Dental News - Page 2 of 2

Reasons for Dental Bone Graft – Dental Tips

After losing a tooth or teeth, you may find it unnecessary to have them replaced especially if your smile is not affected or your ability to chew food. However, there is another reason why it is important to have them replaced as soon as possible. Resorption takes place in the absence of teeth. Dental bone grafting helps reverse this effect. Reasons for dental bone graft can be cosmetic and/or functional.

Reasons for Dental Bone Graft

If you are considering getting implants after a long duration of time, bone grafting will be necessary. Gum diseases are known to loosen teeth and dental bone grafting can be used to strengthen the jawbone in order to better support them. Teeth alignment will also require grafting, especially if the teeth have been like that for a long time. Dental health is important, therefore one step to better oral health is bone grafting.

Gum disease

Gum disease can also be referred to as periodontal disease. It weakens the jawbone, resulting in loose teeth. Gum diseases can be treated. Dental bone grafting can be used to reverse these effects. When a tooth gets loose as a result of gum disease, the first thing to consider would be an implant. The implant will not stay in place if the jawbone is weak. People who have had periodontal disease over a long period of time will need bone grafting before getting implants.

Misaligned teeth

In order to straighten and strengthen an adult’s teeth, bone grafting has to be done. This is because there is bone loss caused by the misaligned teeth. Teeth that are not in place or erupt in a different position other than the intended one discourage bone stimulation. That is why it is important to have teeth aligned when one is still young. Luckily, your dentist can describe various methods that can be used to straighten your teeth. Braces are mostly used for adults and children. Teeth-straightening surgeries are also given as options. Whichever method that will be used in aligning the teeth, bone grafting may still be required to strengthen the jaw and encourage growth. There are many benefits of having your teeth aligned other than for cosmetic reasons. Misaligned teeth can interfere with chewing, speech and excess wear. Because it may be hard to brush crooked teeth properly, tooth decay and periodontal diseases become common. Crooked teeth also affect a person’s self-esteem. To avoid all these issues, it is advisable to have your teeth straightened.

Missing teeth

If you lost your tooth/teeth from an accident or an extraction and took time to replace them, bone grafting may be needed. As stated earlier, the jawbone becomes resorbed if there are no teeth in place to encourage growth. Bone grafting is used to reverse this effect as well as strengthen the jawbone so as to properly support the new implant.

Reasons for dental bone graft point to a need to reverse effects of jaw resorption and strengthen it at the same time. If you also require dental implants, they will need a strong jawline to support them and that is where dental bone grafting comes in. Depending on the effects of resorption, a dental surgeon can perform either a major or a minor bone grafting procedure.

What are the Different Types of Dental Implants – FYI

If you are wondering what are the different types of dental implants, then you have come to the right place. Implants are differentiated by their heights, types and sizes. You will need to know these to decide what works for you.

What are the Different Types of Dental Implants

This piece explores the types of implants and how they are used on patients, depending on their specific needs and state of health.

Variations of Implants

There are two distinctive types of implants out there;

Endosteal implants-These are quite common. They are set in titanium and habitually placed in the jawbone
Subperiosteal implants-You will find these under the gum but they will be above or right on the jawbone. Dentists advise these for people whose jawbones are not healthy enough for the procedure. It is still possible for these patients to get the implants if they agree to a jawbone rebuilding procedure.

If you are in the category of patients whose jawbones cannot support the weight of implants, there are ways to get that fixed. Below is a look at the possible approaches;

What are the Different Types of Dental Implants

Bone augmentation-this is a procedure whose function is to regenerate or restore bones in your jaw. Studies and experiments have shown that growth factors and additives can be used to fortify a bone to a highly satisfactory degree.
Sinus lift/elevation/augmentation-in this procedure, bone is added under the sinus. This is done in situations where your natural bone has wasted away as a result of the lack of upper back teeth. You will mostly likely be sedated for this operation.
Ridge expansion- for some people, the jaw is too narrow for dental implants. Here, a small space or ridge is built into the top of your jaw. After that, bone graft material is inserted.

Treatment Planning and 3D Imaging

There now exist top drawer technologies that are highly accurate when it comes to 3d imaging and implant surgery projections. Dentists are now using these pieces of hard and software to look at the inside of your jaws and decide when implants need to go. This significantly boosts the success potential of surgery and saves on costs.

Other Dental Implant approaches

Below are some alternative dental treatment approaches

All-on-4

With this approach, 4 implants will be inserted into the available bone, and this does away with the need for bone grafting. The dentist will then introduce special abutments, allowing for the placement of temporary teeth a few hours later. The patient is advised to resort to a modified diet to allow their gum to heal. This also make sure that the implants bond with the bones of your jaw.

