Although your dentist is the best person to evaluate your smile for treatment, let’s talk about
whether your cavity will need just a filling or if a root canal would be your best form of care.

When a Filling Is All That’s Needed

If your tooth isn’t discolored and you’re only experiencing minor pain or sensitivity, your dentist
may be able to repair the tooth with a simple filling.

When tooth decay happens, bacteria eat through the first layer of your teeth, the enamel. The
decay may progress to the second, softer layer, the dentin, and results in a cavity. If your cavity
has not progressed to the third layer of the tooth—the nerve tissue—a filling should suffice.

Getting a filling is a relatively simple procedure and you and your dentist can talk about what
filling material would suit you best. Although your filling will need to be replaced at some point
in your life, it shouldn’t get worse with the proper home care and dentist visits!

When Root Canal Therapy Could Help

Some people may have cavities that are beyond repair or be experiencing other symptoms that
will result in the need for a root canal. For instance, if your cavity is large enough or deep
enough that it would be impossible for a filling to repair your tooth, root canal therapy may be
the most appropriate form of treatment.

If your tooth is discolored in any way, such as having a brown or yellow hue that’s noticeably
different from the other teeth, the nerve tissue inside your tooth may be dead. In this case, a
root canal is the best treatment. If you’re experiencing severe tooth sensitivity or pain, you may
need a root canal.

Fortunately, a root canal isn’t much different from getting a filling these days. Technology has
made it possible for your root canal to be performed with no pain and you’ll be able to save
your natural tooth!

Which Do You Need?

If your cavity is a relatively normal size and not accompanied by discoloration, pain, or
sensitivity, you may just need a filling. However, if your cavity is large, has cracked your tooth,
or is causing you pain and sensitivity, your dentist may recommend root canal therapy to save
your tooth.

Whether you need a filling or a root canal, you’ll still be able to save your natural tooth, which
is the most important thing. When you can keep your natural tooth, you’re saving a part of your
smile that would otherwise need to be replaced with a cosmetic dentistry option!

If you’re seeing evidence of a cavity, don’t delay in making an appointment with your dentist.
Prompt treatment can prevent your cavity from turning into a problem that needs root canal
therapy to fix!

The post Is a Filling Okay, or Will I Need a Root Canal? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Having your child pick out a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically for him or her will help to motivate proper brushing skills! These days, toothbrushes come in a variety of fun colors, and some even incorporate popular cartoon characters to get your child excited about brushing. Let them know that this is their toothbrush and it’s a very important tool that will help take care of their very important teeth!

Ready, Set… Games!

Nothing makes brushing more fun than turning it into game time! There are many games you can incorporate into your child’s brushing routine, including:

Taking turns. Let your child brush your teeth, then you brush theirs. You can alternate and have a timer to regulate the brushing!

Songs. Singing a song that’s the designated time for brushing teeth is perfect! Check out such songs like “This Is the Way We Brush Our Teeth”, “Are Your Teeth Clean and White?”, and “Brush Brush Brush Your Teeth”.

Buy a timer. Having a timer turns your child’s brushing time into a game. By completing their task in the recommended two minutes, they can win a prize!

Ever Heard of the Tooth Fairy?

The Tooth Fairy can help motivate your child to take great care of their teeth! Kids start losing their baby teeth around age six, so this is a great time to introduce the tooth fairy and he or she can offer brushing advice and motivate your child to keep their teeth clean every time he or she collects a tooth.

Enlist Technology

With apps that offer games, points, songs, and even brushing feedback, you can enlist the help of technology to make your child’s brushing time a positive experience twice a day. You can even get such toothbrushes as Kolibree which transmit information from your child’s brushing to an app or toothbrushes that play music for the recommended two minutes for you! Check out such apps as Chomper Chums and Momo, and encourage your child to keep those little teeth sparkling!

Offer Incentives

If it’s particularly difficult to get your child to take tooth brushing seriously, you may want to consider offering incentives. They don’t have to be large prizes, but you could offer a sticker, a book selection, or even a healthy treat when kids brush their teeth. Even a fun new toothbrush or toothpaste could be a prize!

Your child’s baby teeth will fall out, but the adult teeth that replace them need to last your kids for life. Taking proper care of their teeth is something you can help your toddler with and encourage your older kids with as they grow up. Use these simple tips to make brushing time fun!

The post Make Brushing Fun with These Simple Steps appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

First, it’s important to know the factors that influence sensitive teeth. When your enamel wears away, it exposes dentin, a tissue beneath the enamel that protects the roots. It’s not as hard as enamel, but not as soft and exposed as your roots. However, the exposure of dentin can lead to tooth sensitivity. The more worn away your enamel is, the more extreme your tooth pain will be.

The enamel on your teeth can wear away due to brushing too hard (which is actually very damaging to your teeth) or eating too many foods that are acidic or drinking sugary and corrosive drinks (such as alcohol and soda). It could also be influenced by other factors, such as using at-home teeth bleaching kits too often, which strips the enamel away, or tooth decay.

