In addition to straightening your teeth, Invisalign has several other benefits over regular braces. With
everything this orthodontic option offers, it’s no wonder so many people choose Invisalign to get their
dream smile. What are some of the greatest benefits of Invisalign?

More Confidence

Invisalign is an ideal choice for adults who don’t want their professional or personal lives to be impacted
by metal braces. With traditional braces, you may have to see the brackets and wires for a few years
until your treatment is complete.

This isn’t so with Invisalign. Your treatment with these clear aligners is virtually invisible, allowing you to
have confidence while your smile is getting straightened and looking better every day. No need to worry
about others noticing your treatment— they’ll just see the results!

Better Hygiene

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign’s clear aligners are completely removable. This makes cleaning
your teeth much the same as it was before you began receiving Invisalign treatment. You can easily
remove the aligners for daily cleaning and can even brush them separately along with your teeth during
your regular oral care routine.

In addition to facilitating better hygiene, Invisalign can help you avoid the risk of increased gum disease,
plaque, and bad breath that can come with regular braces. Braces are notoriously difficult to clean and
will take extra time and extra tools to clean properly.With Invisalign, you simply remove your trays and
clean daily!

No Food Restrictions

Invisalign aligners aren’t just removed for cleaning—they should also be removed when eating. One of
the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that you won’t have to avoid any particular foods just because your
teeth are receiving orthodontic treatment. You can still enjoy any crunchy or sticky foods that you love
when receiving Invisalign treatment—just be sure to take your aligners out before eating!

Shorter Time to a Better Smile

Although metal braces can take years to properly straighten your smile, the average treatment time for
Invisalign is just one year. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s treatment time will be
different, but the average length of treatment for Invisalign is less than that of regular braces.

In addition, Invisalign aligners also allow you to enjoy fewer visits to your orthodontist, as your aligners
won’t need to be adjusted in the same way that traditional braces do. Instead, you’ll simply swap out
the aligners as directed by your Invisalign provider to enjoy a straighter smile with less time at the
orthodontist’s office.

Have you been considering getting orthodontic treatment for your smile but hate the idea of braces?
Ask your orthodontist if Invisalign would be an option for you to help your smile be as beautiful and
healthy as you always imagined it to be. With better hygiene, a shorter treatment time, and no food
restrictions, Invisalign makes getting a perfect smile easier!

The post What Are the Greatest Benefits of Invisalign? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The truth is that both play a role in how healthy your teeth and gums are. Read on to find out if
your genes could be affecting your risk for cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and more.

You May Be Predisposed to Cavities and Gum Disease

Certain gene variations of the gene beta defensin 1 (DEFB1) are linked to an increase in cavities.
If you have this gene or a variation of it, you could be at a higher risk for cavities. Gum disease
may also be hereditary as well. If you know one or more family members that have gum
disease, you could have an increased chance of getting it.

However, none of these factors will solely determine whether or not you get cavities or gum
disease. You are largely responsible for taking care of your teeth. With regular care, you can
combat your risk despite a genetic predisposition, but if you neglect your smile, you increase
your risk for oral health problems even without one.

The Shape of Your Mouth Plays a Role

The size and shape of our teeth as well as our jaw is largely influenced by our parents. The
structure of your mouth can also set the stage for your oral health—if your teeth are tight and
crowded, they’ll be more difficult to clean and may require orthodontic treatment so that you
can have a healthy smile.

It’s more likely that the structure of your mouth that you inherited from your parents is
influencing your oral health rather than genes or a predisposition to gum disease. If you haven’t
seen an orthodontist yet but are prone to cavities and gum disease, see if orthodontic
treatment could help you have a healthier smile.

What You Can Do

Genes may also determine if you have a higher risk for oral cancer, meaning that if a family
member has or has had oral cancer, you might be at risk too. However, there are lifestyle
factors that are much more likely to affect your oral cancer risk, such as smoking or chewing
tobacco, drinking alcohol, and eating a poor diet.

The takeaway message is that while genes can certainly influence your oral health, cavities,
gum disease, and oral cancer aren’t explicitly hereditary. Just because a family member has
them does not mean you will. It’s imperative that you take the best possible care of your smile
to minimize your risk regardless of what your genes are!

