to mention that the missing teeth are now beginning to show when you smile widely and there is the slightest ever sag in the cheek and lip. Back to the dental clinic, where you seek a solution to be able to eat and perhaps look better. From the many choices you settle for a partial denture to fill the gaps left by the extracted teeth. What is denture?
Removable partial or complete dentures are made of acrylic resin and are very simple to make. A few sessions to take a mould and a trial, and the “denture” is ready. This type of tooth replacement is easily the most economical and most widely used option, especially in our country. Simple? Not so simple. The denture rests completely on the gum and covers a lot of area in the mouth.
When it is an upper denture it closes the palate, blocking out taste and the temperature of food. When it is a lower denture it cramps the tongue to rest on the lower front teeth, hindering speech. The denture sinks down onto the gums when chewing often causing discomfort and pain. A few hooks called clasps hold on to the adjacent teeth to prevent movement and for support. These clasps move against the teeth and cause friction and discomfort. You will need to take them out after every meal to clean food trapped underneath. Then you may ask, why does the dentist suggest these at all? These dentures are at best an interim measure and certainly not a long term solution. Artificial teeth need to be firmly grounded in a metal base if they are to be successful. The best option would be to firmly secure supports in the jaw bone in which the artificial teeth are immovably fixed.
If you are a denture wearer, an understanding of the very nature of the material – acrylic resin – would help maintain these removable units hygienically. They need to be washed regularly with a cleansing powder or lotion and then immersed in water when not in use. Dropping them would be sometimes disastrous. It would also be wise to remove them every night to avoid continuous pressure and subsequent further shrinking of the gums. When there is much inconvenience it is good to rethink your choice for getting a comfortable situation so that you can enjoy a hearty meal without worrying about balancing removable dentures!
Will thumb-sucking cause dental problems for babies?
Thumb-sucking is a natural behavioural instinct for babies. Many infants begin sucking their thumbs or using pacifiers within three months of birth, and thumb-sucking may continue through the toddler years. Neither habit generally poses a dental problem if it is discontinued before the child’s first permanent teeth erupt. Visit our clinic to consult with our dentist for child dental care if your child continues to follow the habit.
Signs of bruxism
Many adults take out stress on their jaws and teeth without realizing it. This habit is called bruxism and can seriously damage and wear down your teeth. Consult your dentist if you notice any of these warning signs: pain when chewing, a tired jaw when you wake up, and unexplained headaches. Make an appointment with us to consult with our team to prescribe treatment for bruxism and other jaw related ailments.