Tooth reshaping may be the right choice for people who want to subtly alter the appearance of their teeth but don’t need dramatic cosmetic work done. Here’s how dental contouring may be able to help you and what you can expect during your appointment.

Issues Dental Contouring Can Fix

Dental contouring is considered to be a cosmetic procedure, meaning it won’t be able to fix any major issues with your teeth. However, dental contouring can fix several cosmetic issues with your smile, including:

 Pointy or irregularly shaped teeth
 Visible chips in the teeth
 Teeth that overlap
 Uneven length of neighboring teeth

Tooth reshaping procedures are most often done on the upper front teeth such as your central incisors, lateral incisors, and sometimes the canines, as these teeth are seen the most when you smile.

How Dental Contouring Is Done

During your consultation for dental contouring, your dentist will want to take x-rays to evaluate your oral health to determine if tooth reshaping is the right procedure for you.

Tooth reshaping is used to fix smaller imperfections in the smile, so if you’re looking for more extensive work or dramatic results, this procedure might not be your best choice.

If you and your dentist decide to move forward with the procedure, you’ll discuss what teeth you want reshaped and why. During your actual appointment for dental contouring, your dentist will use tools to remove a small amount of tooth enamel to subtly change the shape, length, or appearance of one or more of your teeth.

The amount of enamel removed during this procedure is tiny, but even this miniscule amount can make a difference in the appearance of your teeth. Your dentist may also combine the procedure with tooth bonding, which uses a tooth-colored composite resin to correct imperfections.

Finally, your dentist will polish the teeth so that everything looks uniform and normal for your new and improved smile!

Benefits of Tooth Reshaping

One of the best benefits of tooth reshaping is that the procedure is relatively quick and provides instantaneous results. You’ll be able to go home that same day and enjoy your new smile!

Another benefit of tooth reshaping is that it’s a painless procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia. As there aren’t any sensory nerves in your tooth enamel, you won’t feel any pain with the tiny amount of enamel that your dentist removes.

Dental contouring is considered to be a safe procedure that can solve numerous cosmetic issues with your smile that’s cost effective compared to other treatments!

Dental contouring provides an effective, fast solution for people who want minor things changed about their smile. You and your dentist can discuss if this procedure would be the best solution to make changes in your teeth to create a flawless smile. Contact your oral healthcare professional today to ask about dental contouring!

The post What Is Dental Contouring and How Does It Work? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

An estimated 10 million people experience some type of problem with their TMJ, whether it’s
due to an improper bite, arthritis, or even stress and teeth grinding. If you’re looking for TMJ
relief, you may be able to try the following dentist recommended exercises to treat your TMJ
disorder.

Resisted Opening Exercise

Resisted opening exercises can help strengthen your jaw muscles and provide some relief for
TMJ tension. To perform a resisted opening exercise, place your thumb or thumbs underneath
your chin. Push your thumbs against your chin gently while opening your mouth. You can keep
your mouth open for about three seconds before closing it and repeat.

Relaxation Exercise

Relaxation exercises can help to ease sore jaw muscles associated with a TMJ disorder. To try a
relaxation exercise, place your tongue on the top of your mouth behind your front teeth. Allow
your jaw to open, keeping your muscles relaxed. You can also slowly close your mouth, keeping
your tongue in the same position.

Mild Resisted Opening Exercises

During mild resisted opening exercises, you can again place your tongue on the roof of your
mouth as in the previous exercise. Next, put one finger where your TMJ is—this will be just in
front of your ear. Put another finger from your opposite hand on your chin. Apply gentle
pressure on both fingers on your TMJ and chin.

Next, allow your lower jaw to open about halfway and close. For full opening, perform the same
process, except allow your jaw to completely open and then close. You should feel some
resistance here, but not pain. If the exercise is painful, do not continue.

Stress Management

Since stress is a major factor in many TMJ disorders, it may benefit you to try some relaxation
techniques in your daily life to cope with stress. Relaxation processes will be different for
everyone, but many people find that breathing techniques, meditation, yoga, or other forms of
exercise can help them manage their stress.

Following Up with Your Dentist

There are other ways to manage and treat your TMJ pain. It’s essential to follow up with your dentist. If any of these exercises are painful, do not continue them. Allowing your dentist to
examine your TMJ and determine the cause can help you uncover exercises and treatment
techniques that will work for you.

