December 2015 Entries

How to deal with tartar on teeth 

12/06/15

Dental calculus or tartar is a term used to describe solid deposits on teeth caused with the process of mineralization of dental plaque. They can be easily noticed because they come in the form of yellowish and white deposits formed on the teeth in the joint area of gums and teeth. Tartar is most frequently found in the area of the lower front teeth on the inside.

Most people believe that the formation of tartar is a direct cause of some kind of food we eat or lack of proper oral hygiene. However, most people ignore some everyday habits that are bad for the health of their teeth and their oral health in general.

Eating sticky and soft foods will certainly increase the chance of formation of tartar on teeth especially if you don’t brush your teeth on a regular basis. On the other hand, solid food like fresh fruit or firmer bread cannot remain on the teeth and because of that it can improve the work of the oral system. Besides that, some common habits like drinking black tea, coffee, colored drinks or smoking lead to pigmentation of the tartar and it becomes yellowish or brownish.

Tartar removal with the help of ultrasound is one of the most efficient and painless dental procedures. There are many dentists that still rely on sonic devices, while the so-called manual removal of tartar is no longer practiced. If the patient has also developed a periodontal disease, the dentist will first perform scaling and polishing of the root of the tooth with an ultrasound-based device.

When we talk about tartar removal with the help of ultrasound, it is good to mention that the patient can be anesthetized so the procedure is completely painless. Finally, the cost of this procedure is very low. 

 

How to take care of dentures? 

12/13/15

There are many people who make the same mistake and believe that oral hygiene doesn’t matter when they have dentures. Of course, this is not true.

Dentures can replace all the teeth and in this case we are talking about complete dentures. There are partial dentures that replace only some of the missing teeth. No matter what kind of dentures you have, before using them it is highly recommended to brush the gums, tongue and remaining teeth with a soft toothbrush.

A few tips for proper care of the dentures

When removing the dentures, make sure that there is a towel or a bowl filled with water in front of you because in this way if the denture falls off it won’t break. Store the dentures in lukewarm water or special cleaning solution overnight. Remember that dentures should be replaced every five years because everyday use of dentures reduces their functions.

Clean the denture on a daily basis because in this way you prevent the formation of stain and keep your mouth healthy. When you are cleaning the denture , do it carefully – remove all traces of food and after that soak the denture. Use a suitable brush to brush the dentures. You can also use a mild liquid to clean them properly. Brush all the surfaces, but do this gently in order to avoid any damage. There are special toothbrushes for dentures, so this might be the best solution.

Hold to these practices regardless of your age and oral health:

- Watch for signs of gum disease – bleeding when eating solid food or during brushing

- Brush your teeth twice a day (or more) with fluoride toothpaste and use dental floss too.

- Harmful deposits on the teeth are formed much faster in older people.

- Visit your dentist on a regular basis. 

 

Replacing Missing Teeth   

12/20/15

There are many reasons why people lose their teeth. No matter what the reason is, they all want to replace them because the gap in their jaw is causing a lot of problems and makes them feel unattractive. The following is a step-by-step explanation of the procedure that replaces one missing tooth with implants and the process of creating a dental bridge over implants.

The replacement of a missing tooth consists of three different components. The first one is the titanium implant which actually represents a titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone and replaces the lost tooth root. The prosthetic upgrade is the link between the implant and the crown. It is fixed to the implant. Finally, the dental crown is placed when the implant is in place and the prosthetic upgrade is finished. This is the last, visible part of the artificial tooth.

The procedure

The first step in this therapy is the conversation between the patient and the dentist followed by a thorough dental check-up. Before the implant is placed, all other teeth, including the gums must be repaired. The procedure cannot start if the dentist determines the presence of caries, granuloma, periodontal disease of inflammation of the gums. With the analysis of X-ray of the jaw, the dentist will check the condition of the bones and determine the exact location of implant placement.

The surgery is performed in the dentist’s office under local anesthesia during which the patient doesn’t feel any pain. The process of mounting an implant lasts for about 30 minutes. After the process is finished, the implant is left for about 3 to 6 months in order to merge with the bone. During this time the patient is using a temporary solution.

These “artificial” teeth are maintained in the same way as natural teeth although they are much more resistant and durable. 

 

Sensitive Teeth – A Very Unpleasant Condition 

12/27/15

Do you remember the days when you were in elementary school and the visits to the dentist for the purpose of education on proper brushing and dental maintenance? Do you remember how dentists emphasize the importance of proper and regular brushing of teeth in order to keep our dental health? In case you’ve forgotten or you simply want to confirm your knowledge, you should definitely read this article.

According to many dentists from around the globe, food that increases pH value and certain drinks (usually soft drinks) are the most common factors that contribute to teeth sensitivity. In addition, improper brushing technique can worsen the situation.

Dentists advise people to hold the toothbrush at an angle of about 45 degrees to the gum and to make small and soft movements that start from the gum to the top of the teeth. The brush should be soft or medium-hard. Electrical toothbrushes can be very helpful because they allow people to control the pressure. Now let’s see what tooth sensitivity is.

This is a health condition that occurs as a direct result of irritation of the nerves. You can easily recognize the symptoms because they occur in the form of unpleasant and sharp pain in one or more teeth caused by cold food or drink, pressure on the tooth or cold air. It is good to know that more than 15% of the population in the world is suffering from this condition.

In order to prevent tooth sensitivity you should use your brush in a proper way and on a regular basis. You should also use dental floss. A mouth wash can prevent and solve the problem when it occurs. If the problem remains, you need to visit your dentist because this might be a sign of some other problem related to your health.