Factors To Consider When Getting Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are one of the best dental treatments today that can solve or cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment, abnormal spacing, chips and cracks. Veneers, particularly porcelain ones, are pretty expensive but a lot of people usually feel satisfied with the results of opting for this dental treatment and feel that the benefits outweigh the cost.

If you have chosen to get this solution to achieve a better smile, expect that you will have to go though at least 3 trips to your dentist. The first stage or trip to the dentist calls for diagnosis and treatment planning. The second one entails preparing your teeth for the veneer. The third stage is called bonding, wherein the veneer is permanently cemented on the problem tooth. Patients are also usually asked to return for a follow-up visit after 2 weeks so that the dentist can check how the gums are responding to the veneers and examine its placement.

If it's your first time to get porcelain veneers, keep in mind that there are various factors that can affect the application of this treatment to your teeth. These include the following:

Your lip shape and fullness. Dental veneers can alter the appearance or comfort of lip movement. For people with thin lips, they have to contend with the discomfort of the veneers constantly scratching or scraping against the lip. This needs to be thoroughly discussed with the dentist so that you can get a better understanding of how the application of veneers can alter the look and comfort of your lips.

The size of the tooth or teeth to be covered. This is another aesthetic factor that would depend on the patient's preference. There are some patients who like their two front teeth slightly longer than the others, while others prefer theirs to be completely aligned to their other teeth. If you want to get porcelain veneers that will create the smile that you have always wanted, it is important to discuss this factor and your preference with your dentist.

The shape of your natural teeth. A person's teeth are shaped like fingerprints-they sort of look the same, but they actually don't. Some teeth are more rounded, some are long and pointy, and some people have square-shaped teeth. Trusted cosmetic dentists recommend having the veneers patterned after the general shape of your front teeth to achieve the most natural appearance and also to ensure a comfortable fit in the mouth.

The natural color of your teeth. Finally, nothing can make a smile look fake more than different shades of teeth. When going for dental veneers, most patients today are required to undergo oral prophylaxis to determine the original natural hue of teeth. In doing this, the dentist can then use the perfect hue for the veneer so that it can completely look like the person's own real teeth and others will not be able to tell otherwise.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/expert/Dan_K_Summers/1867722

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9184685

Nu Calm - Regency Dental

Dr. Burton demonstrates NuCalm. It is a revolutionary relaxation treatment to make your dental experience stress free and calm. See more at http://regencydentalgroup.com/

What You Need to Know About Receding Gums

Dr. Andrew Greenberger, participating Delta Dental dentist, shares what you need to know about receding gums, including its causes and treatments.

How Veneers, Crowns and Dental Implants Help Patients

Dental technology continues to enhance and improve the dental experience for patients, giving them multiple options for common dental issues that were previously unavailable.

This is true for dental patients who have cracked, chipped, worn, rough teeth or have teeth that are missing.

In the past, patients with less than perfect teeth had to live with the embarrassment and discomfort as dental treatments were more expensive and considered unnecessary, cosmetic procedures.

Over time with new technology, once pricey, elaborate procedures have become quick, routine procedures that are no longer for the wealthy.

It is rare to naturally have a perfect smile where all the teeth are white, smooth, proportional and straight. It is the small deviations of a person's smile that makes it their one-of-a-kind smile. Many patients, however don't see their imperfections this way. Some patients have trouble chewing, and speaking as well as headaches and jaw pain that is a result of their dental imperfections.

It is the crooked, non-proportional, jagged teeth that are most often treated by a dentist in order to ease the patient's pain and discomfort as well as enhance their confidence and self-esteem.

What kind of dental treatments are available for patients with less than desirable teeth?

The most common are veneers, crowns and dental implants.

What Are Veneers, Crowns and Dental Implants?

You've likely heard of these before and have a vague idea of what they are and what they do. Here is a brief summary of each:

Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are placed to the front of teeth to enhance or correct their shape, size and texture. Veneers are a quick procedure that can immediately change your smile for the better.

Crowns

Crowns are great options for patients who have moderate tooth decay or teeth that are chipped, cracked or worn-down. These gold, zirconia or porcelain coverings, go over the impacted tooth to prevent further damage and to keep the strength of the tooth intact.

Dental Implants

For patients who are missing a few teeth here and there, smiling can be unpleasant. You may think your smile is forever ruined and the thought of dentures scares you. Dental implants are the best solutions for your case. Implants are for patients who still have most of their natural teeth. Dental implants fill the empty space left behind with a naturally-looking tooth-like crown.