TMJ disorders are absolutely treatable and can be managed. For some people, determining the
cause of their TMJ disorder can help implement a successful treatment process to make their
pain go away permanently. For others, managing their stress and triggers for TMJ pain can help
effectively manage the disorder.

Your dentist is the first step to alleviating discomfort in your TMJ. By scheduling a simple exam,
you can determine if you suffer from a TMJ disorder and what treatments are available to help
you feel better today!

The post Dentist Recommended Exercises to Treat TMJ appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

A TMJ disorder is best diagnosed by a professional dentist who can evaluate the signs and
symptoms of your TMJ pain and talk with you about treatment. In the meantime, what are the
signs that a person might have a TMJ disorder?

Clicking or Popping Noises in Your Jaw

One of the most common signs that a person has an issue with their TMJ is a cracking, clicking,
or popping noise in the jaw. This noise is most commonly heard when opening or closing your
mouth, such as when speaking or chewing.

These noises can not only be aggravating, but usually come with some discomfort as well,
making them a sign of TMJ disorders that shouldn’t be ignored.

Jaw Pain or Additional Pain

People who suffer from a TMJ disorder commonly have jaw pain or other pain that radiates
tension throughout their head, neck, and in some cases, even the shoulders and back. When
the joint isn’t able to function properly, the jaw muscles surrounding the joint can become
tense and sore.

This tension can then radiate outwards and cause everything from jaw pain to headaches and
neck and back pain. Even earaches have been associated with TMJ pain, so don’t hesitate to
talk with your dentist if you’re having unexplained pain in your jaw that’s affecting other areas
of your body.

You Have Unexplainable Medical Problems

If you have medical problems that can’t be explained by any other cause, it might be a TMJ
disorder. These conditions may include:

* Chronic ear pain or infections. If these infections or pain don’t have any specific cause, it might be time to get your TMJ checked out—this joint is located very close to the ear and can cause problems!

* Ringing in the ears. If you have tinnitus without any definitive cause, this could be the result of a TMJ disorder as well.

* Bruxism. If you grind your teeth, you may be seeing signs of a TMJ disorder. Bruxism can happen for people who have a misaligned bite and can put excessive pressure on the jaw, therefore aggravating your TMJ. In addition, grinding your teeth can also be caused by tension in your jaw and therefore be a sign of a problem with your TMJ.

* Migraines. Tension headaches or migraines have long been associated with problems
with the TMJ. Any unexplained or persistent migraines may warrant an exam from your dentist!

Don’t wait to get any of the above problems evaluated to see if TMJ could be the culprit!

Are you seeing signs of a TMJ disorder in your daily life? Your dentist can examine your jaw as
well as your bite to provide you with a more specific diagnosis. Make an appointment with your
dentist today—TMJ disorders are treatable and you don’t have to suffer from these signs and
symptoms!

The post How Do I Know if I Have TMJ? What Are the Signs? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Gold has many advantages for restoring teeth: it’s biocompatible, meaning there’s an extremely small chance the body would react to it. It’s not considered to be toxic to the body, resists corrosion, and is durable and versatile.

Although the demand for gold used in dentistry has dwindled, it’s still used today. When is gold used for smiles?

For Smaller Cavities

The use of pure gold in dentistry is rare; typically, it’s mixed with other metals to form what’s called gold alloy. However, pure gold is occasionally used for very small cavities in the mouth. Gold fillings also last the longest of all the filling materials available. As a result of this and other factors, gold tends to be one of the more expensive materials used to restore teeth, so gold isn’t as popular today when there are other dental filling materials available that are less noticeable and less expensive.

Inlays and Onlays

Gold alloy, which is a mixture of gold with other metals including silver, copper, and zinc, is used for inlays and onlays in large cavities.

When tooth decay is too extensive to support a normal filling but not extensive enough for a dental crown, your dentist may use an inlay or an onlay to restore the tooth. Both of these treat larger cavities without dental crowns, appearing as something between a crown and a filling.

While an inlay typically covers the space at the center of the tooth, an onlay may cover the additional sides of the tooth in addition to the center. Onlays are sometimes called partial crowns because of their extensive coverage.

Dental Crowns

Gold alloy may also be used for dental crowns. There are numerous advantages to using gold for a dental crown as opposed to ceramic:

 Gold seals very well, reducing the chance that bacteria would affect your tooth.

 Gold requires the smallest amount of healthy tooth tissue to be removed compared to other materials when placing the crown.

 Gold is very resistant to corrosion and wear, giving it the potential to last for decades.

