Category: Uncategorized

What do we suffer from Bad breath?
Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.If you don’t brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath.

What Can I Do to Prevent Bad Breath?
Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:

• Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch). Don’t forget to brush the tongue, too.
• Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or after an illness. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.
• See your dentist regularly — at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning and will be able to detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.
• Stop smoking and chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
• Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist.
• Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think they may be causing bad breath, bring the log to your dentist to review.
• Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some drugs may play a role in creating mouth odors.

What is the Treatment for bad breath?
• The best method to reduce halitosis is good oral hygiene. This ensures that cavities are avoided and reduces the likelihood of gum disease.
• It is recommended that individuals visit the dentist for a check-up and cleaning twice a year.
• The dentist may recommend a toothpaste that includes an antibacterial agent or an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Alternatively, if gum disease is present, professional cleaning may be necessary to clear out the build-up of bacteria in pockets between the gums and teeth.

What is Denture relining?
If you’re a denture wearer, and your dentures have begun to fit less comfortably than in the past, you may wish to consider having them relined. Denture relining is a simple and affordable procedure that reshapes the underside of a denture to make it more comfortable as it rests against your gums. Relining dentures adds material to the inner plate that hugs your gums, either to conform to any changes in the underlying hard and soft tissue in your mouth or to repair and replace lost or broken parts of the denture.Your dentist will often be able to reline your dentures in the office if only a small adjustment is necessary. You dentist may also take impressions of your mouth. Big changes to the fit of the denture might require mailing it to a laboratory to perform the relining. This would mean living without dentures for several days.

When is Denture Relining Indicated?
Re-lining is a temporary solution for ill fitting dentures

• loss of retention
• instability
• food trapping
• abused mucosa
• as a temporary measure to maintain function of an immediate denture
• Whenever the denture loses or has poor adaptation to the underlying tissues WHILST all other factors and denture base material satisfactory

When is Relining of Dentures not enough?
• Worn out dentures
• loss of vertical dimension greater than 7mm
• significant mucosal inflammation
• poor denture aesthetics
• denture related speech problems

What is Tray Whitening?
When it comes to tooth-whitening, you’ve got two options: in-office-based teeth bleaching, or at-home care. With theTray-based tooth bleaching systems, a mouth guard-like tray is filled with a peroxide-based bleaching gel or paste and placed over the teeth for one to several hours a day for up to four weeks.
Generally, the longer you keep a stronger solution on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become. However, the higher the percentage of peroxide in the whitening solution, the shorter it should be applied to the teeth. Keeping the gel on longer will dehydrate the tooth and increase tooth sensitivity.

What are the benefits of Tray Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a safe, life-enhancing process that can have positive effect on both your physical appearance and psychological health. Here are 4 benefits of teeth whitening:
1. Teeth whitening boosts your self confidence
With teeth whitening, your self-confidence will skyrocket. Whiter teeth are also an indication to others that you take care of yourself and care about your appearance.

2. Teeth whitening enhances your appearance
You might have the healthiest teeth and straightest smile but you’re not immune to the damage that everyone faces from everyday food and drink. Teeth whitening will help combat stains from your everyday food and drink.

3. Teeth whitening minimizes the look of wrinkles
Instead of focusing on wrinkles, people are more likely to focus on your bright white smile.

4. Teeth whitening doesn’t break the bank
Teeth whitening doesn’t cost as much as a plastic surgery! A touch-up kit after an in-office treatment will be enough to prolong the effect of your teeth whitening.

How Often Should I Whiten my Teeth?
Whitening your teeth too often increases the risk of negative side effects, such as tooth sensitivity and damage to tooth enamel and gums. But there’s no official guideline for how often whitening can be done safely. That’s why it’s important to get your dentist’s recommendation and always follow product instructions. Some people notice that the whiteness fades after just one month, while others can go a year before needing another whitening treatment.

