Procedures that fall under cosmetic dentistry range from porcelain veneers to teeth whitening to gum re-contouring, all to achieve your vision for your smile! Are you unhappy with your teeth and considering cosmetic dentistry? Here’s why it’s absolutely worth the investment!

Improve the Health of Your Smile

Cosmetic dentistry can not only improve the alignment of your teeth and your bite to support oral health, but is usually an excellent opportunity for patients to address underlying dental concerns.

Before most cosmetic dentistry procedures such as a professional teeth whitening or even veneers, your dentist will thoroughly evaluate your smile for any existing problems with your oral health [1].

This is because your teeth and gums will need to be at their healthiest for you to have your best outcome from the procedure. So not only will your investment into cosmetic dentistry benefit your oral health, but you’ll also be more motivated to take care of your smile afterward!

Gain More Confidence

Most people invest in cosmetic dentistry to fix issues with their smile that they’re embarrassed about. Whether your teeth are discolored, uneven, or chipped, your cosmetic dentist can help you gain more confidence in your smile.

People who are proud of their smile find themselves having the confidence to speak, laugh, and eat when in public and not be afraid that someone will see their teeth. Whether you’re investing in cosmetic dentistry for an upcoming event or just because it’s time to have the smile of your dreams, having beautiful teeth means you’ll smile more, which research has shown makes you happier [2].

You’ll also stress less about your interactions with people, from interviews and meetings to potential dates and family gatherings, you’ll never again worry that people are looking at your teeth for the wrong reasons.

Prevent Future Damage

Some people need to seek cosmetic procedures because of damage that’s already happened to their teeth. For example, someone who has grinded their teeth for years may have worn down their teeth and need crowns or veneers to restore their smile and prevent future damage.

If you have chipped or fractured teeth from years of wear and tear, dental bonding or veneers can actually strengthen your smile and reduce the likelihood that this type of damage would happen in the future.

In addition, correcting misaligned teeth can improve jaw pain and headaches from affecting your quality of life [3]. Crooked teeth can cause these symptoms because of how they affect the jaw, so by investing in cosmetic dentistry, you invest in a healthier you!

Is It Time to Consider Cosmetic Dentistry?

If you’ve been putting off treating your smile, there’s no better time than now to schedule a consultation with your professional dentist. He or she can help you review your options so you can have your best smile for life!

Sources:
1. https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/About%20the%20ADA/Files/ada_house_of_delegat
es_whitening_report.ashx
2. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-02/msu-sfa022211.php
3. https://www.dentalhealth.org/jaw-problems-and-headaches

The post Why Cosmetic Dentistry Is Worth the Investment appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Fortunately, there are many brilliant dentists out there who offer services for the entire family
to receive their dental care in just one location. Here’s how you can begin the process of
choosing the right dentist for you and your family.

Ask About Insurance and Payment Plans

An important first step is determining if practice accepts your dental insurance. If they do
accept your insurance, this is great. If not, you’ll need to evaluate whether or not you want to
pursue this dentist or find one who does accept your insurance.

In the event that you don’t have dental insurance, ask your potential family dentist if they’ll
accept payment plans or whether or not they accept a dental discount plan or credit from a
third party such as CareCredit. Having flexibility in the event that your insurance carrier changes
is helpful even if they initially accept your insurance.

Consider Their Location and Hours

Before you consider the dentist and the practice, you’ll want to consider location and hours
first. This is because both the location and their hours of operation will tell you how likely you
are to be able to make appointments.

For example, do they offer weekend hours and time after traditional business hours to
accommodate your busy schedule? Are they located nearby, and not in an area where traffic
would be an issue?

When you take into account the practice’s convenience based on your schedule, you’re better
able to evaluate the likelihood that you’ll be able to keep appointments.