There are so many things that influence our health, but it’s important to remember that you
have the power over your oral health. By visiting your dentist regularly as well as brushing and
flossing, you can curb your risk for gum disease and cavities. By seeking orthodontic treatment
if necessary and not smoking, you can help minimize your risk and exercise control over your
oral health!

The post Is Poor Gum and Dental Health Hereditary? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Translucent teeth can happen slowly over time for a variety of reasons. Here, we’ll look at some of those reasons and discuss what you can do to stop it from happening.

Enamel Erosion

Enamel erosion happens when the shiny hard protective layer that covers your tooth interior tissues is damaged. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but is usually the result of acids and bacteria present in the mouth that cause decay. One of the worse culprits of this is stomach acids—that’s why acid reflux or morning sickness can cause so much damage to the mouth.

Your enamel may be worn down due to other factors, including teeth grinding. Even brushing too aggressively can impact your tooth enamel. When enamel is eroded, your teeth may become more sensitive or appear to have chips and cracks or have a rough surface. Enamel erosion can cause a transparent look in the affected teeth!

Enamel Hypoplasia or Hypomineralization

Enamel hypoplasia can cause white spots on the teeth that may be translucent or white. Your teeth may even have physical abnormalities to them such as grooves or indentations on the visible parts of your teeth. Enamel hypoplasia is the result of the enamel not forming correctly, sometimes due to overexposure of fluoride, especially as a child.

Hypomineralization is a condition in which the enamel doesn’t receive enough minerals to be healthy. This leads to damaged enamel and translucent teeth. This condition may not be immediately apparent but may happen over time.

Some clues to look for are increasing tooth sensitivity, teeth changing color (becoming darker or translucent), or changing texture. As your enamel wears away, your teeth are also more susceptible to decay. Since enamel protects your teeth, a lack of healthy minerals or enamel hypoplasia can worsen your risk for tooth decay.

What Can You Do?

Translucent teeth can be embarrassing and worrying. Fortunately, you do have options for helping teeth that have already begun to turn translucent. Enamel remineralization may be an option—it’s a procedure done by your dentist to help repair your enamel. You may also choose veneers, which protect your teeth while also enhancing your appearance.

It’s important to prevent enamel erosion as much as you possibly can by taking care of your teeth. Enamel erosion can be prevented by brushing gently, eating a healthy diet, and visiting your dentist. Talk to your dentist about how healthy your enamel is and what you can do to improve it.

If you’re seeing a change in your teeth that makes them appear more transparent, you could be seeing signs of enamel damage. Talk to your dentist about your enamel. Teeth are not supposed to appear translucent and this condition could be affecting your dental health. Make an appointment to get help today!

The post What are Translucent Teeth, and What Can You Do? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Accurately Match Natural Teeth

With all-ceramic crowns, no other material is used. This means the ceramic naturally looks more translucent and accurately mimics your natural teeth, much more so than other crowns. There’s no metal showing with ceramic crowns, so these crowns work especially well for teeth that are often seen, such as your front teeth. They blend with your existing teeth to create the impression of a gorgeous, full smile. All-ceramic crowns are perfect for the smaller spaces that your front teeth usually constitute. When you want a crown that looks natural, consider getting a dental crown made solely of ceramic!

Biocompatible Material

Fortunately, ceramic is a biocompatible material. What this means is that it’s healthier for your natural gum tissue as opposed to harsh metals. All-ceramic crowns allow your gum tissue to grow around the edges of your dental crown, meaning it’ll look even more normal and seamlessly integrate with your beautiful smile. Since ceramic isn’t made of any type of metal, there’s no risk for an allergic reaction such as those that some patients experience with metals. You’ll also have limited risk for sensitivity to temperature when eating or drinking. Ceramic proves itself to be the best crown material for many patients.

Best of Both Durability and Beauty

Metal crowns tend to be stronger than ceramic ones, but they may be easily spotted by people who see you smile or speak. Ceramic crowns provide a solution that’s indistinguishable from your natural teeth, but they’re also durable and can protect your teeth for years. In some instances, they’re more cost effective than metal crowns.

Ceramics also tend to be resistant to wear as opposed to other materials. This is in part because your dentist can contour the crown to perfectly fit your bite and smile, which not only looks better but allows your tooth to function as it naturally would and be resistant to any other type of tooth wear.

When you want a crown that’ll be virtually invisible in your mouth but provide you with the functionality of your existing teeth, talk to your dentist about all-ceramic crowns. These dental crowns match your natural teeth and tend to be healthier for your gum tissue. It could be the perfect fit you’ve been looking for!