 Patients tolerate gold very well and tend to not react to it.

Although gold dental crowns are generally only reserved for teeth that are in the back of the mouth, some people don’t mind having a noticeable gold tooth and will opt for a gold crown in the front of their mouth.

Gold certainly has its advantages when used in modern dentistry, although it’s not as popular today as it was even decades ago. Dentists still use gold for the appropriate applications in dentistry to help protect and restore teeth, especially for fillings, inlays and onlays, and dental crowns.

If you’re curious about the advantages of using gold to restore your smile, talk to your dentist about why this material would be used and if it’s right for you!

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Do we really need our wisdom teeth when so many people are getting them removed? Here’s
why those third molars in the back of your mouth are largely unnecessary.

Not Needed for Modern Food

Wisdom teeth were needed in the days of our ancestors, where tough foods like meat and
roots were a large part of the diet and necessitated these big teeth.

Although roots and meat are still a part of our modern diet, these teeth aren’t necessary for the
majority of the foods we consume today. Our existing teeth are perfectly able to eat fruits,
vegetables, meats, and other protein sources without these huge molars.

Wisdom teeth are speculated to be an evolutionary aspect of our mouths but are no longer
needed for modern day life.

Our Jaws Are Smaller

For many people today, the jaw is much smaller than those of our ancestors. Eons ago, there
was not only plenty of room for these wisdom teeth, but they were used. Today, not only are
our jaws shorter and smaller than they were back then, but these teeth are also not used being
so far back in our smaller mouths.

Many people need to have their wisdom teeth removed because they’re impacted as the result
of the jaw not having enough room to accommodate the teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth may
come in at odd angles—sometimes even sideways—and are often painful and have the
potential to get infected as they push against the other teeth and struggle to erupt through the
gumline.

What to Do with Your Wisdom Teeth

Some people may not need to have their wisdom teeth removed. A simple x-ray can tell where
your wisdom teeth are and if they are impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth will likely need to be
removed, as they can cause many problems with the mouth and are often painful.

A visit to your dentist can tell you whether or not your wisdom teeth will need to be removed.
Wisdom tooth removal is very common and is often a simple procedure that only requires a
couple days of recovery time. If your wisdom teeth don’t need to be removed, your dentist can keep an eye on them as they come through the gumline to ensure they erupt properly and stay healthy.

Although wisdom teeth had their use many years ago, today, wisdom teeth are largely
unnecessary for most people. Although not everyone will need to have their wisdom teeth
removed, getting your wisdom teeth evaluated can help you determine whether they are
healthy or if you may need to consider removal!

The post Do We Need Our Wisdom Teeth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease and can be brought on by an influx of hormones in pregnant women. Gingivitis causes gum swelling, which can mean your gums may feel tender and can even bleed during brushing. You should never let gum disease go untreated while pregnant, as research links gum disease with premature babies and low birth weight.

It’s safe to get cleanings and treatment for gum disease during your pregnancy. Your dentist may suggest that you come in for checkups and cleanings more often while you’re pregnant. You can protect both you and your child by looking for the signs of gum disease and getting checkups with your dentist!

Enamel Damage

More than half of all pregnant women will experience morning sickness at some point during their pregnancy. Vomiting causes harsh stomach acids to enter the mouth, therefore attacking tooth enamel and leading to an increased risk for cavities. Not exactly what you want to be worried about when you’re not feeling well!

Keeping up with your dental routine can help prevent enamel damage and protect your teeth from cavities. Never brush your teeth immediately after vomiting, however. It’s best to rinse your mouth with water and to wait approximately 30 minutes. This is because the acid can weaken the enamel, making it easier to remove during brushing.

Your dentist can examine your teeth for any damage from morning sickness and suggest the appropriate treatment to keep both you and your baby healthy.

Cravings for Sweets

Your cravings may vary during pregnancy; however, some women find themselves craving more sweets. Craving different types of food is normal, but don’t let your craving for sweets disrupt your oral health. Sugar can attack your tooth enamel and heighten your risk for cavities and even gum disease.

You can protect your smile by rinsing with water after eating any kind of sugar and being sure to keep up with your brushing and flossing. Do your best to eat a balanced diet during your pregnancy, and if you’re craving sweets, see if some fresh fruit will do the trick. It’s full of fiber, nutrients, and water, perfect for your teeth and gums!