Talk to the Dentist and the Staff

Once you’re able to verify that a location and hours of operation will work for you as well as
whether or not they take your insurance, it’s time to actually visit the practice. You can even
bring along the kids to see how comfortable everyone is there when talking to the dentists as
well as the staff members.

You want to choose a dentist that you feel comfortable talking to, asking questions, and calling
when you need advice. Your family should feel good about communicating with them too, so
don’t hesitate to make an appointment to simply visit and see what everyone thinks!

Don’t Forget Emergencies

Emergencies are unfortunately a part of life. Ask the dentist about their emergency policy—will
they come in after hours to treat you or your child, will they have the flexibility to get you in for
an emergency, or if they can’t, do they provide a referral to another dentist or just advise you
to go to the emergency room?

You may also consider their memberships to professional organizations, what type of
continuing education they do and how often, and their experience with up-and-coming dental
tools such as laser dentistry. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during your visit!

When it comes to finding the right dentist, don’t underestimate the importance of having a
great fit for the entire family, even if you need to visit a few dentists before you find the one
that feels right. You can have the best dental care and convenience with your dentist of choice!

The post How to Choose the Right Dentist for You and Your Family appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Although dentists cannot provide an official diagnosis for sleep apnea, these professionals are
often the first people to come into contact with the disorder and can provide further guidance
and even initiate treatment.

Here’s how your dentist can help with your sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms

Since patients usually see their dentist more often than their primary care doctor, your dentist
is often able to recognize the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea before your doctor is able to
make the diagnosis.

These signs and symptoms include enamel erosion as a result of dry mouth from snoring, teeth
grinding (bruxism), and inflamed gum tissue.

Your dentist may ask you questions such as whether or not you wake up with a headache, if you
snore, if you have other health conditions linked with sleep apnea—such as high blood
pressure—or if you feel fatigued throughout the day.

Getting a Diagnosis

If your dentist suspects you may be suffering from sleep apnea, he or she can refer you to a
sleep specialist for an official diagnosis.

Although dentists are trained to recognize and treat sleep apnea, a confirmed diagnosis from a
sleep specialist is required before treatment can be done. This is to ensure you’re getting the
correct diagnosis and treatment plan that you need to get better.

Your sleep specialist will likely recommend you have an overnight sleep study done to
determine if you have sleep apnea. Once a diagnosis is made, you can talk about your options
and come up with the right course of treatment for you.

Receiving Treatment

Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines have long been the traditional
form of treatment for sleep apnea, many patients are unable to comply with this form of
treatment due to discomfort or inconvenience.

This is where your dentist comes in. Your dentist can help treat your sleep apnea through oral
sleep appliances, which aren’t much different from a retainer but will slightly shift your jaw
forward in order to keep your airway open while sleeping, therefore eliminating your cessation
of breathing during sleep and reducing your sleep apnea symptoms.

People who receive oral sleep appliance therapy from their dentist are often more able to
comply with their treatment and see their sleep apnea symptoms disappear once they begin
getting a good night’s sleep again.

Since sleep apnea can affect your entire life, from your daily performance to your risk for
chronic diseases, getting an official diagnosis is essential to receiving the right treatment that
can help restore your quality of life. Your dentist is an integral part of this process, so visit your
dentist today if you suspect you suffer from sleep apnea!

The post How Does a Dentist Diagnose Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Tooth enamel can be weakened through a variety of means, such as aggressive brushing, acidic foods
such as sugar, and genetics. Enamel can’t grow back or be replaced, so it’s imperative to protect your
tooth enamel while you can.

So how can you strengthen tooth enamel?

Cut Back on Sugar

Sugar is the enemy of your tooth enamel. It works quickly with the bacteria in your mouth to eat away
at tooth enamel. Sugar is present in sweets such as cakes and candy to simple carbohydrates such as
white break or crackers. Minimizing your sugar intake can be helpful to strengthening your tooth
enamel.

