In the past, dental crowns were part of a restoration that could take weeks to complete.
However, new technology is allowing patients to go home with their permanent restoration that same day.

Same day dental crowns eliminate the need for several dentist visits to restore your tooth and the need for a temporary crown. Are you a candidate for this procedure?

People Who Qualify for Dental Crowns Usually Qualify for CEREC

Same day dental crowns are possible through a technology called CEREC, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration Esthetic Ceramics.

CEREC has been in use for more than 30 years and the technology of same day crowns has evolved to provide restorations that rival the quality of traditional dental crowns [1].
People who qualify for regular dental crowns are usually candidates for same day dental
crowns. These include people who have broken teeth, teeth that have advanced tooth decay, and even chipped or worn-down teeth.

Cases Where Same Day Crowns Might Not Be the Right Choice

Although nearly everyone who qualifies for traditional dental crowns will qualify for same day dental crowns, CEREC might not be a good fit for everyone. Your dentist might not recommend same day crowns if you need several dental crowns placed.

Same day dental crowns might also not be a good fit if the tooth needing the crown is in the front of the mouth, as same day crowns won’t give your dentist a full range of options for creating the most natural result to match your other teeth in regards to color.

Regardless, your dentist will evaluate your smile and recommend the best option for you based on what you need!

Benefits of CEREC Technology

There are many benefits of CEREC technology that appeal to patients. Typically, when you need a dental crown, your dentist takes impressions and sends them to an outside lab where the restoration is made. Then, you’d return to your dentist to get the restoration fitted. This process could take two weeks and in the meantime, you’d need to be fitted with a temporary dental crown.

However, with same day dental crowns, your dentist is able to make your new custom dental crown in-office. Your dentist will take 3D images of your mouth and the machine will read your scans and make the crown right then and there.

Dental crowns help preserve teeth and their roots, minimizing the chances of future damage and eliminating the need for an extraction. With the right care, dental crowns make teeth stronger, approve appearance, and can last for more than 10 years [2].

Are You a Candidate?

If you need a dental crown, ask your dentist about same day dental crowns to restore your smile in just one visit. While same day crowns won’t be the right fit for every person, most patients can take advantage of CEREC technology to improve their smile!

Sources:
1. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)63733-8/abstract
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/crowns

The post Are You a Candidate for Same Day Dental Crowns? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Eating the right foods can help accelerate healing of your restoration and avoid unnecessary discomfort, or worse, damage to your newly-restored tooth. It’s understandable that you’d be worried about what you can eat after a root canal.

Being prepared with the following dietary guidelines can help your root canal heal as fast as
possible!

Avoid Hard, Sticky, or Chewy Foods

After getting your root canal done, you’ll want to avoid eating anything until the numbness
from your procedure fully wears off. When you do reach for food, try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth while your restoration is healing.

Make note to avoid foods that are hard, sticky, or chewy for at least the first few days. These don’t just include sweet foods like gum or candy. Even hard breads and some fresh foods such as raw apples and carrots should be avoided.

Ice and nuts are also off-limits while your tooth is healing. Research shows that food can
influence the possibility of an infection after root canal therapy, so eating the right foods
absolutely helps [1]!

Exercise Caution with Foods That Contribute to Tooth Sensitivity

Some people may experience some tooth sensitivity following root canal therapy.

If you have a history of tooth sensitivity, your dentist might have you avoid overly hot, cold, spicy, or sweet foods. These are all foods that have the potential to bother your new
restoration while it’s healing.

If you experience extreme sensitivity when eating after your root canal procedure, contact your dentist to follow up with your discomfort.

Great Soft Foods You Can Enjoy

Following your root canal procedure, it’s a good idea to stick with softer foods. Eating soft foods can give your mouth time to heal and avoid any potential damage to your tooth.

These foods could include:

 Protein in the form of fish, eggs, tofu, oats, or beans
 Fruits such as banana, mangoes, and peaches
 Snacks such as applesauce, yogurt, or smoothies

You can plan ahead of time to ensure you have plenty of foods available in your home or at
work to eat so you’re not tempted to eat off-limits foods while your smile is healing.

Remember to contact your dentist should you have any questions after your root canal or if
you’re not sure what you’re experiencing is normal. Severe pain, swelling, or bleeding after
your appointment may require additional medical attention [2].

When it comes to healing after a root canal procedure, what you can eat can make a big
difference. Simply by exercising caution after your procedure when eating, you can avoid pain,
sensitivity, and speed up the healing process!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4601489/
2. https://www.aae.org/patients/your-office-visit/post-treatment-care/

The post What Can You Eat After a Root Canal? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

For others, bruxism happens during times of stress while awake, and for others still, they may
grind their teeth while both awake and asleep.