Mini dental implants (MDIs)

Narrow diameter implants, as MDIs are also known, are implants that come in the size of toothpicks. They are way narrower than anything you might have seen in the dental implants space. Their roles is to stabilize a lower denture, which is why the procedure is less invasive. these small-sized implants are narrower than most others used dental implants.

Immediate Load Dental Implants

These allow the professionals to place temporary teeth the same day you get your dental implant placement.

If you have been wondering ‘what are the different types of dental implants?’ then your answer is right up there, and your dentist will be able to fill in the gaps-quite literally so! Overall, remember to keep good oral hygiene, this will help prevent cavities and other dental problems in the future.

Dental Sedation Options – Descriptions and More

If the thoughts of seeing a dentist make you feel chill or afraid every time, then dental sedation might be the solution. It is a process that combines many different techniques to help a patient relax during uncomfortable appointments or surgery. Below are some common dental sedation options that you would consider for the next dentistry visits.

Dental Sedation Options

If you are removing plaque from your teeth or filling a cavity, you will most likely not have to be sedated. However, if you are having your wisdom teeth removed, then there is a good chance that you will be. Read below for some descriptions of dental sedation options.

1. Laughing gas

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is perhaps the most common sedation options in many dental offices. During a process called inhalation analgesia, this gas is used to put the patient to sleep, thus helping to relieve pain caused by surgery. Also, this is an effective way to reduce your anxiety and fear during a dental procedure. Using laughing gas is very safe. That’s why you often see it in most dental clinics. It is often used in combination with a local injection of anesthesia to enhance consistency and effectiveness. In many cases, the gas could be administered by a device to further alleviate the discomfort of this injection.

2. General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is a type of dental sedation in which the patient will be put into asleep for the whole procedure. To do this, some drugs will be injected directly into the vein, combined with the possible inhalation of some gaseous anesthetics. The main benefit of this option is that you cannot be aware of any pain or anxiety during the operation. However, there might be some possible side effects and long recovery time might be required in the dental office before you can leave.

3. Enteral Sedation

Another option for dental sedation is enteral sedation. It often comes in the form of a liquid or pill that you take orally. Similar to local anesthetics, this technique is often practiced in combination with the use of nitrous oxide. During the procedure, you might still be awake, but not anxious or nervous about the current dental work.

4. IV Sedation

Intravenous (IV) sedation is a common type of anti-anxiety in which the sedative is injected directly into a vein. This option allows the dentist to offer deeper sedation, even though you might still be awake during the process. However, you would be less aware of the dental work. After this process, you might need some time to recover before leaving.

Are you a suitable candidate for dental sedation?

Not everyone is ideal for these dental sedation options. The overall health, as well as your mental and physical conditions, are essential factors in determining the right option for you. For instance, if you are suffering from some health issues, such as respiratory diseases, diabetes, hypertension, or cardiac disease, it is important to get clearance from a doctor before you would get any form of sedation. To ensure a safe procedure, your dentist will conduct a comprehensive physical assessment and medical history before proceeding. Also, he or she might also ask for medical clearance from a doctor.

The Bottom Line

These dental sedation options have long been used to help patients get through painful or uncomfortable surgery. They can be used for any form of dental procedure, depending on your needs and budget. Ultimately, the goal is to manage the phobias and fears so that you would receive the best results from your dental care routine.

How to Stop Getting Cavities

Dental healthcare rarely gets the attention it deserves. While failing to brush your teeth every now and then may seem like no big deal, skipping out on proper dental care habits, such as brushing your teeth twice daily can increase your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis and adhering to standards of good dental care can go a long way in preventing cavities and other dental health problems. Here are a few tips on how to stop getting cavities.

How to Stop Getting Cavities

It’s essential for you to take good care of your teeth. Proper brushing and dental hygiene habits can help you prevent forming plaque and cavities. Below are some tips to ensure your teeth are healthy.

Brush Regularly

It’s important to brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice every day for two minutes. For better dental care, brush your teeth after every meal or snack. If you’re unable to brush as often as every meal, at least make an effort to rinse your mouth with water.

Use Mouthwash

For additional protection against tooth decay, be sure to use fluoride mouthwash twice daily after brushing.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Be sure to schedule a visit to the dentist at least every six months for regular oral exams and professional teeth cleanings. If you have a case that needs more attention or you’re prone to dental issues, then your dental health practitioner may recommend more frequent visits.

Consider Dental Sealants

Ask your dentist about sealants. These can help to reduce the likelihood of developing cavities by sealing off nooks and crannies where food might easily get trapped. This will help in preventing issues such as tooth decay. Moreover, sealants can last up to a decade when you take good care of your dental health.