If you want to enjoy sweets from time to time, be sure to drink water with your food and rinse your
mouth out afterwards. Water can act as a buffer between your tooth enamel and the harmful acidic
sugar, so it can help curb damage.

Get Enough Nutrients

Having a nutritious diet is the pinnacle of having strong tooth enamel. Be sure to get an adequate
amount of calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can help keep your
tooth enamel healthy.

Fluoride, whether consumed in drinking water or in dental care products, can help strengthen your
teeth and protect against the cavities that often come with enamel damage. You can talk with your
dentist about your sources of fluoride and whether or not they’re appropriate for your smile.

Brush Properly

Although brushing your teeth is important to prevent oral health problems, brushing the right way is
essential. Here are some crucial tips to follow to protect your tooth enamel while brushing:

 Never brush aggressively. Hard brushing isn’t needed to get the plaque off. Be gentle!

 Wait 30 minutes to brush. If you’ve just eaten, wait at least a half hour before brushing your
teeth to prevent enamel damage.

 Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Again, those firm bristles just aren’t needed to get your smile
clean.

In addition to all these things, you should brush twice a day and don’t forget to floss! Dental checkups
can also help you to have strong enamel.

Get Treatment

If you have any oral health problems, it’s essential to get treatment to protect your enamel. For
example, grinding your teeth is extremely damaging to your enamel. Your dentist can help treat this
problem to protect your smile. Gum disease, cavities, and other oral health issues can all impact the
health of your enamel. Whatever it is, getting treatment may be able to help protect your enamel from
further damage.

How healthy is your enamel? Your dentist can take a look at your smile and tell just how healthy your
tooth enamel is and if you need to take protective measures to keep it healthy. Everyone can
incorporate the above tips to strengthen enamel and have a stunning smile for life!

The post What Can I Do to Strengthen My Tooth Enamel? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

With a successful procedure and the right care, dental implants last for life! Although your
dental crown will need to be replaced every 10-15 years, the titanium post will fuse with your
jawbone and should never need to be replaced. If you properly care for your smile, it’s possible
that your dental crown may last even longer. This gives you the strongest, most effective
replacement for your missing tooth that’s also the most natural-looking!

Why Should I Choose Dental Implants?

Dental implants have become popular replacements for missing teeth for a variety of reasons.
Dental implants look just like your natural teeth, so there’s no need to fear that anyone will
notice your tooth replacement. Dental implants are permanent tooth replacements, which
means they never come out of your mouth. They also function just like your natural teeth, so
you can eat all the things you did before.

What Can I Expect During the Procedure?

The procedure for your dental implants will happen with an experienced oral surgeon.
Generally, only local anesthesia is needed for the procedure. After a consultation in which your
dentist ensures that you’re a candidate for dental implants, 3D x-ray technology helps your
surgeon see exactly where the dental implant needs to go for maximum success. There won’t
be any pain and although you may experience some discomfort while your dental implant is
healing, most people report little to no pain and a quick recovery. It all depends on how healthy
your smile is!

Who Qualifies for Dental Implants?

Anyone with a healthy mouth and adequate bone in their jaw can be a candidate for dental
implants. If you’re a smoker or drink alcohol heavily, your mouth may not support healing of
dental implants. Your dentist will help determine if you qualify. Even if you don’t have enough
jaw bone to support a normal dental implant, you may qualify for mini dental implants or bone
grafting to help support your new implant.

What Is the Success Rate of Dental Implants?

Fortunately, dental implants have a high success rate—up to 98%! Although rejection or
infection of dental implants can happen, these instances are rare. The vast majority of people
have no problems with their dental implants and enjoy a secure, functional smile for life.

Have you considered dental implants for your missing tooth or teeth? Schedule a consultation
with your dentist to talk about your candidacy for dental implants. These natural tooth
replacements are functional, beautiful, and sturdy. The best part is that they last for life. Ask
about dental implants today to transform your smile!