What is Teeth/Crown lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a procedure to address an excessive gingival display, otherwise known as a gummy smile.A person with a gummy smile appears to have short teeth. Their teeth are actually the typical size, but excess gum tissue partially covers them.
The crown is the part of the tooth that is visible above the gumline. Some people request crown lengthening for cosmetic purposes, while others need the procedure to expose decayed or broken areas of teeth.A periodontist — a gum specialist — may perform a crown lengthening to expose more tooth structure before they can fit a bridge or perform another restorative dental procedure.

Why is a Teeth Lengthening procedure recommended?
Dentists may perform crown lengthening procedures to:

address cosmetic concerns
expose cavities beneath the gumline
expose fractured areas of tooth
expose more tooth structure before they can fit a device such as a bridge

What happens during a crown lengthening procedure?
Your periodontist will perform the crown lengthening during an outpatient procedure. This means you can go home afterward. Most people receive local anesthesia and may receive a sedative as well. The periodontist cuts the gums to pull them away from the teeth, exposing the roots and bone. In some cases, only the gum tissue needs to be removed. The surgeon then washes the surgical area with salt water before suturing. They suture the gums back together, sometimes placing a bandage over the area for additional protection.

What is Brush Abrasion?
Abrasion is the abnormal wear of a tooth. It is usually caused by a toothpaste that is too abrasive or gritty or by aggressive brushing with a hard bristled brush.Toothbrush abrasion is the damage and wear that is caused by brushing your teeth and gums too hard. You’ll usually see it near the gum line

What are the Symptoms of Abrasion?
Common symptoms include increased sensitivity to heat. For example, your gums may burn when drinking hot drinks. Some people also report an increased sensitivity to cold. Your teeth may seem to sting when eating cold foods such as ice cream. If allowed to progress, abrasion can lead to the erosion of tooth enamel.

What are the steps to Prevent Abrasion?
• You should use the least abrasive toothpaste possible, i.e. toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• You should use a soft toothbrush. Brush with a circular, not back and forward, motion.
• Brush gently. Plaque is soft and is easily removed, so there’s no need for you to use excessive pressure. Remember to “brush,” not scrub!
• Reducing the frequency of drinking carbonated drinks and fruit juices with high levels of acidity is the key to preventing erosion of the teeth

What is a Fractured Cusp?
A weakened cusp often leads to a fracture, which could be removed by your dentist, or it might break off on its own. A root canal might be in order, if the pulp ends up damaged, and quite possibly a full crown.A cracked tooth presents itself with various types of symptoms, including pain when chewing, temperature sensitivities, or even discomfort upon the release of biting pressure. It’s also not unusual for the pain to go away, then come back, which makes it harder to diagnose why there is discomfort

What are the Causes of a cracked tooth?
Teeth crack because of a variety of issues, including:
• pressure from teeth grinding
• fillings so large they weaken the integrity of the tooth
• chewing or biting hard foods, such as ice, nuts, or hard candy
• blows to the mouth, such as might happen with a car accident, sporting injury, fall, or even a fistfight
• abrupt changes in temperature in the mouth — for instance, from eat something extremely hot and then trying to cool your mouth with ice water
• age, with most teeth cracks occurring in people over 50

What are the Treatment Options for Fractured Cusp?
Depending on the severity of the fracture:
• Filing – Part of the tooth can be filed down, if the crack is minor. This will take the edge off and will likely be enough, unless it cracks further for some reason.
• Dental Bonding – The fractured portion of the tooth is bound together, or partial replacement, with a white filling material.
• Crown – If the tooth has a significant crack, the doctor might suggest a crown. This will cover the cracked tooth, protecting it from further cracking.
• Root Canal – If the crack has reached into the pulp, it could affect the nerve, creating intense pain. At this point, it will be recommended you have a root canal performed. The pulp is cleansed, and then filled. Afterward, a crown will be placed on the tooth.

What is a dental bridge?
If you have missing teeth, your dentist can close — or bridge — the gaps in your smile with dental bridges. A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a pontic) that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Although pontics can be made from a variety of materials such as gold, typically they’re made from porcelain to aesthetically blend in with your natural teeth.