Eat Teeth-Healthy Foods

Although certain foods, such as sugar, can cause problems for your teeth, there are plenty of foods that are healthy for your teeth. In the same way a heart-healthy diet can help to reduce your risk of heart disease, certain foods can help to protect your teeth. Some of the foods that are good for your dental health include fresh fruit and vegetables, unsweetened tea, cheese and sugar-free gum. Each of these foods contain specific nutrients that make them good for your dental health.

Talk to Your Dentist

If you’re not sure about the options available for preventing the onslaught of bacteria, tooth decay and gum disease, talk to a dentist to make recommendations specific to your needs and help you achieve better dental health.

Bottom Line

Those are just some of the tips to stop getting dental cavities. The trick with teeth is to be vigilant and take proactive measures to ensure your teeth are clean. Brush your teeth at least twice daily and be sure to visit your dentist at least once every six months for dental checkups.

Can Smoking Cause Cavities

Every year, The World Health Organization arranges and annual event to build awareness of the health risks associated with using tobacco. Professionals in the dental field have been long aware of the link between tobacco use and poor oral health. When it comes to dental health one of the main questions people ask is: can smoking cause cavities?

Can Smoking Cause Cavities

Whether you currently use tobacco, used it in the past or thinking about using it, the chances are you’ve heard it not safe or benign. Tobacco use is a major health risk that can endanger multiple organ systems. But may people are unaware that tobacco use is a ticket to more cavities and even causes plaque to form. Tobacco use has been shown to risk your health in many ways, including your oral health.

Tobacco and Cavities Go Hand In Hand

A major study examined teens who had used tobacco and those who had never used the drug. The evidence revealed that teens who had used tobacco had a higher rate of dental cavities, even when external factors such as socioeconomic status were controlled for. Another study that looked at females in correctional facilities revealed similar results. When your dental practitioner asks you to quit using tobacco for oral health reasons, you should know that their advice is backed by scientific evidence.

Smokeless Does Not Equal Danger-Free

While many people assume that smokeless tobacco such as chewing tobacco or snuff is a safer alternative to cigarettes for your oral health, evidence shows that they’re worse. Research shows higher incidences of cavities among users of smokeless tobacco. At least one study shows that regular non-smoked tobacco users have four times the risk of cavities at the tooth root. Chewing tobacco has been shown to have the highest risk of cavities more than any other type of tobacco use, and the longer one chews tobacco, the higher the risk that they’ll get cavities. Chewing tobacco has a high sugar content, and given that it’s held at the tooth root for extended periods of time, that increases the risk of cavities.

Biofilm Thrives in Nicotine

A scientific study has given some more insight into one of the ways tobacco use could increase the risk of cavities. Examinations of S. mutans (the bacteria most commonly associated with cavity-causing biofilms) showed that they were thicker and more metabolically active when exposed to nicotine.

What’s to Be Done?

It goes without saying that the best way to avoid oral health problems linked to tobacco use is never to use it in the first place. However, if you still use tobacco or have been a user before, be sure to visit your dentist regularly and keep up with your dental hygiene. Consider investing in products specifically designed to help control oral biofilm to help control known complications of using tobacco.

Bottom Line

so, can smoking cause cavities? The short answer is yes. Smoking increases the risk of cavities. It helps to spread the word that tobacco use is a danger not only to your dental health but also your overall health.

What is Plaque and How is it Formed? – Maintaining Healthy Oral Hygiene

Dental care is one of the most important aspects of your general health. You have to be aware of the fact that without proper care, your teeth can be more exposed to plaque and other problems. Plaque, being the most common dental problem, can happen to anyone. So, what is plaque and how is it formed? Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that can form on your teeth as a layer. When your teeth feel a bit fuzzy to your tongue, it is probably because of the plaque. This is most noticeable when you have not brushed.

What is Plaque and How is it Formed?

So, what is plaque and how is it formed? Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms as a layer on your teeth as a result of not brushing.

How is Plaque Formed?

Almost everyone develops plaque. Bacteria is constantly forming in your mouth. All of these bacteria use some of the ingredients in your mouth along with saliva to grow. The plaque is mainly developed when the foods that contain starches and sugars are left on the teeth. These foods can be soft drinks, cakes, candies, raisins and milk. Bacteria present in your mouth thrive on these foods and can cause cavities. As a result, they also produce some acids. Over time, these plaques can develop on the teeth as well as on the tooth roots. Slowly, the plaque results in breaking down the bones responsible for supporting the teeth.

How to Know if Plaque is Forming?