The post Experience the Benefits of All-Ceramic Crowns appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Bleeding Gums Are a Sign of Gum Disease

Gum disease happens in stages. The first stage is gingivitis, where built-up plaque on the teeth will begin to affect your gums and cause redness and irritation. Your gums should be firm and pink, not puffy and red. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontal (gum) disease.

Bleeding gums are most often a sign of gum disease, not aggressive brushing. Although brushing too hard can remove tooth enamel over time, it usually doesn’t cause gum bleeding unless you’re brushing with a frayed toothbrush that needs to be replaced. Don’t mistake your bleeding gums for normal. Any bleeding from your mouth should be evaluated by a professional!

Built-Up Plaque Will Cause Problems

The accumulated plaque around the gumline will cause problems if it’s not removed. After the gum tissue becomes red and swollen, it can actually begin to pull away from the teeth. When this happens, small areas between the gumline and your tooth roots can become infected. This causes you to have the appearance of longer teeth as the gum tissue recedes. Gum recession also causes sensitive teeth and exposed tooth roots, which can cause pain when eating anything too hot or too cold. When tooth plaque builds up, it can lead to tooth infection and eventually tooth loss. Once the roots become attacked by the infection and bacteria, loose teeth occur. If left untreated, your teeth can even fall out.

What You Can Do to Help

If you notice bleeding combined with sensitive teeth, the appearance of longer teeth, or loose teeth, you could be seeing signs of gum disease. Other signs of gum disease include persistent bad breath and sore gums. Seeking help from a professional dentist can let you know for sure if you have gum disease and what you can do. The good news is that gum disease can be treated! Your dentist may suggest a deep cleaning to remove bacteria, plaque, and infection. This process is called root planing and scaling. This will help remove the infection, but your home care is essential to long-term success.

Taking care of your teeth through regular brushing and flossing can help keep gum disease away. Regular dental visits can also ensure your gum disease hasn’t returned and that you’re doing a proper job with brushing and flossing. Ignoring your bleeding gums could lead to dental issues that are much more serious than a little bit of blood on your toothbrush! Schedule a visit with your dentist to ensure your gums are healthy at the first sign of gum disease. Treating it early will increase your chances of success!

The post Don’t Ignore Your Bleeding Gums appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a serious dental problem because it inhibits your saliva from protecting your teeth. When teeth become dry through mouth breathing, smoking, or even certain medications, bacteria can damage your tooth’s enamel. Our saliva allows for bacteria balance that keeps our breath fresh and keeps tooth-damaging bacteria at a minimum.

If you have dry mouth, see your dentist or primary care doctor. Having a properly hydrated mouth can help stop bad breath! You may need to simply drink more water to help protect your smile, or you may need to switch medications. If you smoke, talk with your dentist about quitting!

Gum Disease

Gum disease causes inflammation in the gums and can progress to the point of tooth loss. If you have gum disease, this means bacteria have built up around your gumline and are attacking your tooth enamel as well as your gums. This can lead to bleeding, red, or irritated gums.

The bacteria responsible for gum disease can also cause bad breath. If you brush, floss, and use mouthwash regularly but are still experiencing halitosis, visit your dentist—gum disease could be the culprit. Gum disease can be treated, and this is best done before it progresses.

Tooth Decay

The bacteria that can cause tooth decay can cause bad breath. When was the last time you had a checkup with your dentist? Cavities can exist in all kinds of places and aren’t always easy to see. Tooth decay could be the reason you’re experiencing halitosis even after brushing and flossing.

Schedule a visit with your dentist to check for tooth decay. Your dentist can not only fill the cavity, but talk with you about your oral care habits to stop tooth decay and circumvent bad breath. Something as simple as better brushing techniques or incorporating mouthwash into your routine can help.

Sinus Infection

A sinus infection could be the cause of your halitosis! If you have a chronic sinus infection that’s not going away, see your primary care doctor. The sinus drainage could be filled with bacteria that’s giving your mouth an unpleasant taste and smell. Sinus infections are generally easily treated and can resolve your bad breath woes.