Why do I need a dental bridge?
When you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, it can affect you in a number of ways. A dental bridge can address those changes, including:

• restoring your smile
• restoring the ability to properly chew
• restoring your speech and pronunciation
• maintaining the shape of your face
• re-adjusting your bite to properly distribute the force when you chew
• preventing your remaining teeth from moving out of the correct position.

What are the advantages of dental bridges?
• Dental bridges are usually small, lightweight, providing excellent chewing comfort
• They correct and re-distribute the normal bite force, compromised by your missing teeth
• Getting used to your new dental bridge is usually easy and comfortable
• Helps maintain the shape of your face
• Controls shifting and moving of adjoining teeth
• Enhances your natural speaking and eating ability
• Only 2 – 3 appointments are needed to complete your bridge restoration
• The longevity factor and general prognosis is good, if your hygiene and home care is maintained at a heightened level

What is Gum Disease?
Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is inflammation of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth and is most commonly a result of poor dental hygiene. Gingivitis is a very common condition and varies widely in severity. It is characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when teeth are brushed or flossed. Gingivitis is not the same thing as periodontitis. Gingivitis always precedes and acts as a warning sign for the more serious condition of periodontitis.

What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of gum disease include:
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums or longer appearing teeth
• Bright red, swollen gums that bleed very easily, even during brushing or flossing
• A bad taste or persistent mouth odor
• White spots or plaques on the gums
• Gums that look like they’re pulling away from the teeth
• Pus between gums or interdental spaces
• Loose teeth or tooth loss

What is the treatment for gum disease?
The treatment goals for gingivitis are to identify and eliminate the factors that make the person more susceptible to gum disease. Most factors can be eliminated by establishing more consistent and thorough oral hygiene habits and professional dental cleanings. If there are certain risk factors such as smoking or uncontrolled diabetes that are contributing to the gum disease, they need to be addressed or eliminated to have success in reversing gingivitis. After the plaque and tartar are removed by a dentist or dental hygienist, the patient can usually eliminate gingivitis by brushing and flossing after every meal.

In individuals where gingivitis has led to periodontal disease and there are deep pockets that are difficult to clean, the patient may require deep scaling and root planing to clean teeth that are surrounded by deep pockets. Soft-tissue grafts cover up root surfaces exposed by receding gums. This can help eliminate sensitive teeth and protect the root surfaces that are softer and more difficult to clean.Laser therapy is another treatment to help increase gum health. The gum pocket is treated with a soft-tissue laser to eliminate the harmful bacteria deep in the periodontal pockets, remove unhealthy tissue, and help stimulate healing.

What are white inlays ?
Porcelain inlays (tooth coloured) are restorations placed usually on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.An inlay fits within the confines of the teeth. The procedure involves removing decayed tooth structure or old fillings, preparing the tooth cavity, taking an impression of the cavity to fabricate a custom-fit inlay or onlay. Two visits are required to complete the treatment.

What are the Benefits of porcelain inlays?
• More Conservative Treatment: As compared to a dental crown, inlays require less tooth reduction. Your dentist need only remove the compromised tissue before placing the restoration. Dental crowns, on the other hand, require your dentist to remove a more significant portion of your tooth to accommodate the restoration.’
• Natural-Looking Results: Inlays can replace old, worn amalgam restorations. Porcelain can be shade-matched to blend seamlessly with neighboring teeth and beautifully mimics the sheen of natural enamel. Porcelain is also stain-resistant, so you can feel confident that your restoration will remain bright and vibrant over time.
• Easy Care: Daily at-home care for inlays is no different than that of healthy, natural teeth. You should brush and floss daily and visit the dentist for biannual checkups to ensure your restoration is strong and secure. Should your inlay become loose, painful, crack, or fall out completely, contact your dentist as soon as possible to schedule a visit.

What are the outcomes of Inlays?
Inlays are durable — they’re made from tough, hard-wearing materials which last up to 30 years. They help to strengthen teeth by up to 75%, unlike traditional metal fillings which can actually reduce the strength of the teeth.