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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Cosmetic Procedures

If you have a cosmetic issue with your gums that needs to get fixed, a periodontist would be the
person to see. This includes gummy smile, where the gums tend to cover more of the teeth
than necessary. Since periodontists are experts at handling gum tissue, they can reposition the
gums to help reveal more of your smile.

Treat Severe Gum Disease

Periodontists are skilled professionals when it comes to treating inflammation in the mouth.
This includes patients who have an advanced stage of gum disease.
Although many dentists can treat gum disease, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist if
you have a case that warrants extra attention. This includes aggressive gum disease, severe
gum disease, or gum disease which is recurring.

Periodontists can also clean the gums in a procedure called root planing and scaling, in which
the infection and bacteria from gum tissue is removed to help your gums heal from gum
disease.

Help With Dental Implants

Periodontists can assist with the placement of dental implants as well. Since these special
dentists know all about gum tissue, they can help determine where the best place to put them
is. Dental implant procedures involve a post inserted into the jaw through the gum tissue, so
ensuring the right placement can be incredibly helpful for healing.

Periodontists can also help maintain dental implants or repair them if they were done
incorrectly. Your dentist can help you determine when and if you need to see a specialist when
it comes to placement of dental implants.

Who Should See a Periodontist?

Not every dental patient will need to see a periodontist. Many gum health needs can be
addressed by your dentist, but some patients may need a level of care and expertise that can
only be provided by a periodontist. At this point in time, your dentist can refer you to a
periodontist to help.

People who may need to see a periodontist include those that have advanced gum disease, a
complex medical history that may make regular treatment for gum disease too risky, chronic
gum disease, or gum disease that’s set in early, such as in childhood. Other cases include
patients who have a gum abscess, or significant gum recession.

Have you ever seen a periodontist? These dentists receive years of extra training to be skilled
and experienced in treating your gum tissue. If your dentist thinks you need to see a
periodontist to treat your gum disease, determine dental implant placement, or conduct a
cosmetic procedure, you’ll be in good hands!

The post Dental Specialist Spotlight: What Is a Periodontist? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Children typically begin losing their primary teeth around age 6, but the time can be different for every child. Generally, all the teeth are lost by age 13 and your child will have all their permanent teeth in. But what if your child starts losing teeth sooner than age 6? How soon is too soon?

The Earliest Age to Lose Teeth Is…

Although every child is unique, dentists generally advise that anytime before age 4 ½ is too soon for your child to be losing teeth. If your child got their teeth in early, they may lose their teeth earlier than other children. If your child loses his or her first tooth before they reach the age of 4 ½, it’s best to get a checkup with your dentist. However, you should also see your dentist if your child loses a tooth before age 6, even if the age of 4 ½ is still considered to be normal. This will help ensure your child’s smile is ready for their permanent teeth!

Get X-Rays from Your Dentist

Taking your child to the dentist for x-rays ensures that their permanent teeth are on their way in and that your child’s early tooth loss won’t impact their permanent smile. If your child lost his or her first tooth early but the permanent tooth is nowhere in sight, this could be a problem. Your dentist can help you determine if your child’s tooth was ready to come out and if the permanent tooth is on its way in! If your child lost his or her first tooth due to decay or trauma, treatment may be needed to ensure a healthy smile.

Always Get Regular Checkups

Getting regular checkups is always important for your child’s smile. Your dentist can ensure your child’s teeth are healthy and coming in properly with every visit. He or she will also check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth and bite structure. If your child loses his or her teeth early, the permanent teeth should be in sight to ensure the tooth loss was natural and not caused by a problem such as tooth decay or gum disease.

Remember that while every child is different, it’s best to get your child’s teeth checked out by your dentist when they lose their first tooth, regardless of what age that happens. If your child loses a tooth before age 6, your dentist will need to ensure that the permanent teeth are on their way in so your child’s mouth doesn’t have problems as he or she grows up.

Visiting the dentist is often an exciting time for children, and learning about healthy teeth and gums is always relevant. When your child begins to lose their primary teeth, schedule a visit with your dentist to ensure a healthy permanent smile is on its way!

The post Losing Baby Teeth: How Soon Is Too Soon? 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.

1. Use Moderation – You are obviously going to be eating some things that you normally do not have. Rather than skipping on a piece of grandma’s famous pie, just be sure that you eat a balanced meal with lots of good nutrition. A second helping of vegetables during dinner can help balance out the pH in the mouth despite a rich dessert. Just don’t eat the whole pie.

2. Be Choosey About Treats – Certain sweets are far worse on your teeth than others. For example, chocolates that are filled with sticky caramel are likely to spend more time on your enamel than just some plain chocolate. Avoiding sticky treats will help your teeth to suffer less in between brushings.

3. Keep the Toothbrush with You – Whether it is a family gathering at someone else’s home or an office party, bring your toothbrush with you, and use it. Just one note of caution. If you have a glass of wine, or something else acidic like orange juice, you will want to wait half an hour before brushing. Highly acidic foods and beverages can weaken enamel. Brushing too soon can cause damage.

4. Maintain Your Routine – Keep your toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss in your toiletries bag. Then be sure to maintain your routine, even if you are travelling. Plaque hardens into tartar in about 24 hours, so even skipping one day of brushing is a big deal.

5. Drink Lots of Water – Whether you are drinking it or just rinsing with it, water is an excellent way to keep your mouth clean between brushings. Plus, water helps to even out the pH and reduces how quickly bacteria can spread in the mouth.

6. Use Good Technique – Brush and floss the right way to ensure that you are getting any extra debris clear of your teeth and gums.

By maintaining a good oral care routine and using moderation at parties, at home, and at the office, you can enjoy your holiday treats and still avoid cavities.

The post Does Holiday Fun Mean More Cavities? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The Benefits of Damon Braces

Damon uses a revolutionary approach in the orthodontic scene. This is because they have done away with the elastics that plague wearers of traditional braces. These elastics have been replaced with a sliding mechanism. What benefits are achieved with this method?

– Tie-less braces do not require tightening throughout treatment. This is one of the most uncomfortable parts of standard orthodontics. Damon saves you the pain.

– Technologically advanced wires mean that it takes fewer adjustments to get your teeth back in line.

– Without being tied to each bracket, your teeth can move more freely. This also decreases the amount of time it takes to complete your orthodontic work.

– Traditional braces are often accompanied by palatal expanders or pulled teeth. This is rare with Damon braces.

– Damon braces are easier to keep clean and do not attract the plaque that elastic ties result in. Of course, your primary concern as an adult may be the stigma of having people see your braces. After all, the mouth and teeth are one of the first things a person notices about someone else. That is probably part of what you want your teeth fixed in the first place. Don’t worry. Damon has a solution for this concern as well.

Clear Damon Brackets Provide a Discreet Solution

Clear brackets provide you with the same great orthodontic treatment, simply without the stigma. What sets Damon apart from other clear orthodontic providers?

– Since there are no elastics, you do not have to worry about elastics that yellow and become visible.

– The brackets are specially designed to resist discoloration, so your braces remain discreet throughout your treatment.

– These work for individuals who may not qualify for treatment with invisible aligners. Plus, you don’t have to worry about losing an aligner or forgetting to put it in.

– The Damon System does not create speech issues that are caused by some invisible aligners. These are for people who believe that braces should be neither seen nor heard.

Comfort and Results: A Win-Win

The Damon System is designed to provide high-quality orthodontic treatment in the shortest amount of
time. All the while, the system keeps the patient as comfortable as possible. Plus, the clear option provides a discreet solution. This is the ultimate choice in orthodontics for adults.

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