Although leftover food in your mouth can cause an unpleasant smell, this usually isn’t the culprit of chronic halitosis, especially if you’re brushing and flossing regularly. The bottom line is that seeing your dentist can help properly identify the problem. You may also need to follow up with your primary care doctor if you need to change medications or have a sinus infection. Don’t live with bad breath—schedule a checkup to see what the problem is!

Image courtesy of photostock at freedigitalphotos.com

The post Halitosis: Chronic Bad Breath and What You Can Do appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Why else should you visit your dentist this month? Here are the top three reasons December is the best time to get that last check-up in!

Cosmetic Dentistry for the Holiday Season

Maybe you’re avoiding seeing your dentist because you’re embarrassed about your smile. If it’s been a little while since you’ve seen the dentist and you need cosmetic dentistry work done, December is the perfect time to go before the holidays! Your dentist is an experienced professional who sees all types of smiles. Getting the treatment you need shouldn’t be impossible because you have dental anxiety.

Talk with your dentist about what experience he or she has in treating patients with dental anxiety and smiles who need treatment like yours. Chances are, your dentist will be friendly, open, and professional about helping you restore your smile and getting done any cosmetic dentistry work before the holidays. You’ll be amazed at how fabulous your smile can look for family and friends this year!

Get Your Second Check-Up and Cleaning

If you’ve gotten a check-up and a professional teeth cleaning once already this year, that’s great! However, it’s ideal to visit your dentist at least twice a year to ensure your teeth are healthy. Since no two smiles are the same, your dentist may recommend that you come in more or less often, depending on how healthy your smile is.

Regardless, getting that second check-up in December is perfect timing. During your check-up, your dentist can ensure your smile is healthy by checking for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and even oral cancer and TMJ disorders. Your dentist will also professionally clean your teeth, removing surface stains and helping your smile look its best and brightest for the holiday season!

Start the New Year Right

If improving your oral care is on your New Year’s resolutions list, visiting your dentist in December makes your goal all the more achievable. Small practices you incorporate into your oral health routine like flossing, using mouthwash, or even getting a new toothbrush can help improve the health of your smile! When you visit your dentist in December for a check-up, you’re starting the New Year right when it comes to oral healthcare. Nothing is more attractive than a healthy smile—so make it to your dentist before January to start a healthy New Year!

This December, schedule an appointment with your dentist to get that second check-up in, talk about cosmetic dentistry, and get a professional cleaning to start the New Year off right. You can ensure a healthy smile all year long for 2017, so don’t put off that dental appointment this December. Happy New Year!

The post Why December Is the Perfect Month to Visit Your Dentist appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

There is hope for you if you’re missing all of your teeth or most of them—custom dentures can fully restore your smile and give you the glow you need to smile brightly this holiday season!

Get a Fully Functional Set of Teeth

Custom dentures allow you to use your teeth again! You’ll be able to chew properly and eat all the foods you used to with your natural teeth. Since custom dentures are made specifically for your unique oral structure, they’ll fit seamlessly and be secure in your mouth. Having a fully functional set of teeth can transform the way you think about eating, smiling, and enjoying life. Don’t worry about eating with family and friends this holiday—your new custom dentures will enable you to enjoy and be worry-free!

Speak and Smile Confidently

When natural teeth are gone, it’s easy to feel self-conscious about the smile that you present to the world. If you’re missing all of your natural teeth, you may avoid smiling totally or be afraid to speak in public. With your new custom dentures, your teeth will look totally natural in your mouth, allowing you to speak and smile with confidence this holiday season.

Our teeth help us to pronounce words correctly and speak with certainty. Without them, you may begin to feel embarrassed about the way you speak. Your custom dentures will change all of that. You’ll be able to speak again and not feel ashamed or nervous—you’ll have a gorgeous smile to show off in addition to your speech!

Look and Feel Younger

Missing teeth can make you appear older. This is because they cause your facial muscles to sag as your jawbone is no longer being supported by your teeth, which stimulate the jawbone to remain strong and healthy. Your jawbone will deteriorate over time without stimulation, causing your face to appear sunken and the skin to sag.

With custom dentures, you can get your youthful facial structure back. The dentures allow your muscles to be supported and keep you looking and feeling young. When you have a new smile to show the world this holiday, you’ll wonder why you didn’t get dentures sooner!

Schedule an appointment with your dentist to talk about custom dentures. You can restore your smile this holiday season and enjoy your favorite foods, speak and smile with assurance, and look and feel even younger. Dentures can change your life— just in time to see family and friends this holiday season!

