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Something to Smile About
Caring for your oral health includes regular teeth care and gum
care. Neglecting your gums can eventually lead to periodontal disease,
also known as gum disease, which is a culprit for the deterioration
of your overall oral health. Periodontal disease affects 75% of adults
over 35 years of age and is responsible for approximately 70% of
all adult tooth loss. Since symptoms of periodontal disease oftentimes
are unnoticeable, people never realize their mouth is under bacterial
attack.
Highly recognized as a greatly progressive disorder, periodontal
disease is triggered by preventable factors like plaque build-up,
tobacco use, certain medications and stress, as well as unpreventable
measures like systematic disease and fluctuating hormone levels during
puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Research proves up to 30% of the
population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.
Periodontal disease begins when the bacteria in the sticky film
which forms on the tooth surface, or plaque, causes gum inflammation.
If the irritation is ignored, plaque will release toxins breaking
down the natural fibers which hold your gums to your teeth, permitting
even more bacteria and toxins to invade. Plaque deposits quickly
harden into calculus or tartar, which is a rough, porous substance
not removable with brushing. Over time, this progression can lead
to severe inflammation, bone loss, gum recession and tooth loss.
 Symptoms
and signs include:
- Red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums
- Gum recession, or gums pulling away from teeth
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between the gum and tooth
- Persistent bad breath
- Bite changes
- Change in the fit of partial dentures
If you have noticed any of the above signs or symptoms,
please make an appointment promptly! Together, we can win the battle
against periodontal disease and maintain your wonderful, dazzling
smile: gums and all. Now that’s something to smile about.
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From Dull to Dazzling: Enhancing Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry
Oftentimes the dental profession is considered strictly for more
intense cleaning and hygiene purposes. However, a dentist is actually
an artist who can make your smile sensational. Most dentists now
practice and perform cosmetic techniques, not just the run-of-the-mill
routine cleanings. Cosmetic dentistry seeks to create a more aesthetically
pleasing and healthy smile.
Although you may be meticulous about your dental care routine, your teeth
still might not look their very best. Drinking coffee, tea or wine will
take a toll on your teeth, causing them to look dull and
stained. Aging or the use of some medications can also result in a discolored
smile. One easy, safe way to revive your smile from these factors is
through whitening.
Plenty of adults are looking towards dentistry to heighten the appearance
and function of their teeth. Cracked, chipped or unevenly spaced
teeth are easily resolved by procedures like bonding or veneers.
Severely damaged teeth can be repaired with crowns, while bridges
and implants are natural-looking options used to revitalize your
smile. These methods will not only give you a more beautiful smile,
but will also rejuvenate your mouth’s functionality.
If you are not satisfied with your smile and want to take it a level
up from dull to dazzling, speak with us about the many smile enhancing
options available to you.
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“ Bridging” the Gaps and Wearing
a “Crown”: Total Oral Health Renovation
 Face
it, we are rough on our teeth. Sometimes we neglect them, take them
for granted or simply just abuse them. Between physical activities
like sports or chewing hard substances like ice, our teeth can get
knocked out, broken, cracked and worn down. Forgetting routine dental
appointments and ignoring proper cleaning tactics can result in periodontal
disease, tooth decay and ultimately tooth loss.
When teeth are missing, your mouth must compensate for the lack
of chewing power in that area in order to function normally. So,
the chewing force may shift to another part of the mouth, which can
cause unwanted spaces and changes in your smile.
So, how do we mend our mouth’s broken ties? By simple dental
procedures. Smiles can be renovated to look pristine using a combination
of crowns and bridges to support or replace lost teeth. A crown snugly
covers the complete visible surface of your affected tooth to add
strength, durability and tooth stability, while restoring your tooth
to its natural shape and size. Crowns can be made of precious metal,
porcelain pressed to metal and all-porcelain. A bridge, also known
as a pontic, is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill the gaps
left by the original missing tooth. The new tooth is then anchored
to the two porcelain crowns, renewing your once damaged smile.
The moral of the story is to be nice to your teeth: be diligent
with your oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly. Your teeth
are hard workers and they deserve to be pampered. But, if the damage
is already done, see us immediately. We can decide on the best treatment
to restore your smile. Your teeth will thank you for it.
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