Almost everyone develops plaque because of the bacteria present in your mouth. The bacteria constantly attack your teeth, thus forming an acid. This acid attack can make your tooth enamel weak causing it to break down. It may eventually form a cavity. So, if you are having sugary or starchy food all the time, then the chances are quite high that you will get plaque. If you notice swollen gums or a black layer on the teeth, then the plaque is surely forming.

How to Prevent Formation of Plaque?

It is important to prevent the formation of plaque in order to stop tooth decaying. Here are some of the steps that you can take when preventing the plague:

Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day with a rounded tip and soft bristled toothbrush. While brushing, pay minute attention to the gaps and spaces in the gums. Also be sure to remove your wisdom teeth to prevent any sores or bacteria building up in areas where you can reach with a toothbrush.
Besides just brushing, it is also important to floss the teeth at least once every day. This can remove the food residues and particles that can cause the growth of bacteria.
You must use one of the best antibacterial mouth rinses for reducing the bacteria that can cause gum diseases and plaque.
You must eat a healthy balanced diet and limit the amount of candies and sugary foods you have. Choosing nutritious foods like fruits, yogurts and vegetables can help the saliva to neutralize the acids that cause plaque and can also help with your health.

Conclusion

So,what is plaque and how is it formed? Then, you probably have got the answer. You need to make sure that you take the essential steps to prevent the buildup of plaque. For better suggestions and treatments, you need to visit an experienced dental expert or dentist to ensure that your dental hygiene doesn’t affect your overall health.

How Does Sugar Cause Cavities? – Effects on Tooth Enamel

It’s common knowledge that sugar can lead to tooth decay. However, only a handful of people are aware of how that happens. As young kids, we’re taught that sugar results in cavities, and if we want to avoid painful procedures, we must avoid sugary things that put us at risk. But that’s only half the story. What most people don’t realize is that it’s not the sugar itself that does the damage, but rather the sequence of events that take place after eating that tasty chocolate. So, how does sugar cause cavities?

How Does Sugar Cause Cavities?

How Cavities Develop

According to research findings, the mouth is full of bacteria, many of which are beneficial to the oral ecosystem. However, certain harmful bacteria will feed on the sugar in your mouth and create acids that destroy the tooth enamel (the tooth’s shiny outer protective layer). As such, cavities are an infection that causes holes in your teeth. If you fail to treat cavities, they can progress into deeper layers of the tooth. This can be very painful and possibly result in tooth loss.

A Constant Battle in The Mouth

Your teeth are frequently attacked by acids in the mouth. Fortunately, this damage is constantly being reversed. Acids leach minerals from your enamel through a process referred to as demineralization. The good news, however, is that the teeth are strengthened all over again through the natural process of remineralization. And the biggest player in the remineralization process is your saliva.

Saliva is rich in minerals such as calcium and phosphates to help repair your teeth. Another critical mineral that helps to repair a weakened enamel is fluoride. Nonetheless, remineralization can only do so much to prevent the effects of sugar on your teeth, especially if you consume lots of sugars and starches throughout the day. The best way to give your mouth a fighting chance to fix the damage is by limiting your intake of sugar.

Ways to Remineralize Tooth Enamel

Dental experts offer several tips on the prevention of cavities. In addition to cutting down your sugar intake, experts recommend stimulating the flow of saliva to help bathe your teeth in minerals. Consuming fibrous fruits and vegetables and chewing sugarless gum, for example, are good ways to stimulate saliva flow.

Black and green teas also contain substances that help to suppress harmful bacteria in your mouth, so adding a few cups into your daily routine, without sugar, can go a long way in keeping a healthy balance in your mouth. Additionally, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products also contain calcium and phosphates that help to strengthen your teeth.

Fluoride helps to not only prevent but also reverse tooth decay in its early stages. So, brush your teeth daily with fluoride toothpaste and drink plenty of fluoridated water.

Bottom Line

So how does sugar cause cavities? Cavities are a result of a chain of events that take place after taking sugary things. The secret to preventing the negative effects of sugar on your teeth is to be vigilant.

How Dental Health Affects Overall Health – FYI

Taking good care of your teeth, gums and mouth are essential for your dental health. How dental health affects overall health can help to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Many people ask the question: is there a connection to oral health and whole-body health. The case for good oral health keeps getting stronger as researchers are discovering new reasons to ensure proper dental health. The health of your mouth has plenty to do with your overall health. A look inside a swab of saliva can tell volumes about what’s going on inside your body.

How Dental Health Affects Overall Health

Oral Signs and Symptoms

Your mouth can reveal what’s going on inside your body. It often serves as a helpful way to detect the early signs and symptoms of systemic disease – a disease that affects your entire body and not just it’s parts. According to various research findings, most systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms.