The Benefits of Veneers, Crowns and Dental Implants

Veneers, crowns and dental implants can do wonders in restoring or enhancing your natural, unique smile. All three teeth procedures can give you your dream smile that you'll be proud to show-off. The confidence in one's smile can also improve your mood and make you more approachable as you'll be laughing and smiling away.

Besides enhancing your smile to its maximum potential, these dental treatments can correct and restore the proper functioning of your bite, allowing you to comfortably bite and chew and speak clearly. Being able to do these basic oral functions, a patient's quality of life can be greatly improved.

With modern dental equipment and technology, patients who have a less than ideal smile because of their tooth imperfections now can easily achieve the smile they've always wanted.

Patients should contact their dentist to discuss which option would best achieve their desired results.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9783237

What Is Dry Mouth and When Is It a Problem?

Many medications and illnesses have a side effect called "dry mouth". A lot of people don't understand what exactly dry mouth is and why it is a problem. If you have ever suffered from it though, you know it isn't pleasant and brings on even more issues. To help bring more clarity to this medical issue, here is an explanation on what dry mouth is, when it becomes a problem, and how it is treated.

What is Dry Mouth?

The condition of dry mouth is exactly how it sounds; the mouth feels dry. This is more than just your standard feeling you get when you're thirsty. Instead, the mouth feels dry all the time. Some of the symptoms that are:

· Frequently feeling thirsty, even after drinking

· A dry feeling throat that is often sore

· A sticky or dry feeling in the mouth

· Tongue looks red and raw and feels dry

· Sore in the corners of the mouth

· Cracked lips

· Odd burning and/or tingling feeling in the mouth and tongue

· Hoarseness

· Constant bad breath

· Difficulty speaking, tasting, swallowing, and chewing

· Dry nasal passages

· Periodontitis and Gingivitis, marked by red, bleeding gums

· Tooth decay

While everyone experiences these symptoms at one time or another, it isn't considered dry mouth until it is extreme or lasts for more than a few days.

Why is it a Problem?

The reason the mouth feels dry is that there isn't enough saliva being produced. This condition is not necessarily a major concern, but it depends on the circumstances. The doctor or dentist you visit will help find the root of the problem, which determines how much attention it needs. There are many reasons it comes, including:

· Side effect of a medication

· Dehydration

· A sign of another health problem

If you are taking any medications, that is the first suspect to dry mouth. If that is ruled out, the amount of water you drink every day is examined. A physical exam may take place to rule out any major problems like nerve damage, malfunctioning salivary glands, diabetes, and oral cancer.

For many sufferers, the biggest problem of dry mouth is constantly feeling uncomfortable. The unquenchable thirst interferes with daily routines and the sores on the mouth hurt. It also interferes with wearing dentures. What's more is that saliva is vital to maintaining the pH balance in your mouth. It also helps wash away bacteria and food left in your mouth. Without enough saliva, your teeth are at a major risk for decay, gum disease, and infections, like thrush.

How is it Treated?

The first step is to talk to your doctor if you are taking any medications. They can help you make adjust your dose or switch brands to minimize the side effect. If not, another medication or mouth rinse can be used to increase saliva production or just restore moisture to the mouth. They can also run tests to make sure there are no underlying issues if medication isn't the source.

Talk to a dentist about possible causes and treatments as well. They will want to examine the damage done to your teeth and gums to make sure you are okay in those areas. Most dentists can do oral cancer screenings and prescribe mouth rinses too.

Other ways to boost saliva or general moisture in the mouth are to:

· Suck on candy or chew gum (sugar-free varieties, of course)

· Increase your water intake to keep the mouth moist

· Keep a vaporizer near you, to increase moisture in the air

· Try not to breathe through your mouth, but through your nose instead

· Use a saliva substitute that is found over-the-counter in most pharmacies

It is best to not let dry mouth go on for too long, if you can help it. Don't self-diagnose and treat without visiting your doctor or dentist to ensure that there are no major problems.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9783222

Why There Is So Much Emphasis on Flossing

Good dental health can be described as having a mouth that looks and smells healthy, is full of clean and bright teeth that are anchored in solid bone. The gums should be pink and don't bleed at the slightest touch, and people don't raise a curious eyebrow while they stare at something in your teeth.

Brushing can do a lot to help you reach this level of dental health, but that alone isn't enough.

Flossing has to be an integral part of your daily oral hygiene routine to ensure that you are preventing problems and maintaining a healthier smile.

Flossing is Easy to Forget

We all lead busy lives, and when you're rushing out the door, or you're having guests over, or you're trying to catch up on work, it's easy to let the "little things" slide. Sometimes it's just a lot easier to shower, brush your teeth and head out the door.

