It’s essential that you get your teeth professionally cleaned to remove plaque. On your next appointment, here are the steps your dentist will take to ensure your smile is bright and healthy.

Key takeaways:

• Your dentist will begin by removing the plaque on your teeth and conducting an oral cancer screening.

• After that, they will clean, floss and properly polish your teeth. 

• Lastly, they will rinse your mouth and apply fluoride treatment that will protect your teeth against cavities. 

Your dentist is happy to answer any questions about your oral health during your cleaning.

Read more at https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/teeth-cleaning/

You may want to transform your smile, but skip the hassles of unsightly braces. Today, there are alternative methods that are just as effective and far less noticeable. These include:

Dental veneers – Dental veneers can be used on crooked, chipped, gapped or stained teeth. Veneers do not correct problems with the teeth but are a cosmetic solution that mask any issues and look natural.

Dental bonding – Ideal for shaping the teeth or filling gaps, dental bonding uses a composite resin that is colour-matched to the surrounding teeth.

Lingual braces – Performing the same function as traditional braces but placed at the back of the teeth, lingual braces are almost unnoticeable from the front.

Invisalign – This treatment involves clear and removable aligners to straighten teeth.

Any of these methods work as an alternative for braces but which one is most suitable should be discussed with the dentist as each individual has different requirements and desired results. 

Read more at https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/%e2%80%8bneed-an-alternative-to-braces-check-out-these-cosmetic-dentistry-options/

Our tooth enamel may be strong but like other parts of the body, the enamel can develop an infection that can be detrimental to our general health if left untreated. So what causes tooth infections? Keep reading to find out.

• Tooth decay can slowly eat through the enamel, reach the pulp and cause an infection to develop. 

• Injured teeth can develop cracks that can introduce bacteria inside the tooth and cause an infection.

• Damaged dental fillings or crowns can also cause tooth infections.

Visit your dentist if you begin experiencing toothaches, sensitivity and neck pain.

Read more at https://yourdentalhealthresouce.com/what-can-cause-infection-in-a-tooth/

A bone graft involves bone or synthetic material to replace or regenerate bone in the jaw. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia. There are a few reasons why your dentist may suggest having a dental bone graft.

Key takeaways:

• Jawbone grafts are often used to regenerate bone so that dental implants can be inserted successfully when replacing missing teeth.

• Severe gum disease can harm the jawbone as well as gums and can cause bone loss.

• Osteoporosis or a jaw injury may cause bone deterioration.

Your dentist can discuss bone grafts and answer any queries. If you are considering dental implants, your dentist may discuss the need for a bone graft too.

“…less jawbone can mean you aren’t a candidate for dental implants….you can dramatically increase the success of your dental implants for a beautiful and natural-looking smile.”

Read the full article here:

https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/when-is-a-bone-graft-necessary/

Retainers are part of the treatment process to straighten crooked teeth. Your dentist may recommend that you wear a retainer at night for one year, or indefinitely after the treatment is complete. This helps to maintain your teeth in their new positions.

Key takeaways:

– Teeth continue to shift so a retainer helps keep teeth straight.

– Some people who stop wearing their retainer at night will require further treatment in the future.

– Keep your retainer by your toothbrush to make it part of your nighttime oral care routine.

To ensure that your teeth remain straight and to maintain your new smile, make sure that you follow your dentist’s advice and continue to wear your retainer.

“…wearing your retainer is the best way to keep your smile straight and prevent the need for future treatment.”

Read the full article:

https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/do-i-really-need-to-wear-my-retainer-forever-and-why/

You’ve probably noticed your teeth are quite sensitive to hot and cold foods/drinks. These are often symptoms of a condition called receding gums — and below we explain what causes it.

Key takeaways:

• When plaque accumulates around your gum line, gum disease can develop and make the gums pull away (recede). 

• Aggressively brushing your teeth can also make your gums swell and recede. 

• Pregnancy and misaligned teeth can cause gum disease which may later result in receding gums.

Talk to your dentist if you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity. See your dentist every six months so these problems get treated promptly, to avoid further complications.

Read more https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/why-do-gums-recede/

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a disorder that affects the jaw joint, causing pain or discomfort when speaking or chewing. Although TMJ can be chronic, there may be cure for it depending on the root cause.

Key takeaways:

• TMJ caused by teeth grinding can improve if you address the underlying condition.
• The same applies if TMJ is the result of an accident, whose effects may improve over time.
• Treating arthritis can alleviate TMJ symptoms.

If you experience jaw pain that extends to the teeth or mouth, don’t hesitate to visit your dentist.

Read the full story here: https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/can-tmj-be-cured/

Chipped, broken or cracked teeth can lead to serious oral problems if left untreated. Here are a few things you should keep in mind if you have a crack in your tooth — or if you suspect that your tooth is cracked.

Key takeaways:

• A tooth can get cracked from blunt force trauma, chewing hard foods and objects such as pens and grinding your teeth. Also, large fillings can put immense pressure on the tooth and cause it to fracture. 

• Cracks on your tooth may not be visible but after a while you may start experiencing pain and tooth sensitivity. 

• Cracks often require minimal treatment such as dental bonding. However, visit your dentist as soon as you spot the fracture because it can get worse and result in a painful infection.

Seek your dentist’s advice to know if your cracked tooth needs professional treatment.

Read more here https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/does-a/cracked-tooth-have-to-be-fixed/

Chronic dry mouth is caused by a reduction in the amount of saliva produced. Saliva is important in maintaining the health of teeth and gums, and your dentist can recommend ways to improve saliva production to treat chronic dry mouth.

Key takeaways:

• Saliva washes away bacteria and acids which can harm your dental health, with reduced saliva levels increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
• Chronic dry mouth means there is not enough saliva present to maintain the balance of the natural fungus Candida albicans, which can result in oral thrush — white patches in the mouth.
• There are a number of ways to counter chronic dry mouth, including sipping more water and chewing sugar-free gum.

“Dry mouth can increase your risk for oral infections, tooth decay, and gum disease, not to mention bad breath. Ask your dentist how you can help treat your dry mouth to protect your smile!”

Read the full story here

https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/can-chronic-dry-mouth-harm-your-dental-health/

Teeth grinding (aka, bruxism) affects your teeth and jaw, however people are often unaware that they grind their teeth at night.

Key takeaways:

• Teeth grinding puts pressure on the teeth and gums which can lead to inflammation and damage to connective tissue.

• Damage can cause tooth injury, sensitivity and uneven wear.

• The jaw can become painful through overuse and lead to related temporomandibular issues (TMJ) like waking with headaches.

If you suspect you grind your teeth, make an appointment with your dentist.

“The truth is that teeth grinding can have a bigger impact on your oral health than you might think.”

More: https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/long-term-impacts-of-teeth-grinding/