The post Restore Your Smile This Holiday Season with Custom Dentures appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay in children is pretty common. Children are often exposed to sugary beverages and snacks and lack the ability to properly care for their teeth, so tooth decay sets in. This is why regular visits with your child-savvy dentist are so important! Tooth decay could be causing discoloration of your child’s tooth, so get a check-up to see if your child needs treatment for decay.

Tooth Injury

Toddlers are always exploring and learning about the world they live in—this also means they’re prone to fall! Has your toddler experienced a tooth injury? It could have happened and you may not have noticed any visible effects of the fall or injury, but often teeth cracks or chips can be hard to spot. Your dentist can help identify if any tooth injury has occurred and is causing the discoloration!

Soft Enamel

Tooth enamel can get damaged for several reasons. Your child could have a mineral deficiency, or he or she may have too much plaque or bacteria that’s attacking the enamel and causing it to soften. Acidic and sugary foods can also be responsible for soft enamel. Since enamel is porous, it could be the cause of your toddler’s tooth discoloration. The signs of enamel loss usually aren’t apparent, but your dentist should be able to tell if your child’s enamel is damaged.

Too Much Fluoride

Fluoride can be beneficial for your child’s smile, but too much of it can cause tooth discoloration! Get your drinking water tested to determine how much fluoride your child is consuming. If your child is also using a toothpaste or mouth rinse with fluoride, he or she could be getting too much—talk to your dentist about how much fluoride is too much for your toddler!

Sickness or Medications

Underlying medical conditions or certain supplements or medications could be affecting the color of your child’s teeth. Ensure your child is healthy and take a second look at any supplements or medications your child is on. Antibiotics in particular could cause tooth discoloration. It’s always a good idea to talk with your dentist about what could be affecting your child’s teeth, especially when it comes to their health and medicines.

Tooth discoloration should be a cause for concern, and a simple visit to your dentist can help identify if there’s a problem and if so, what you can do about it. Your child’s primary teeth are important placeholders for their adult teeth and help set up healthy habits for the future. Work with your child to prevent tooth decay and always visit your dentist for checkups!

The post Causes of Tooth Discoloration in Toddlers appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Veneers

Veneers are an excellent long-term solution for gaps in your teeth. You have the option of getting either partial veneers or full veneers. Full veneers would cover your entire smile, while a partial veneer would only cover the gap in your teeth. Partial veneers are typically more popular as they cover a small area of your teeth and allow your natural smile to remain radiant! Veneers are extremely sturdy and can withstand the everyday wear-and- tear that your teeth experience. Porcelain or ceramic veneers are excellent cosmetic dentistry options for larger gaps in your teeth.

Dental Bonding

Also known as teeth bonding or composite bonding, this option is usually the most cost-friendly of your cosmetic dentistry options for gapped teeth. This treatment lasts between five and ten years and allows your dentist to use composite resin to help improve the appearance of the gap in your smile. Your dentist will use the resin, which seamlessly matches the natural color of your teeth, to essentially fill in the gap and make your smile appear smooth and beautiful! The resin will be applied to the teeth on either side of the gap to help close the space. This type of treatment is typically used for smaller gaps.

Invisalign Orthodontics

If you’d like to close a gap in your teeth via orthodontics, Invisalign can be a great option for you. Invisalign is different from traditional braces because people can’t see that you’re straightening your teeth or closing the gap in your smile. Invisalign uses custom-fitting clear trays that slowly and precisely move your teeth into place. This option can help close the gap in your beautiful smile and make your treatment virtually invisible! Talk with your dentist or orthodontist if you’re a candidate for Invisalign to fix the gap in your smile.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can also be effective options for gaps in your smile. A dental bridge consists of an artificial tooth that is effectively anchored to the teeth on either side of your gap, therefore effectively filling in the gap with a tooth that looks just like your other natural teeth. This option is best for people who are missing a tooth that’s creating the gap, as it can help prevent the shifting that often happens when your smile has missing teeth.

Gapped teeth can hurt more than just your self-confidence— missing teeth can cause shifting, and natural gaps can be difficult to clean, hurt your self-esteem, and lead to you avoid smiling and showing your beautiful natural teeth. Talk to your dentist about which cosmetic dentistry options for gapped teeth you qualify for— you’ll be amazed and pleasantly surprised with the results!

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