It’s More Comfortable

Laser dentistry is often more comfortable for patients who are used to receiving conventional dental treatment that involves stitches, needles, and cuts. There’s usually no need for anesthesia, so you won’t need any needles or have any numbing feelings after your procedure. There’s also no drilling or heat. The drill is often what causes pain in patients, as the pressure can damage the nearby areas and cause future problems for your smile.

With laser dentistry, there’s no cutting, less pain, and less need for future dental work. Since high-powered drills can actually cause fractures in your teeth, laser dentistry is ideal for patients who want a safer, more comfortable alternative without the need for more dental work.

Faster Healing Time

Laser dentistry eliminates the need for stitches since there’s no cutting. This means you’ll experience less discomfort and a faster healing time. When you get a dental procedure done with a laser, you’ll also typically experience less bleeding and less pain. There’s also minimal swelling, which increases the chances that your body will heal the affected area faster.

People are accustomed to taking great care of their mouths after a dental procedure. With laser dentistry, your healing time is minimal because there’s no need for cutting or stitches. Swelling and bleeding are kept to a minimum. Laser dentistry also allows for everything to be done in one dental visit, which saves you time and hassle from having to return to the dentist for a multi-step procedure!

It’s Versatile

Did you know that laser dentistry can be used for everything from cavity removal to teeth whitening? In fact, laser dentistry can even be used to treat gum disease and perform root canal therapy. One of the best benefits about using a laser is its preciseness. It does not affect surrounding tissues in the same way a drill would. Since the laser is extremely accurate, your dentist can avoid harming any additional tissue than is necessary.

From removing decay to treating infection and even gum shaping, laser dentistry is tremendously versatile and brings its wide range of benefits to a variety of dental procedures. If you’ve been putting off dental work because of dental anxiety, consider laser dentistry for your next procedure. It’s imperative to find a dentist who’s trained in experienced in using laser dentistry for his or her patients. Ask your dentist about laser dentistry next time you visit—using a laser could change the way you think about going to the dentist!

The post The Many Benefits of Laser Dentistry appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

People who make excellent candidates for dental bridges often have one or more teeth missing consecutively from one area in their mouth. You could have one missing tooth, or even up to three in a row missing—either way, you could make a great dental bridge candidate. This is because dental bridges effectively “bridge” the gap between teeth, even if you’re missing more than one tooth. However, dental bridges usually aren’t an option when you’re missing more than three consecutive teeth in one area. When you’re missing a few teeth, talk with your dentist about whether or not a dental bridge could restore your smile!

You Have Healthy Teeth

Dental bridges need healthy teeth on either side of the missing spaces in your mouth in order to be successful. This is because these teeth will essentially support the dental bridge and securely anchor it for years to come—dental bridges typically last around six years, but can last even longer if you take great care of your smile! Having dental bridges requires that you take excellent care of your teeth.

If you have tooth decay or gum disease surrounding the teeth or tissues near your missing teeth, you won’t be able to qualify for dental implants until these conditions have been treated. If your teeth aren’t in great shape but you have enough jaw bone, you may qualify for implant-supported bridges, which take advantage of dental implants in order to properly support the bridge!

You Don’t Like the Idea of Dentures

Dental bridges are essentially “fixed” dentures, meaning they are permanently adhered to your teeth and not meant to come out. However, partial dentures are also an option for patients that are missing one or more teeth. Partial dentures are typically removable, require some extra cleaning, and tend to not be as secure as dental implants or dental bridges.

If you dislike the idea of having a partial denture, consider dental bridges. If you’re a candidate for a partial denture, you may also qualify for a dental bridge, which provides more security than partial dentures but without the need for oral surgery like dental implants!

A dental bridge could be the solution to your missing teeth! Dental bridges effectively close gaps, match your natural teeth, and prevent the uncomfortable and unsightly shifting that can come with missing teeth. Talk to your dentist about whether or not a dental bridge would be right for you—they can conduct a thorough evaluation and talk through all your options with you!

The post Is a Dental Bridge Right for You? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

You May Be Brushing too Hard

Let’s set the record straight— harder brushing does not equal better brushing. In fact, harder brushing can do much more damage than good. Hard brushing over time can actually wear down the enamel (the protective hard white part) of your tooth over time, therefore leading your tooth to be largely unprotected in the face of cold iced tea or hot spicy curry. After the enamel gets worn down, it exposes dentin, a soft substance that helps sustain the tooth. The dentin is linked directly to the nerve of your
tooth, and here is where your sensitivity happens. Hard brushing is also bad news for your gums—it can cause gum recession, further exposing the dentin. Proper brushing involves gentler brush strokes.

You May be Grinding Your Teeth

People who grind their teeth are generally not aware of the fact that they are doing it. It can happen in our sleep, when we’re blissfully unaware of the grinding taking place. The ligaments that connect the tooth to your jaw can get inflamed when you grind, as you are putting an excessive amount of force on your jaw. Your nerve then gets aggravated and makes your mouth more affected by extreme temperatures. Clenching and grinding your teeth is not healthy, and you may not even be aware that you’re doing it. Seeing your dentist can help to determine if you’re a grinder and if so, what you can do about it. Your tooth sensitivity may be a result of a clenched or grinding action that can be bad news for your whole mouth!

You May Have Tooth Decay or Gum Disease

Tooth sensitivity can affect one tooth or several—regardless of how extreme your tooth sensitivity is, it could be pointing at a larger issue. Tooth sensitivity may be the result of tooth decay or gum disease. If these problems go untreated while you’re buying sensitive toothpastes and overlooking the issue, your problem could get a lot worse without you even knowing it. The longer you wait to address your sensitivity, the more costly the solution could be. Visit your dentist to find out if you may be experiencing symptoms of gum disease or tooth decay.

Don’t just accept your sensitivity as part of your mouth health—a healthy mouth should not be painful. Instead of buying products that only mask the issue, visit your dentist to make sure your mouth is healthy. Your tooth sensitivity may be trying to tell you that you’re brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, or have a more serious issue such as tooth decay or gum disease going on.

The post What Is Your Tooth Sensitivity Trying to Tell You? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.