Pregnancy can be an exciting yet challenging time, especially when it comes to your oral health. When you go for a checkup with your dentist, be sure to inform them of your pregnancy. Talk about what you can do to keep your smile healthy. Remember, your dentist may recommend that you come in more often to monitor any oral cavity changes to help you remain as a healthy as possible!

The post What Are the Top Dental Considerations for Pregnant Women? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

You may have heard friends or family mention holistic dentistry. But what exactly is it?

Holistic dentistry is a field of dentistry in which dentists believe that your entire body is affected by your oral health. Although holistic dentistry doesn’t necessarily refer to the practices of that dentist, it does focus on their approach to dentistry.

So how can you know if holistic dentistry is right for you? Here are a few things to know about how these professionals work and if they could be a better fit for your care than a traditional dentist!

Holistic Dentists Don’t Use Toxic Materials

Typically, your holistic dentist will be against the use of silver amalgam fillings and will suggest you have yours removed. He or she will also use biocompatible materials rather than toxic ones to treat your cavity. Many holistic dentists also don’t support root canal procedures, as they believe the materials used to fill your tooth can be toxic and may harm your body.

Some holistic dentists may even recommend against the use of fluoride, whether in its ingested form or even in toothpaste form. Some holistic dentists will use natural therapies in addition to more conventional therapies in order to provide you with the best possible treatment.

Preventative Care Is Important to Them

Often, holistic dentists will focus on preventative care more than a traditional dentist will. This is because these professionals under just how much diseases like gum disease and oral cancer can be prevented. A true holistic dentist will encourage you not to smoke, to eat better foods, and to minimize your consumption of alcohol for a healthy smile.

Your holistic dentist will likely use digital x-rays, which use less radiation than traditional ones. He or she may also use herbs and vitamins to help heal you from your surgery rather than prescription painkillers. Their entire philosophy is about preventing damage to your mouth and body!

Not All Holistic Dentists Are Created Equal

Some dentists will describe themselves as holistic or biological dentists just because they refuse to use amalgam fillings, some of which are composed of more than 50% mercury. However, true holistic dentists will usually have more training and education to them rather than just refusing to use this type of material.

Holistic dentists have more experience in using natural materials as well as understanding more about how your oral cavity affects your body. Talk to your dentist about their experience before you decide to hire. For example, you can ask what their process is for removing amalgam fillings, how they help their patients heal from surgery, and what they’d recommend as a filling for a cavity.

Holistic dentists do more than treat your problems—they work to prevent problems and provide you with the best natural dental care possible. If you’re looking for a more natural approach to your dental care, holistic dentistry may be for you. Ask the right questions to ensure you get an experienced dentist who can provide you with the best care!

The post What Is Holistic Dentistry, and Is it Right for You? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Use the Proper Amount of Floss

The American Dental Association recommends using about 18 inches of floss (http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science%20and%20Research/Files/watch_materials_floss.ashx). This way you have a clean section of floss to go in between every tooth in your mouth. Many people use much shorter floss amounts and end up cleaning their teeth with dirty sections of floss. Although less is usually more, this is not true for floss—use the proper amount so that you’re cleaning the food and plaque out of your teeth, not introducing it back in!

Go under the Gum Line

When flossing, you want to be sure to go gently under the gum line, which is where many hidden food particles tend to hide. The key here is being gentle. If you haven’t flossed in quite some time, your gums may bleed a little. This generally isn’t cause for concern, although you should discuss it during your next dental check up. Gently go underneath the gum line on each side of each tooth. This will take some time to do and to get used to, but soon the habit will stick and your gums will be healthy!

Move Floss Up and Down, not Side to Side

This is a common mistake that many people make while flossing. After you gently wedge the floss in between your teeth, your goal is to move the floss up and down on each side of each tooth, not just rock the floss back and forth at the base of your teeth. This task isn’t difficult but can take some time to develop a habit out of, especially if you’ve been flossing side to side for a long time. Remember to go up and down instead!

Use the Kind That’s Best for You

There are many different types of floss out there and many different flossing tools. The type you use may vary depending on your smile. You can always ask your oral health care professional what type would be best for you to use. If your teeth have more space in between, consider a wider floss such as dental tape. If your teeth fit very tight together, traditional floss will work better.

Be Gentle

No matter where, when, or how you floss, remember to be gentle. The same goes for brushing, but when it comes to your gums, sensitivity is even more important. Gently floss, gently brush, and enjoy clean teeth and impress your dentist during your next checkup!