Bruxism is hugely damaging to both your teeth and your gums, especially over a long period of
time. These are the potential long term impacts of bruxism.

Damaged Teeth

Dentists can tell whether or not you grind your teeth during your checkup. For patients who
have suffered from bruxism for years, the teeth will actually flatten and have an even, square
appearance. The teeth actually wear themselves down and so all the teeth become shorter. The
effect will become increasingly noticeable if bruxism goes treated.

Grinding your teeth can also damage dental restorations such as crowns or fillings, causing
them to prematurely fail and require replacement [1].

Bruxism can also cause chips and fractures due to the immense pressure placed on teeth. You
may notice your teeth have visible cracks in them or even that they’ve sustained chips that you
don’t remember happening.

TMJ Pain

The jaw is able to move thanks to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which attaches your
lower jaw to your skull.

Bruxism can place stress on the TMJ, leading to jaw dysfunction that can cause chronic pain.
Symptoms of a problem with your TMJ include unexplained headaches, muscle tension in your
face or neck, pain when chewing or speaking, or an inability to open your mouth all the way.

Since TMJ dysfunction can be caused by bruxism and also make bruxism more likely, working
with your professional dentist can help you understand the root cause of your TMJ pain.

Tooth Sensitivity

Bruxism wears down teeth prematurely, which means the shiny protective layer over your
teeth—we know it as tooth enamel—can get worn away over time.

Once your tooth enamel is gone, there’s no way to replace it. Instead, the softer tissue
underneath your enamel—called dentin—is exposed. Dentin is not only more yellow in color,
but it also allows harmful bacteria into your tooth to cause cavities.

When enamel is no longer there to protect your teeth, hot and cold temperatures can travel to
the root of your tooth, making eating ice cream or drinking hot tea uncomfortable at best and
painful at worst.

Gum Damage

Grinding your teeth also places stress on your gums and the connective tissue which help to
hold your teeth in place, therefore leading to periodontal damage [2].

When connective tissue that helps anchor teeth is damaged, it can lead to loose teeth. If you
grind your teeth, your gum tissue may become inflamed and look red or irritated, especially
over a long period of time.

If you wake up with headaches and an aching jaw, you could be grinding your teeth while
asleep and not realize it. A simple dental exam can reveal whether or not you’re prematurely
aging your teeth through bruxism. There is treatment for this damaging dental condition, so
don’t wait to seek help—your teeth could be at stake!

Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356095
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5026093/

The post What Is The Potential Long Term Impact of Bruxism? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, since the temporomandibular joint is so close to the trigeminal nerve—which is the
largest cranial nerve in the human body—problems with this joint can cause unusual symptoms
in rare cases. What are two unexpected symptoms of TMJ disorders?

Finger Tingling or Numbness

Since one of the jaw’s important jobs is helping to actually keep the neck upright, a jaw
misalignment can throw off the position of the neck. How is this associated with finger tingling
or numbness?

When the jaw isn’t aligned, the neck will tilt to compensate. This tilt can put pressure on the
nerves that are close to the neck vertebrae. Some of these nerves are responsible for giving
sensation to the fingers. Therefore, even mild pressure on these nerves can lead to finger
tingling and numbness.

It’s important to note that typically only one hand is affected and in most cases, the symptoms
are intermittent. If both sets of fingers are tingling and the numbness or tingling is constant, it’s
likely the TMJ is not at fault and you should seek additional medical advice.

Vision Problems

It’s surprising, but problems with your vision can be related to the TMJ. The trigeminal nerve
has three branches, one of which—the ophthalmic branch—carries nerve signals from the eyes
to the brain. Since the TMJ can cause tension in the muscles and surrounding tissues,
sometimes, this tension can affect the trigeminal nerve.

If the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve is affected, patients with TMJ disorder may
experience blurred vision, watery eyes, sensitivity to light, or may feel a pressure behind the
eyes. If these symptoms are being experienced without any other TMJ related symptoms, an
ophthalmologist should be consulted.

However, if these symptoms are being experienced in conjunction with TMJ symptoms such as
jaw muscle tension, clicking and popping of the jaw when opening or closing, or even
headaches, it might be time to schedule an appointment with your dentist to see if your jaw is
to blame!

What Should You Do?

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it might be wise to first schedule a consultation with
your doctor. If no immediate cause is found, follow up with your dentist, especially if you’re
having other symptoms related to TMJ disorders. Your dentist can examine your bite to
determine if an incorrect bite or undue pressure on your temporomandibular joint is causing
your finger numbness or visual disturbances!

The post Two Unexpected Symptoms of TMJ 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.

