Crest Pro-Health Advanced | Father and Daughter

Crest Pro-Health Advanced products help you maintain a professional clean.

Dental Solutions to Bruxism

Bruxism is the unconscious grinding of the teeth. For most patients, the teeth grinding occurs at night while they sleep. Headaches, a sore jaw, a stiff jaw and broken and cracked teeth are some of the telltale symptoms of bruxism.

If you've been diagnosed with bruxism, you may be overwhelmed by the multiple treatment options available. There is no cure for bruxism, but many treatment options are available that reduce the triggers of the teeth grinding.

There are many causes of bruxism including stress, sleep apnea, habits, psychological disorders and dental occlusions issues.

The treatment options for bruxism fall into two main categories, both of which target the triggering symptoms that cause bruxism.

Examples of both kinds of bruxism treatment are listed below in their corresponding categories. Depending on your specific bruxism case, you may either be better treated with a treatment option that reduces the occurrence of bruxism or with a treatment option that reduces the severity of the bruxism symptoms. It is not uncommon for treatments of both the symptoms and the occurrence of the bruxism to be prescribed at the same time.

Bruxism Treatments That Target the Symptoms of The Disorder

· Using a warm, wet washcloth on the jaw

· Applying ice cubes or an ice pack to the jaw

· Massaging and stretching jaw muscles, the neck, and face to relieve trigger point tension

· Getting physical therapy

· Doing exercises to relax the jaw

· Focused facial relaxation

· Visiting a chiropractor

· Using muscle relaxants to relax the jaw

· Crowning teeth

· Tooth reconstructive surgery

Bruxism Treatments That Target the Disorder Itself

· Stress and anxiety reduction and management

· Drinking more water

· Getting more sleep

· Eating soft foods

· Not chewing gum or on other objects

· Consciously relaxing the face and jaw throughout the day

· Buying a teeth grinding mouth guard (you can also get a customized night one at your dentist)

· Avoiding alcohol, which increases the urge to clench the teeth

· Avoiding caffeine, which can make you jumpy and tense

· Buying dental splints

You should discuss all your bruxism treatment options with your dentist. The best treatment option will depend on the severity of your bruxism, how often it occurs, the extent of the damage it has caused, your personal preferences, the length of the treatment and the costs of the treatment.

It is not uncommon for patients to be unaware they have bruxism because they don't experience any of the noticeable symptoms. For these patients, it is important they have regular dental check-ups and cleanings at their dentist's office. A dentist can identify the wear and tear of the teeth because of bruxism.

Bruxism isn't a dental issue to be ignored. The pain can be severe and uncomfortable and the damage it causes to the teeth and gums can lead to tooth loss, broken teeth and weakened gums that can be more susceptible to gum disease.

The grinding down of teeth as a result of bruxism can lead to flattened teeth which negatively affects the look of a patient's smile which can lower their self-esteem, and overall happiness and quality of life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Anna_Bird/2355855

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9729459

Dental Care Lets You Smile Without Hesitation

There is a lot of emphasis on a pretty smile as it is one of the easiest ways to spread happiness around you. Just try smiling when you are feeling low and you would be surprised at how light you begin to feel. Unfortunately, not all of us have lovely smiles as we are often trying to hide our unsightly teeth. But it doesn't have to be like this as there are several ways and means nowadays to give an almost perfect smile to anyone.

IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL CARE
Dental care plays an important part in maintaining the health of our teeth. Keeping the rather high costs of dental treatments in mind, it makes sense to take good care of our teeth ourselves. But sometimes there are factors that are beyond our control such as crooked teeth, discoloring due to certain medicines, teeth damaged in an accident and many others. Often we get conflicting advice about the best way to take care of our teeth and end up doing more damage. For example we are told to brush our teeth after every meal but some say brushing your teeth more than twice a day is not necessary. There is also a school of thought that says that we should not brush our teeth immediately after a meal. This is because the acidic content of our food gets pushed under the enamel causing more harm. So what we really need is a balanced attitude and not to become overzealous.

OUR TEETH AND GENERAL HEALTH
We often associate dental care only with pearly white teeth which are perfectly aligned. One thing that is often overlooked is that the state of our teeth and gums often affects our general health. In fact, they are considered to be an indication of our health in some cases. Frequently poor dental health may not be just a result of careless dental hygiene. It could also be because one may be suffering from diabetes, low immunity or HIV. Moreover it could lead to infections in other parts of the body as a cut in your gums could let the bacteria enter your blood stream. It is also said that poor dental care may also be one of the reasons for diseases of the heart. So, if you are suffering from any dental problems have it checked as soon as possible to rule out any complications.