By incorporating these simple flossing tips into your oral care routine, flossing will be more beneficial to you than ever. Go up and down, under the gum line, and use clean floss every time. Floss at least once a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy!

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Keep Teeth Wipes in Stock

Keeping some teeth wipes in stock or with you for on-the-go cleaning can be a great alternative for when you run out of toothpaste. These small wipes are finger gloves that help to clean your teeth and get rid of plaque and food particles with their textured cloth-like feel. Although these are great alternatives to have around, they’re not meant to take the place of a proper brushing—so only use when you need to!

Use Baking Soda

Many conventional toothpastes incorporate baking soda into their formulas. There’s a reason for this! Baking soda is popular to use not just in toothpaste but for other cleaning tasks, too. It’s safe and effective for you to use when you’re missing toothpaste or even a toothbrush. When you run out of toothpaste, everyone usually has some baking soda on hand in the kitchen! Use your toothbrush, a cloth, or your finger and use that baking soda to “brush” your teeth!

Rinse with Mouthwash or Hydrogen Peroxide

If you have regular mouthwash on hand, this is great. Mouthwash can help fight bad bacteria, remove particles in between your teeth, and leave you with fresh breath! However, if you don’t regularly use mouthwash (you should!) or if you happen to be out of that too, you can use hydrogen peroxide to help clean your mouth until you get access to some toothpaste. Don’t use it full strength, and never swallow it. Simply mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and swish around in your mouth to help combat bad bacteria and remove food particles.

Chew Gum or Herbs

Sugar-free gum can help to stimulate your saliva production, therefore helping to balance the good and bad bacteria and even help remove food particles and leave you with a fresh mouth. This definitely isn’t a replacement for brushing and should be used only when necessary—however, it can help in those times when you find that you’re out of toothpaste!

If you happen to be camping or even if you have a garden at your home, you can make use of plants to help “clean” your mouth! Herbs like mint, rosemary, and even sage and thyme can help your mouth to feel fresher and get rid of any bad tastes. These won’t actually clean your teeth, so again, be sure to brush when you can!

Being out of toothpaste isn’t an excuse to skip your normal brushing routine. Enlist the help of some of these alternatives, many of which are easy to have on hand in times of need, such as peroxide and baking soda. Keep teeth wipes, sugar-free gum, or mouthwash on hand for when you don’t have any toothpaste!

The post Oops, You’re Out of Toothpaste! Now What? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Crowded Teeth

If you have overcrowded teeth, you could be putting yourself at risk for cavities. The way our teeth come in are largely influenced by genes as well, however, thanks to the prominence of orthodontic treatment, anyone can have a perfect smile. Crowded teeth are more than about aesthetics, though: those tight spaces in between your crowded teeth are perfect places for bacteria to reside. These spaces are often very difficult to get clean on a regular basis except for when visiting your dentist. Talk with your dentist to see if you could benefit from orthodontic treatment!

Soft Tooth Enamel

Tooth enamel is another composition of your mouth that’s largely influenced by genetics. The harder your enamel is, the more protected your teeth are. The softer it is, the more easily damaged your teeth are. Having soft tooth enamel isn’t something you can fix, which means you’ll need to take great care of your teeth in order to prevent cavities! Sodas and other sugary drinks are particularly damaging to your enamel, but so is hard brushing, not brushing, and other sweets.

Different Bacteria and Predisposed Taste

Did you know that some people are predisposed to like sweets? This again, is due to genetics. You may be more likely to crave sugar than others, and this could get your smile into trouble! If you are sweet on sugar, be sure to rinse your mouth with water after eating or brush gently. And as always, consume in moderation to prevent cavities!

Everyone may have the same oral bacteria, but not everyone has the same composition of these bacteria in their mouths. We usually receive the bacteria in our mouths from family members as infants, either through eating, kissing, or other contact with them. The ratio of different bacteria in our mouths could be responsible for some people getting more cavities than others. To ensure good bacteria presides your mouth, brush and floss your teeth daily, eat healthy, and stay hydrated.

Other Health Conditions

If you have a health condition such as acid reflux disease, alcoholism, or dry mouth, you could be predisposing yourself to cavities! Seek treatment for your health problems as they could be damaging your smile without your knowledge.

Remaining cavity-free is an important component of maintaining proper oral health. If you suspect you’re predisposed to cavities, talk with your dentist and do your best to keep your smile in great shape. Brush, floss, and get regular check-ups with your dentist!

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