Removing plaque daily is an essential part of taking care of your oral health. Without the
removal of plaque, it begins to harden in a matter of hours. What foods and habits increase
plaque buildup in your mouth? You’ll want to avoid the following habits for a healthy smile!

Not Flossing

Brushing is an excellent way to remove plaque, but unfortunately, it can only reach so many
places in our mouths. The spaces between our teeth are often the most neglected—plaque
forms here just as it does on the rest of the surfaces of your teeth.

When you neglect to floss, plaque quickly builds up and can cause enamel erosion, bad breath,
and even tooth decay. You only need to floss once a day to experience the benefits, so get out
the floss and get rid of the plaque!

Eating Sugar Frequently

The bacteria in our mouths thrive on simple sugars, which results in more plaque than other
foods such as vegetables or proteins. If you frequently eat sugar throughout the day, you’re
increasing your risk of plaque buildup.

Eating simple sugars such as white bread, cakes, and candies in moderation is fine, as long as
consume them with water and wait 30 minutes to brush afterwards. Just remember—the more
sugar you eat, the more plaque you’ll need to remove later!

Not Drinking Water

Water is not only essential to our bodily health, it’s just as important for our smiles. Water acts
as a buffer between the harsh acids of foods such as sugars and our tooth enamel. When you
drink water, you help balance your oral bacteria, replenish your saliva, and boost hydration
throughout the body.

When you neglect to drink enough water—or skip water in favor of soda or juice—your oral
health suffers. Sipping on water throughout the day is an ideal way to stay hydrated and
protect your teeth and gums!

Forgetting to Brush Before Bed

Brushing your teeth twice a day doesn’t give plaque much of a chance to build up, provided
you’re doing a quality brushing job! However, skipping brushing leaves a solid window for
plaque to form, and if you’re missing that crucial brushing session before bed, plaque that’s
built up all day now has a chance to wreak havoc on your mouth.

Forgetting to brush before bed is a bad habit that should be avoided. If you have trouble
remembering to brush or are exhausted before bed, try brushing earlier in the evening before
you forget or become so tired you want to skip this important task!

Skipping Regular Checkups

Despite our best intentions when brushing and flossing, plaque is sneaky and can build up in
places we miss when brushing or aren’t able to reach. Visiting your dentist for regular cleanings
at least once a year can help you avoid the consequences of plaque buildup and experience a
healthier smile!

Have you been guilty of any of the above habits? It’s never too late to begin taking care of your
smile. When it comes to something as harmful as plaque, it’s important to remember that you
can help prevent plaque buildup and create a smile you can be proud of for life!

The post Which Foods and Habits Increase Plaque Buildup? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

If you find that you have bad breath almost all the time, even after brushing or using
mouthwash, something else is likely going on that needs to be addressed. What could chronic bad breath mean? Here’s what might be affecting your smile and why you should get it checked out.

You Could Have Gum Disease

Gum disease is often the culprit behind chronic bad breath. This is because the infection that’s present beneath your gumline can’t be removed with regular brushing and flossing. This will create either a bad taste in your mouth or a foul odor, or both. In addition to this symptom, you might also see blood when brushing or have tender gum tissue.

Since gum disease can lead to tooth loss over time, it’s crucial that you get this checked out by a dentist. Catching gum disease early can help you avoid intensive treatment and may just save your smile—and alleviate your chronic bad breath!

You May Be Dehydrated

If you’re not drinking enough fluid throughout the day, you could be dehydrated. Consider your daily fluid intake. If you’re drinking fluids that will ultimately dehydrate you, including coffee, alcohol, and caffeinated teas, you could be contributing to your chronic bad breath and not even realize it!

While it’s fine to have these beverages, you should be sure to drink plenty of water as well. For every drink with caffeine or alcohol in it, have a glass of water. This will help balance the dehydrating effect these drinks can have on your body and your mouth. Water can restore your bacteria balance and help stop bad breath.

You Could Have an Underlying Illness

There are certain illnesses where bad breath is a sign. These include liver or kidney disease, renal failure, diabetes, asthma, and even throat cancer. There’s no way to know what your bad breath is telling you without getting evaluated by a physician. Your first stop should be the dentist’s office to ensure you don’t have tooth decay or gum disease or exhibit any signs of oral cancer.

If none of these things are present, it’s time to see your doctor to see exactly what your bad breath is trying to tell you. If your bad breath remains without a cause, don’t ignore it. Getting this symptom checked out might just save your life!

When it comes to halitosis, you should absolutely see a professional to determine what’s causing the problem. If increasing your fluid intake doesn’t help, you should see a dentist to evaluate your smile and then a physician to ensure there’s nothing else going on. Don’t let chronic bad breath impact your life—you can determine the cause and stop this embarrassing problem once and for all!