Flossing may not be "fun," but if you do group this as one of the "little things" and forget about it, it can have just as much negative impact on your oral health as forgetting to brush.

Flossing the Right Way

Dental care professionals may talk a lot about flossing and why it's important to do every day, but, just like brushing, you can't get away with a half-hearted effort.

It's important to use the right technique to make sure you're cleaning out as much plaque as possible.

There's no big secret to this technique. It's the same thing you've been told for years. But just to make sure everyone is on the same page about this, here's a quick rundown of the most effective and efficient flossing technique.

1. Use about 18 to 24 inches of floss.

2. Wrap most of the floss around one of your middle fingers, and then a little more of the other end around the other middle finger.

3. Leave an inch or two for the actual flossing.

4. While holding the floss tightly between thumbs and forefingers of both hands, use a gentle rubbing motion to guide the floss between your teeth.

5. Push the floss down to your gums, and a little below the gum line, and curve the floss into a C shape.

6. Gently rub the side of the tooth with up and down motions, moving the floss up and away from the gums.

7. Don't force the floss because it may bruise your gums or cause them to bleed.

8. Floss every tooth, from the front to the back.

Should You Brush or Floss First?

A lot of people ask that question, worried that one may be more effective than the other. They may wonder if it's best to floss in the morning before the day gets started, or wait until the end of the day and make sure that they clean out any food particles that may have been lodged there throughout the day.

The best answer, though, is that as long as you're flossing, it doesn't really matter if you do it before or after you floss. Or if you choose to floss in the morning or in the evening.

(Of course, some may tell you that if you're questioning whether to floss in the morning or at night, you should just do both.)

Flossing once a day (at least) is a critical part of your overall dental hygiene. Don't put it off and don't let good habits slide. Your teeth will thank you for it.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9783240

Who Are Dental Sealants For?

You may have heard of dental sealants, but you're not sure what they are, how they work or who they benefit. You can only guess that they block out food particles, hence, acting as a seal, or barrier.

If this is what you thought sealants are, you're correct. Dental sealants are clear, thin, flexible, resin barriers are applied over the back molars to keep food particles from getting dislodged between then or in crevices and indentations on the tooth surface.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants can last up to 10 years and can be easily replaced when chips or excessive wear is evident. The sealant looks and feels like the natural tooth so they are comfortable to wear and are aesthetically pleasing. They can handle the same wear and tear as the teeth themselves. In many cases, patients don't even notice the sealants.

The process for applying sealants involves a couple, though simple steps:

1. The teeth are thoroughly cleaned

2. Each tooth is thoroughly dried

3. The surface of the teeth are roughened using an acidic agent

4. The teeth are then rinsed and dried

5. The sealant is then painted onto the teeth and dried. A curing, UV light may be used to speed up the drying process

They are applied much like a composite resin crown where the "cement" is hardened and permanently affixed into place using a UV light.

Dental sealants provide an extra barrier to protect teeth from cavities and shouldn't be used in place of brushing.

Who Would Best Benefit From Dental Sealants?

In almost every circumstance, dentists will recommend dental sealants for young patients, typically those between 5 and 7 years old. This is the age childrens' permanent molars erupt. Putting sealants on before this before the baby molars fall out will mean that the sealants will need to be reapplied later.

It is also during this time that children begin brushing their own teeth for the first time, meaning proper brushing techniques are often not followed or closely monitored. Their lack of coordination, focus and attention makes them less likely to practice proper oral hygiene procedures. Children often dread brushing their teeth and are impatient. They often don't brush long or as frequently enough, use the wrong brushing and flossing techniques or simply ignore to do any dental hygiene at all.

On top of insufficient or improper dental hygiene, children tend to have a sweet tooth, preferring sugary foods and drinks over healthy ones. The excessive sugar and simple carbs that decay and produce tooth enamel eating acid that lead to tooth decay.

Tooth decay, most commonly referred to as cavities, is among the most prevalent and preventable health issues among children. Kids are either not taught proper dental hygiene techniques or they are not taught the importance of taking care of their teeth and gums.

Dental sealants help give children extra help in protecting their teeth and gums.

Teenagers and adults who have had no decay or fillings are also candidates for dental sealants.

While dental sealants aid patients who have a hard time adequately brushing, they are not normally recommended to seniors. This is in large part due to the fact that many seniors are missing their molars or their molars are too fragile to accommodate the resin of the sealants.

Dental sealants are great for keeping your child's teeth protected from cavities and plaque build-up. Proper, regular, dental hygiene should, however, be done.

If you're interested in getting sealants for your child or teenager, or to see if he or she is a candidate, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9783258