The post How Long Do Dental Implants Last? Cosmetic Dentists Answer Your Questions appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

They Were Essential to Our Ancestors

Wisdom teeth likely became part of the human jaw on account of our distant ancestors. These people ate a diet that consisted of lots of raw, crunchy foods such as roots, plants, and nuts. Even meat could be difficult to consume for people who lacked the proper utensils! These third molars were present in people who had larger jaws than we did. Over thousands of years, our jaws and our faces have actually gotten smaller. We no longer have the need for huge jaws with lots of teeth. Although our ancestors likely found wisdom teeth to be a great help when chewing their food and preventing their teeth from wearing down too much, today, wisdom teeth are really no longer needed.

Evolution Has Rendered Them Unnecessary

On account of our smaller jaws, there’s no longer room for an additional four large molars in our jaws. Although wisdom teeth come in at a time when the jaw is fully developed, there still just isn’t much use for them today. Our foods have also gotten easier to eat. No longer do we need to crunch on raw roots and plants when we have the ability to cook meals and cut up our meat for easy consumption. Today, wisdom teeth do more harm than good to the majority of people. Wisdom teeth often become impacted in modern humans. Impacted wisdom teeth do not have enough room to erupt through the jaw and end up crowding the other teeth or causing pain. In fact, impacted wisdom teeth have been happening to humans for centuries. The oldest case dates back to the skeleton of a woman found in France who lived 15,000 years ago! Her remains showed severely impacted third molars.

Wisdom Teeth Today

35% of people never even develop wisdom teeth. The possible cause of this is because evolution may be phasing them out again, as modern humans no longer need wisdom teeth. Some people may develop less than four wisdom teeth. It’s rare to have more than four, however. Wisdom teeth cause of host of problems to people today. They can cause infection if they don’t erupt through the gumline all the way. They are difficult to brush, can cause jaw pain, crowded teeth, and ruin orthodontic work.

It’s no wonder that many people find removing their wisdom teeth is a simple solution to experiencing pain, discomfort, or crooked teeth from impaction. Although wisdom teeth were certainly helpful at one point, wisdom teeth are commonly removed today. Our ancestors used their third molars to help them consume foods that were essential to their health. Now, we have smaller jaws and less room for wisdom teeth than our descendants did!

The post Why We Have Wisdom Teeth: Explained! appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

After your procedure to place the implant, it’s imperative that you follow your surgeon’s instructions. These care tips usually include avoiding hot or cold drinks in addition to not touching or disturbing the area in any way—this includes brushing. Avoid brushing the site for a few days, but keep the area clean and free of food particles.

The swelling should go away after a few days. Your surgeon may suggest you use ice as needed at first, then mild heat after 24 hours. If you notice any increase in pain and swelling after a few days, you should contact your oral surgeon’s office to evaluate the problem.

Continue to Brush and Floss as Normal

You’ll want to ensure you still brush and floss your teeth after your implant has healed. Always use a toothbrush with soft bristles and floss once a day. Some dentists suggest avoiding any type of abrasive toothpaste during brushing, as this can limit the lifespan of your crown.

An electric or manual toothbrush is fine, as long as you choose soft bristles. To protect the area around your implant, using unwaxed tape floss is recommended. Many people with dental implants find success with water flossers as well. As soon as your site has healed, you can begin to brush gently around the implant until your dentist places the crown. Once your crown is in place, continue to brush and floss gently around the site. Once it’s fully healed, flossing may require a bit more work to get underneath your crown, but flossing in that area can help keep your implant free of plaque and bacteria.

Stay on Top of Care for the Best Results

Continue to visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings as recommended. Any buildup of plaque around your gumline could still cause an infection whether or not you have dental implants. Staying on top of your oral care will provide the best results for your beautiful new tooth!

Should you be experiencing any type of problem with your new dental implant, getting in to see your dentist sooner rather than later is always the best idea. Talk to your dentist about how often you should come in for checkups after the placement of your implant.