The post Is Chronic Bad Breath Impacting Your Life? Read On 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.

Although people in the past have heard that they only need to wear their retainer for a year or two after treatment, many orthodontists today agree that you should wear your retainer most nights for the rest of your life. For people who didn’t wear their retainer after orthodontic treatment, the teeth can majorly shift during this period. The brackets and wires that held your straight smile in place are no longer there. Your teeth need guidance to sit in their permanent spots, which is why your retainer is so important. If you didn’t wear your retainer or rarely wore it, you might have to get braces again to repeat treatment.

Your Teeth Have Shifted

As we get older, our bite can change as our teeth shift. What once may have been a corrected overbite might now be a protruding one. Even if you wore your retainer for the year or two you were supposed to, your teeth can still shift. If your teeth have shifted into unnatural positions, you may need braces again in adulthood. When your bite is incorrect, this can cause problems with chewing, speaking, and could even cause symptoms of TMJ disorders.

You Didn’t Complete Treatment

If you need two-phase orthodontic treatment as a child but didn’t complete your treatment, you might need some additional work done. Two-phase orthodontic treatment is best for complex orthodontic issues that require two sets of braces at two different times. If your teeth looked fine after phase one treatment, you or your parents might have decided to skip that second set of braces. When you don’t complete treatment, you’re leaving room for future problems. These are issues that’ll likely need correction as you enter adulthood!

You Left Your Wisdom Teeth In

Wisdom teeth are that pesky set of third molars that come in between the ages of 17 and 21. By this time, some people have already completed their orthodontic treatment. This means their smile is straight when wisdom teeth make their appearance. Since our jaws have gotten smaller over time, wisdom teeth are often impacted. This means there’s not enough room for them to come in and they push against your other teeth. When this happens, teeth that were once straight can quickly become crooked.

If you neglect to remove your wisdom teeth, you could need a second set of braces to correct the damage the wisdom teeth have caused. Getting a second set of braces isn’t the end of the world! This treatment is well worth your time and money to have a straight smile again. Whether you neglected to wear your retainer, didn’t finish treatment, or just need to get your wisdom teeth removed, you can still get a beautiful smile the second time around!

The post I Had Braces as a Kid, Why Do I Need Them Again? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The appearance of dental fluorosis can vary from person to person. Some people may have white lines in their enamel that look subtly different from the rest of their teeth. Other may have white flecks or spots in their enamel. However, dental fluorosis could also be present as brown stains on the teeth. Your enamel may even be grooved and make these dark areas difficult to clean. The good news is that although dental fluorosis isn’t harmful, it can still be treated if you’re self-conscious of your white marks.

Causes of Dental Fluorosis

Dental fluorosis is caused by a lack of minerals in your tooth’s enamel. This usually comes from the excessive consumption of fluoride. Fluoride is naturally present in water, but some cities add additional fluoride to their drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. Although fluoride is generally considered a good thing by oral health care professionals, too much fluoride is just as bad as not enough. Between multiple sources of fluoride such as those from drinking water, toothpaste, and mouth rinses, children may be exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride that could lead to dental fluorosis.

How to Prevent It

The interesting thing about dental fluorosis is that it only happens during the formation of teeth in the jaw. This means the only time dental fluorosis can happen is during childhood after the primary teeth fall out and before the permanent teeth come in. In fact, it’s impossible for dental fluorosis to develop after the adult teeth have come in. Talk to your dentist about how much fluoride your kids actually need and what fluoride sources they’re exposed to. Your dentist can advise you if you should cut back on the fluoride. Ensure your kids don’t swallow their fluoride dental products. Some kids swallow because they taste good, but this can increase their fluoride intake and be dangerous!

Treatment Options

Fortunately, dental fluorosis isn’t a disease, just a cosmetic problem. Sometimes the uneven whitening is only noticeable by your dentist. For others, the white areas are more severe. For most people who have dental fluorosis, the whitening isn’t severe enough to warrant treatment as the appearance will be subtle.

Although fluorosis won’t cause other dental health problems, the stains will be permanent. Treatment can help mask the stains and improve the appearance of your smile. Your dentist might suggest professional teeth whitening to even out the white areas, crowns, or veneers to help alleviate the appearance of your dental fluorosis.

Having dental fluorosis can be a nuisance to your physical appearance, but there aren’t any lasting effects of this condition on your oral health. Talk to you dentist if you’re concerned about the look of your dental fluorosis, or if you want to know more about the appropriate amount of fluoride for your children’s teeth!

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