What Your Dentist Can Do

Pain is among one of the many ways that your body communicates. Your extremely sensitive teeth are telling you that something is amiss with your pearly whites. Your dentist can thoroughly examine your teeth and identify any problems. Sometimes, if tooth decay or gum disease has progressed, it can cause your gums to recede or your enamel to wear away due to decay, therefore exposing your dentin and possibly even your tooth’s root. Your dentist can treat the problem, which will be unique to your particular diagnosis. You could need a root canal, a missing filling replaced, or need x-rays to further determine the problem.

What You Can Do

Prevention is the best treatment for extreme tooth sensitivity, so it’s important to remember that once you’ve lost your enamel, it cannot be replaced. Limit sugary drinks like sodas juices and corrosive drinks like alcohol, especially if you already have sensitive teeth, as these can make the pain worse. Don’t brush too hard, and remember, it’s always safest to get teeth whitening done professionally by your dentist.

If you already have extremely sensitive teeth, there are a few things you can do at home to help. You may consider trying toothpaste that’s marketed for sensitive teeth. This toothpaste contains agents like potassium nitrate that are safe for your teeth sensitivity and can help relieve pain. It’s also good to avoid teeth grinding, as this can cause—and worsen—sensitivity. Talk with your dentist if you think you’re a grinder!

Extreme tooth sensitivity can be a burden. Hot and cold foods are forbidden, and oftentimes even things like cold air can make your teeth hurt. There is relief from your pain! Begin by visiting your dentist to uncover the problem, and then follow through with your care at home. Extreme tooth sensitivity doesn’t have to be for life!

The post Finding Relief from Extreme Tooth Sensitivity appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Who Should Get Lumineers or Veneers?

These products are both used for the same purpose: correcting imperfections in a person’s teeth. If teeth are damaged, crooked, short, or in another way do not match the teeth around them, veneers and lumineers are ways to make a smile symmetrical and more visually appealing. So which one is right for you?

Benfits of Veneers

Some refer to veneers as porcelain veneers, but this is merely one type and composite veneers are also available.

Veneer Pros:

– Aesthetic Appeal – This is a great way to even out your smile and create a more aesthetic appearance.

– Natural Coloration – Veneers can be color matched to the rest of your teeth providing a natural appearance without the need to cover every single tooth.

– Strength – Composite veneers are extremely strong and can last for 20 years if cared for well.

– Stain Resistant – Porcelain veneers will actually resist stains better than your natural tooth

enamel, so you can drink your coffee, tea, and wine without regrets.

Who Should Get Veneers?

– If you grind your teeth composite veneers are the right choice for you.

– Veneers are the right option for those seeking a permanent cosmetic solution.

– If a tooth is misshapen or discolored and you want all of your teeth to match.

Benefits of Lumineers

Lumineers are another way to instantly improve your smile. Consider the following benefits.

Lumineer Pros:

– Reversible Procedure – If you ever decide that you no longer want lumineers, you can go back to your regular teeth. This is the primary advantage of lumineers over veneers.

– A Perfect Fit – There is no need for any drilling or numbing. Lumineers are painless.

Who Should Get Lumineers?

– Those who do not want their cosmetic dentistry to be irreversible.

– Individuals with slightly extra space between their teeth since lumineers add a very thin layer to the teeth.

Veneers and Lumineers are two great ways to spruce up a smile. Your dentist can help you determine which is better suited to your needs.

The post Dental Veneers vs. Lumineers: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The Effects of Diabetes on Oral Health

When your blood sugar is high on a regular basis, it can have several different effects on the mouth. First of all, diabetes can lead to a dry mouth. When the mouth is dry, bacteria can spread faster. This leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Diabetes can also result in fungal infections in the mouth. These infections feed on sugar.

Early Warning Signs

The following symptoms can tip you off that high blood sugar is starting to take its toll on your oral health:

Inflammation – Before periodontal disease sets in, it is usually preceded by inflamed gums. This inflammation is caused by a buildup of bacteria, plaque, and tartar along the gumline.

Dry Mouth – Your saliva keeps your teeth healthy by washing away bacteria. Unfortunately, high blood sugar dries out the mouth leading to decay.

Thrush – Thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth. Sugar feeds it. When a person’s blood sugar is high, saliva sugar levels are increased as well. It is a sure sign of diabetes that is out of control.

How Dental Health Affects Blood Sugar

Unfortunately, the system can quickly become self-perpetuating. High blood sugar causes infection in the mouth. That infection, in turn, makes it difficult to control blood sugar. Is there anything you can do?

Controlling Your Health from Two Sides

You need to address this issue from both fronts. First, it is important to check your blood sugar regularly, stick to a low or no-sugar diet, and take your diabetes medication according to schedule. Keeping your blood sugar under control will keep your oral health under control.

On the dental side of things, you need to be sure to care well for your teeth and gums. Brush and floss on a regular schedule using the proper techniques. You may need to see your hygienist for a cleaning more often than the recommended six-month intervals to ensure that tartar does not build up. Your dentist can also address infections. Curing these will help you to keep your sugar levels under control.

If you suffer from diabetes, do not resign yourself to lost teeth and oral infections. You can win the battle, and your dentist will help.

The post Are Diabetics More Susceptible to Oral Health Problems? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.