Dental implants are an excellent replacement when you’ve lost a natural tooth. To take care of your dental implants, get a good start by following your surgeon’s instructions. Continue to brush and floss around the site as normal after healing. Stay on top of care to see the best results and extend the life of your dental crown. Dental implants last for life, so take care of them!

The post How to Best Care for Your New Dental Implants appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Headaches

Headaches are a common symptom of TMJ and could range from mild to migraine-like. Headaches can happen because of the way your jaw works when chewing—there may be pressure on places where there shouldn’t be pressure, and often the neck and jaw muscles tend to be sore and carry tension, which can result in headaches as well. If you’re a common sufferer of headaches, you may want to check with your dentist to see if TMJ could be the cause.

Noise

Many people with TMJ experience odd sounds when they chew or open and close their mouths, as this is the most common symptom of the disorder. These noises could range from a clicking or ticking noise to a popping sound to even a grinding noise. These sounds are often annoying to people who experience them and they may be persistent or worsen over time. These clicking and popping noises may be painful when they happen or may be loud enough for others to hear. This noise can happen as the result of the joint being displaced and is usually uncomfortable regardless of whether or not any pain is experienced.

Pain

For some people, TMJ is merely uncomfortable. For others, however, it can be very painful. Your jaw muscles are very powerful, and when your joints in your jaw aren’t working correctly, this can create immense pressure and tension which could lead to painful headaches, sore muscles, and even pain when chewing or speaking. Some people may only experience pain when opening their mouths wide, such as when yawning, others may experience pain anytime they open their mouth, which can be very uncomfortable.

Ear or Facial Discomfort

People with TMJ will often experience an odd feeling their ears and have facial pain from the tense muscles and locking jaw. You may also experience pain in your ear or around the ear, or even a popping sound in your ear. Facial discomfort from TMJ could range from having sore neck or jaw muscles to having sensitive temples and more. Everyone is different and so not everyone will necessarily experience the same TMJ symptoms.

If you suspect you have TMJ or are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your dentist. Although traditional doctors are appropriate as well, your dentist is trained specially in oral health care and can often diagnose TMJ before your primary care doctor would consider it as the cause. There is treatment for TMJ, so seek help for your symptoms!

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Be Aware of These Top Signs for TMJ Disorder appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Gag Reflex Control

Have you ever felt like you were about to vomit while your dentist is working in your mouth? Some people simply have a stronger gag reflex than others. You may even gag when brushing your back teeth or your tongue. When you need major dental work, sedation can keep your gag reflex under control.

Keeping the Patient Comfortable

Whether the chair hurts your back and neck, or your jaw hurts from keeping it open for very long, sedation dentistry can solve the problem. You don’t necessarily have to be completely out. Nitrous oxide, for example, may simply make it easier to deal with the pain.

Getting Work Done in Fewer Appointments

One of the most frustrating things about the dentist can be having to come back for numerous appointments. This is especially true if your dentist is busy, and the appointments have to be weeks apart. Sedation dentistry may allow you to have more work done at the same time. Experiencing less discomfort allows sessions to continue longer. The result is that you can schedule fewer appointments to get all your dental work done.

Local Anesthetic Issues

Sometimes it can be tough to numb the area where dental work needs to be done. Also, people respond differently to the anesthetic. They may also not want to have a needle delivery system. All of these issues contribute to a situation where some pain is still felt. Sedation dentistry is the solution. Patients may not even have any memory of their time in the chair depending on the type of sedation used.

The Cost-Effective Solution

Not only can sedation save you time by reducing the number of appointments, but it also saves you money. You both end up paying for fewer visits, and you also take less time off from work, since dental offices are usually open during the business day.

As you can see, sedation dentistry is not just for those who are anxious about going to the dentist; it is a vital component to modern dentistry. Make an appointment with your dentist today.

The post Sedation Dentistry: It’s Not Just For Anxiety appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.