Blog Munster Dentistry

Fill er’ Up!

Teeth wear down; they get abused by hard candies, sticky sugary snacks, and other items that can cause decay or cracks.

Many people are under the false assumption that only children get cavities. Unfortunately like all machines, when our body and mouth get on in age, they naturally will be in need of repairs. If you are one of those folks who think cavities are only something candy-eating children get, maybe it’s time for a dental check-up. If you do go in for a check-up and find you have cavities that need fillings, below are some helpful tips to consider.

There are two basic types of fillings: silver amalgam and tooth-colored composite resin. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Silver fillings are durable and can last up to 15 years. Some people however, don’t like the look of the dark silver fillings, while they may be more economical.

There are a few disadvantage of silver amalgam fillings: greater healthy parts of the tooth often have to be removed, the amalgam may create discoloration to the tooth, the amalgam material may lend itself to more frequent cracks and fractures, and silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, an element known to be unsafe to humans in certain concentrations. Some may also be allergic to the amount of mercury used in silver amalgam fillings.

Tooth-colored composites are the best choice for filling material from an esthetic view, as they most closely match the color of a tooth. These composites also chemically bond to the tooth and they are versatile. Often there is less of the existing tooth structure that needs to be removed in comparison to an amalgam filling. However, these composites are less durable than an amalgam filling. Also, the tooth-colored composites can more easily chip and are slightly less economical.

There are also ceramic and glass ionomer fillings available. If you would like to learn more about cavities and fillings, contact your neighborhood dentist. They will be more than happy to give you the complete run down on fillings, if you need them and which would be best for you.

Image Used under Creative Commons license. Photo Credit: 100_1373.jpg

Mommy! Mommy! Can We Go to the Dentist?

If you haven’t been to the dentist lately, you really should go check one out. With all of the new technology that is now available and all of the advancements that are being done in dentistry, going to the dentist is almost like going to a spa.

Have you ever had a mouth that just didn’t feel right, no matter how many times you brushed or flossed? Like a body that is just a little bit out of whack sometimes – a day when you focus on your body is exactly the kind of day your mouth occasionally needs.

Of course you will not be able to take a mud bath at the dentist or have hot stones placed on you back. But, you can have lovely people taking care of your mouth, toys and activities for your kids, and most dentists now have Wi-Fi and music available not to mention healthy snacks and beverages.

This isn’t to say that if you need a root canal that you will not feel it. However, with Sedation Dentistry and other medications available, it will be more pleasant than not.

What’s more is when you take your children for their dental care, a pediatric dentist who specializes in children will do their best to make sure that your child and you are in the happiest place on earth that is not Disneyland and where oral health is focal point.

If you are unsure of which dentist to go to, look online; most dentists have pretty nice websites that introduce them, their team and their office. Seriously, compare the dentist websites to the website of your local spa, I think you’ll notice several similarities.

So treat yourself and your family to a mouth day; visit your local dental office, even if you don’t have a dentist yet, and just check out the office. You’ll find that the bygone era of pain dentistry is all but gone. Most dentists go out of their way to insure that the entire family will be comfortable and have fun while they are at the dental office.

Image Used under Creative Commons license. Photo Credit: Marilyn_Monroe_Kids by mustafasoydan

To Whiten or Not To Whiten?

If you struggle with this age old question, hopefully these few words will help you finally decide if you should have your teeth whitened or not.

First off, if cost is your first concern, it should be your last; there are a myriad ways to either work out payment plans or get dental insurance (topics for another article). Your first concern should be your health; there are a few studies pondering if teeth whitening is safe (MailOnline, for example, points to a new law being look at in the UK). For the most part, the many studies that have been done on teeth whitening indicate most all kinds of whitening treatments are safe and pose no risk to your teeth (even the home whitening kinds). Of course you should be careful with how much whitening you do (sensitivity could become an issue) and which type.

There are some different whitening strategies: Discovery Fit and Health gives some home remedies that help whiten your teeth. My favorite one? Chewing on some celery. This goes right along with munching on fruits and vegetables. And of course you could do the ol’ rub baking soda to buff stains away. Keep in mind however, that if you want your smile to be as bright as Mother Nature intended, you will need to see your dentist.

There are a lot of over-the-counter choices available as well. Results from whitening strips can last for up to 4 months (according to WebMD). But, remember these contain a peroxide-based gel, which can be dangerous if a baby or child were to swallow them. There are also (thanks to WebMD again) tray-based tooth whiteners. These involve a tray that is worn for a period of time, depending on the desired results.

In conclusion, if you are a do-it-yourself type of person, whitening your teeth is more than likely something you can do. If, on the other hand you’re like me and prefer to have the experts take care of what they have become experts at, go ahead and make that dental appointment; it will be the quickest, most effective, safest, and done-the-best-way, to get your teeth whitened.

Whatever you decide to do, before embarking on any whitening treatments, be sure to seek the advice of your neighborhood dentist. They are the professionals, and, fully understand the various treatments available for this very visible and affordable cosmetic change to your smile.

Image Used under Creative Commons license. Photo Credit: Extreme Teeth Whitening by tsuacctnt

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The Great Wall in Your Mouth

The definition of plaque is really very interesting as described by Wikipedia:

Dental plaque is a biofilm, usually a pale yellow that develops naturally on the teeth. Like any biofilm, dental plaque is formed by colonizing bacteria . . . It has been speculated that plaque forms part of the defense systems of the host by helping to prevent colonization of microorganisms that may be pathogenic.

It is not a huge leap to compare plaque to the Great Wall of China. The building of plaque never ceases and the Great Wall took centuries to build and it’s still not complete. The Great Wall was built to keep attackers out while at the same time keeping people in. The Great Wall of China can be seen from space; if you have a lot of plaque build-up, it can be seen pretty easily, too.

If we heed only Wikipedia’s definition above, one might wonder what is so bad about plaque. The above definition is only a partial one and there are many more resources available online or at your local dental office that will point out the drawbacks of plaque. While building up its defenses the same material that protects erodes the enamel of the teeth. Of course the erosion does not take place over night. And, neither will the “take down.”

Like the Great Wall, plaque is very formidable. Both will never be totally deconstructed however, the Great Wall is maintained and cleaned for its millions of visitors. Plaque helps protect against billions of visitors, too (microorganisms). However, if you do not keep the plaque at bay (it occurs naturally, and can not be cleaned 100% away) it will destroy your teeth.

So, get into see your dentist, help them help you control plaque. Ask your dentist if the recommended twice-yearly cleaning is all you need, or, if there are other issues to deal with like periodontal disease or gingivitis. Remember your dentist is the expert and they love helping people get the oral care they should have; it’s what they do!

Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Rob Boudon

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