PROFESSIONAL CARE
Professional dental care includes a wide range of services right from simply cleaning up to whitening, straightening crooked teeth, putting in implants in place of broken teeth, teeth fillings, tooth extraction, to mention just a few. In some cases it might just be easier to use dental veneers to cover crooked teeth. But before you decide upon costly dental procedures do a little bit of research and you would be surprised at how reasonably priced dental care can be. Usually we avoid a trip to the dentist till it becomes an emergency, preferring to suffer in silence. But don't let your teeth take away your smile; all you need is a little bit of care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jeff_Molenda/1114640

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7148820

Cosmetic Dentistry Services - A Reason for Your Enhanced Smile

Nothing on your face makes a greater contribution to how you look than your smile. This is why there are many patients who embrace opportunities provided by cosmetic dentistry procedures to enhance their smiles.

However, even if you are such a person, it may be difficult to understand and choose exactly what treatment options are right for you, but with assistance from a dental practitioner, you can get the way forward and select from a number of available avenues for improvement.

There are many forms of cosmetic treatments for your teeth to help you get a better looking smile over time, which is why you need the help of a professional to determine which options are healthy and safe for you depending on the state of your current smile.

Cosmetic dental procedures can offer several advantages, including brighter, whiter teeth, straighter teeth and correction of broken teeth, among many others. Missing teeth can also be replaced, and when coupled with restorative procedures, you can have stronger teeth in the process.

Below is an outline of a few procedures and who they are prescribed for:

Tooth whitening

Whitening is a procedure used to correct tooth staining or discoloration for various reasons. The procedure can also be prescribed if you simply want a whiter smile, even if you don't have discolored or stained teeth. Tooth whitening is a simple, non-invasive, convenient and affordable procedure available at most dental clinics.

Prior to setting up the appointment, it's important to schedule a consultative examination to ascertain that the discoloration isn't the result of any underlying causes which may need intervention.

Veneers

Veneers are another popular cosmetic dentistry option that can improve the aesthetic appeal of your smile dramatically. They are ideal for patients who have worn, gappy, chipped, misaligned or discolored teeth. For the procedure, the dentist must custom-make veneers suited to your exact tooth size and shape as the veneers will be bonded permanently on the front part of your teeth.

Porcelain veneers are most commonly used since they are closest in appearance to a real tooth, and they are an ideal option for restorative purposes, since they offer extra strength/support to natural teeth. They are a good alternative to orthodontic treatment to correct crooked/misaligned teeth.

Bonding

Bonding is another common treatment option where composite resin is bonded to your teeth. It is a corrective procedure for tooth fractures, chipping, discoloration and different stages of decay. A tooth-colored material is applied to give a brighter and natural-looking smile. Bonding can be used in the same cases veneers are used; it all depends on what you want and the practitioner's recommendations.

White fillings

White fillings are made of composite resin material and are mainly used to improve/restore teeth that have decayed. They are a better alternative to the metal fillings that were used in the past since they look more natural and thus blend in with the appearance of the existing teeth. As such, they can be used to correct damage resulting from tooth decay at various stages of progression.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Rahim_Ladha

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8973041

All Dental Offices Are Not The Same

The process of choosing a dental office that will provide you and your family with dental services is generally based upon convenience and customer service. When you decide that you are going to find a new dentist, or you move to a new city and begin looking for a dentist most people will start by looking at which offices are closest to their homes or places of work. This is done so as to be able to make it to appointments that are sandwiched in between other errands or on lunch hours, or to make sure not too much of your time is spent commuting to the office for your appointment. It is common knowledge that you will be visiting your dentist office twice per year at a minimum, and patients will naturally want to only drive a few miles to get to that office when an appointment is necessary.

Another consideration when choosing a dental office is customer service. This begins with the people working at the front desk, making your appointment and checking you in. A common practice among some dentist offices is to double book appointment times in order to compensate for cancellations. While this will not be a problem in most cases, there may be long wait times or crowded waiting rooms if everyone shows up. It is best to stop into the potential dentist's office during the day to get the feel of the office, assess the staff and cleanliness, and see if the waiting room seems over crowded. If it seems pleasant and professional, ask to meet the dentist and don't be afraid to ask questions about office hours, specialties and anything else you may be interested in.

When you have narrowed your list of potential dentist offices down to a few, go online and search for the office's name followed by the word "reviews." This will give you access to any of the opinions that past patients have put online regarding the services they received. If one of your list seems to have good reviews and happy customers, book an appointment and get an initial exam and checkup. If the dentist who checks your teeth is professional and courteous, and the dental hygienist who cleans your teeth does a good job, then you have probably made a good choice that will last until you move from that area. All dentist offices are not the same, and the majority of the difference comes from customer service and professionalism.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Raymond_Santopietro/371042

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9489407

Dental Veneers: Giving Everyone the Perfect Smile

A dental veneer, at its very basic, is a porcelain material used to cover the front bit of the tooth to change or enhance teeth that are stained, chipped, broken, or undesired.