Saliva is a Helpful Diagnostic Tool

How Dental Health Affects Overall Health

Your physician can collect and test saliva for diagnostic purposes. For instance, cortisol levels in saliva can be used to test for stress responses in newborn babies and certain cancer markers can be detected in saliva. Routine saliva testing can also measure environmental toxins, illegal drugs, antibodies and hormones indicating HIV infection or hepatitis, among other things.

Protection Against Harmful Invaders

Saliva is one of your body’s main defenses against disease-causing organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. it contains proteins that inhibit the growth of naturally occurring fungus and antibodies that attack viruses such as HIV and the common cold. Saliva also helps to protect you against disease-causing bacteria and disrupts viral bacterial enzyme systems.

Dental Plaque

Saliva can help to protect you against some invaders, but it can’t always do the job. More than 500 species of bacteria thrive in your mouth constantly forming a sticky, colorless film called dental plaque that can cling to your teeth and cause health problems.

Your Mouth as a Source of Infection

Failing to brush and floss your teeth regularly can lead to the buildup of plaque along your gum line, which creates a conducive environment for bacteria to accumulate in the space between your teeth and gums. This gum infection is referred to as gingivitis and can lead to a more serious infection called periodontitis.

Oral bacteria wouldn’t normally get into your bloodstream. However, routine flossing and brushing, if you have gum disease or invasive dental procedures, can provide an entry point for microbes. Antibiotics that mess up the balance of bacteria in your mouth and treatments and medications that reduce the flow of saliva can also lower your mouth’s normal defense mechanisms, allowing bacteria to get into your bloodstream. You should also be wary when your wisdom teeth begin to grow.

How dental health affects overall health is something to consider. Research suggests that there may be an association between oral infections and preterm birth, cardiovascular disease and poorly controlled diabetes. So, is there a connection to oral health and whole-body health? The short answer is yes. As such, practicing good oral hygiene is like making an investment in your overall health.

Why We Should Remove Wisdom Teeth – Oral Hygiene

Why should we remove wisdom teeth? Most people at some point in their life are forced to have their wisdom teeth removed. It is never a comfortable process, and many find themselves questioning why wisdom teeth are even in a human’s mouth in the first place. They seem to do nothing but get in the way.

Why We Should Remove Wisdom Teeth

So, just how beneficial is it to have wisdom teeth removed? Below are a few reasons why we should remove wisdom teeth as soon as they start causing problems.

Original use

In the early days of human life, wisdom teeth actually did serve a purpose. They are strong, powerful teeth that are very capable of tearing through raw meat, nuts and other tough foods.

These days, humans have different ways to make food a little bit easier to consume. Not only that, but brain size has increased, and jawbone size has decreased. That basically means there is no longer room for 32 teeth in a person’s mouth. Since wisdom teeth are not needed, they are the first to go.

Issues with Wisdom Teeth

Not only are wisdom teeth not needed, but they can cause a lot of trouble just by being there. If wisdom teeth are not removed once they start to cause a little bit of discomfort, things can get tougher and tougher in a hurry.

Impacted Tooth

A wisdom tooth can start to be positioned horizontally, and that puts pressure on the tooth next to it. An impacted wisdom tooth just makes everything a lot tougher, including the procedure to get it removed.

Cavities/Decay

Wisdom teeth are also very prone to decay. Even those people who brush every day and are very diligent about getting the entire mouth are much more likely to miss when wisdom teeth because they are so far back. Cavities are very prevalent with wisdom teeth compared to the rest of the mouth.

Disease/Infection

Related to the decaying process, wisdom teeth are pretty prone to infection and diseases as well. Infections can be formed if an impacted wisdom tooth starts the cause a cyst around the job on area. The cyst can do some major damage to the roots or bone in the mouth area. These very same impacted wisdom teeth can also develop gum disease pretty easily if they are trapped.

Identifying the Issue

If a person makes regular visits to the dentist, there is a very good chance that they will be able to make the call on when to exactly remove wisdom teeth. They can usually tell when problems look like they may be forming. That is why it is so important to set up regular visits to the dentist twice a year if possible.

Issues can pop up at any time during the year, and an emergency consultation can be set up if that is the case. It is in no way beneficial to simply wait until the next checkup if there is any level of discomfort.

Proper dental care limits issues

Wisdom teeth really end up being just major nuisances at the end of the day. They don’t provide any value in the mouth, and not removing them could end up causing a lot of damage. That is why we should remove wisdom teeth. Make sure to listen to the dentist when they recommend going through with the oral surgery.