If you want dental veneers, you will probably need to visit the dentist at least two times. However, that should not scare you. Getting veneers are painless and ultimately rewarding. Here is everything you need to know.

• Getting The First of Many Impressions

Like most dental restoration procedures, before you get your shiny veneers, the dentist takes impressions of your teeth. He may also take impressions during actual installation of the veneers, and in some cases, even at the final placement of the veneers.

The dentist uses the first impressions to make a stone replica of your dental structure. The model goes to the dental laboratory for several reasons. The lab technician can use the model to fabricate the veneers that will go on your teeth. He can also use the same replica to make a wax dummy to show you what the replica would look like.

The wax model can be used as temporary veneers while waiting for the final veneers to come out of the lab.

• Veneer Shading

Getting a color shade is an exciting process for everyone looking to get a set of new veneers. The ultimate choice in color is directed by certain qualifications, as well as the dentist's recommendations.

You may find that the dentist recommends a shade, which in his opinion appears natural compared to the rest of the teeth. Going with this shade gives you an attractive and faultless set of choppers. Furthermore, the shade can be made to match your skin tone, while still maintaining the desired whiteness of your teeth.

Sometimes it might be necessary to visit the dental lab before your veneers are made to make them to your exact specification. The lab technicians may also want to get a feel of the shade of the surrounding teeth to make naturally looking veneers. This is especially important if you are looking for veneers consistent with the rest of your teeth.

• Tooth Preparation

Typically, veneers require little in the way of preparation. The dentist may remove minuscule amounts of enamel to smooth out the tooth before the veneer is installed.

For that reason, you may not require local anesthetic during the procedure, which must be a relief for folks out there with needle fever.

However, for teeth that had a root canal, a local anesthetic is necessary. The dentist then uses a thick paste to get an impression of your teeth. The paste is filled into a tray and then placed on your teeth where it stays until the material sets. It should not take more than five minutes before you're done.

In 10 business days, you should have your new veneers, but meanwhile, you can enjoy temporary veneers made from acrylic material.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/William_Jam_Smith/1490931

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9480725

What Are the Major Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an oral disease that affects the gums and leads to loss of teeth if left untreated. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that disturb the gum, the teeth and the bone that holds the teeth in place.

It is sad that in this day and age, there are people who still take oral health and hygiene for granted. And for that reason, this post focuses oral hygiene for healthy and strong gums and teeth by emphasizing on periodontal disease. It is high time we all had hale and hearty smiles with strong and healthy gums and teeth. Read on, tell a friend and tell the friend to tell a friend.

Now, what are the signs of periodontal disease that you should be aware of?

Do you have bleeding gums, puffy and red gums or itchy gums? Then you are probably wondering if you should be worried or not! Below are some signs and symptoms that will tell you that you need to visit a cosmetic dentist fast.

· Gum bleeding when the gum is disturbed by brushing, flossing or chewing hard food - most people normally think that their bleeding after brushing is caused by poor brushing methods or poor choice of truth brush. Although to some extent these two might cause gum irritation and eventually bleeding, sometimes it is important to seek a professional's opinion as to why your gums are bleeding.

· Red and inflamed gums -the signs are normally associated with Gingivitis. So, painful or not, red and swollen gums are signs of gum disease. As soon as you notice that your gums are puffy and red, consult a professional cosmetic dentist for proper checkup and diagnosis.

· Pus discharge from your gums - Gum disease normally causes the teeth to drift away from their positions because the bone that holds them in place has been lost to the disease. When that happens, pus pockets from beneath the gum and you will experience pus oozing out of the gums. Such a condition makes eating painful and almost impossible, hence the need for immediate professional assistance.

· Bad breath - Are you struggling with bad breath even after brushing your teeth twice a day and regularly flossing? Bad breath is associated with periodontal disease, which calls for immediate treatment.

How to Care for your Teeth after Treatment for Periodontal Disease

· Institute regular plaque removal - On a regular basis, get a professional cleaning from a qualified dentist to get rid of all the plaque surrounding your teeth.

· Quit smoking - One of the major causes of gum disease is smoking. Therefore, if you're a smoker and you have just been treated for gum disease, the best thing you could do for your teeth is quit smoking.

Observe healthy oral hygiene practices - Regular brushing and flossing are the best practices for oral hygiene. Also, avoid too hot and too cold foods and drinks as they provoke cavities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/William_Jam_Smith/1490931

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9726216