Don’t Be Afraid of Dental Caps and Fillings
Dental fillings and dental crowns are used to help preserve your teeth. The teeth have natural crevices and grooves that can act as a food trap. Even if we do brush our teeth regularly, we can not always thoroughly remove the trapped food debris. This food debris will be fermented by microorganisms producing acids that will destroy the surface of the tooth. This is how cavities start, which when left unchecked, will spread to the dentin and pulp of the tooth. If the dentin is involved, some discomfort, like sensitivity to sweet food and cold air, will be felt by the patient. As the destruction of tooth tissue continues to the dental pulp, the pain becomes more severe.
The dentist will normally give local anesthesia before removing dental cavities, so don’t be afraid of getting caps and fillings. A topical anesthesia is used to prevent pain from the prick of the needle. After the anesthetic is injected, you won’t feel pain as the dentist starts treatment.
The dentist will usually do an oral examination before suggesting any treatment. Dental cavities that are not so deep and wide can be cleaned and filled. The dentist will give suggestions on what fillings are best for you. You will be able to choose from amalgam and composite. Gold fillings are also used, but it is not common. If a cavity is deep, a base material is placed before the dental filling to protect the pulp.
Extensive cavities, when cleaned, could cause the remaining tooth to be weak in structure. To protect and preserve the tooth, dental jacket crowns or caps are needed. The remaining tooth structure is prepared and built up. An impression is taken, and is then sent to the dental laboratory for processing. Once the dental crowns are ready, it will be cemented to the tooth. Dental jacket crowns are also used after root canal treatment to protect the tooth. Crowns are used for aesthetic reasons, such as when tooth staining cannot be removed by bleaching. These are some of the uses of dental fillings and dental jacket crowns.
Don’t be afraid of caps and fillings. Instead, with the help of dental anesthesia, you should see them as a painless solution to common dental problems.
What is a Root Canal?
What is root canal? Probably, this is the worst possible dental torment imaginable when we pay a visit to our dentist. Most of us fear this kind of treatment, and it is arguably one of the most misunderstood treatments in the field of dentistry. A root canal is the procedure of fixing the tooth itself by removing the inside of the tooth, which is the pulp chamber, and filling it up with an artificial filling substantial enough to ensure the tooth is whole once again. Root canals are very necessary if you have a tooth decayed to the point that the tooth is actually rotting in your mouth.
The good thing here is most treatments are now much more comfortable than in the past. With the advanced equipment that most of the dentists have, along with their advanced training, the procedure can likely be finished in less than an hour. Needless to say, it is critical that the dentist cleans the tooth inside during the procedure, otherwise the damage will begin to dissect the nerve and eventually bacteria will develop inside the tooth surrounding the bone. It may lead to a life threatening infection.
Antibiotics will most likely be given to you after the treatment, primarily because the decay inside the tooth can make its way to your body and cause illness. For treating this, the dentist will mostly isolate the affected tooth and disinfect it, separating it from the rest. Once the specific tooth is separated from the rest, the dentist will then drill down to the tooth’s pulp chamber until it reach the root. During this process you may experience numbness on that specific area of your tooth. Don’t worry. Your dentist will provide an anesthetic.
Once the procedure is completed, the anesthesia will wear off, and you are likely to feel some soreness. Pain medicine will be provided to help you get through the day. The dentist will ensure that all of the infections will be taken care of, and a full recovery is the norm.
Effective Ways to Prevent Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a medical condition that can range from the inflammation of the gums to the breakdown of tissue and bones that support the teeth. Preventing periodontal disease can be done by practicing healthy oral hygiene.
Brushing the teeth at least twice a day is the best and easiest way in preventing periodontal disease. Flossing can also help in preventing the development of the disease because it removes any food particles that are left between the teeth. Visiting a dentist at least once every six months is definitely a significant help in preventing periodontal disease. Dentists can immediately detect problems associated with the gums and the teeth, and an immediate solution to the problem can be provided. Regular dental checkups can prevent tooth loss and incoming gum problems.
Gums begin to recede when there is a heavy accumulation of tartar and plaque. Getting a professional tooth cleaning at least once a year is a great help in removing hardened plaque, known as tartar. Using a mouth rinse will help in controlling the presence of plaque in the teeth. More importantly, use fluoride-rich toothpaste to prevent tooth decay.
Smoking must always be refrained from in order to prevent gum diseases. Smoking contributes greatly in the development of periodontal disease because it keeps the mouth dry. Dry mouth is a very conducive place for gingivitis-causing bacteria to thrive.
Drinking plenty of water also contributes to the prevention of periodontal disease. Having an adequate amount of saliva helps prevent the growth of bacteria inside the mouth. By eating a healthy and balanced diet, the body’s immune system is enhanced, which enables the body to effectively fight against the attack of gingivitis-causing bacteria. These bacteria are also responsible for the weakening and inflammation of gums. By eating nutritious food, collagens in the periodontal ligaments are formed. A healthy and balanced diet that promotes the health of gums should include Vitamin A, E and C and antioxidants such as zinc and bioflavonoids.
About Restoring a Broken Tooth
Teeth are what give shape and beauty to your face. So it makes sense that you need to take care of your teeth. If one of your teeth does break or crack accidentally you should get to a dentist as quickly as possible in order to try and save the tooth. If you are able to find the piece that has broken off, keep it in a cup of milk or within saliva until you reach the hospital or dental office where they can safely guard that part of the tooth. You should try and get to the dentist within 3 hours for the best possible chance of keeping your tooth.
As for the part of the tooth that remains, if any, in your mouth, it is important to stop the bleeding by gently rinsing the area and placing gauze over the expose area and biting down and creating enough pressure to stay the bleeding. You can also apply an ice pack to the outside of the mouth where the tooth that is affected is to help with both bleeding and pain. Once this has been done and you think the area is stable that you want to rush to your dentist or nearest hospital emergency room.
At the hospital or dentist office the doctor will examine the tooth nerves of the broken tooth. If the nerves are damaged then a root canal might be the only solution to restore your broken tooth. If the tooth is cracked or broken clean through then you will most likely loose the tooth altogether and have to choose between and implant or bridge to replace it.
If possible, your dentist will fix your teeth with a filling or bond material that would affix the piece of the tooth that broke off with the piece left in your mouth. To bond the broken tooth the dentist will apply a bonding material to the rough tooth and then applies the adhesive along with the bonding material. The broken off piece of the tooth would then be placed in its proper place. There is a substance that is placed over the tooth to help it stay attached. You have to keep it in place for 15 days and shouldn’t use that tooth for biting harder substances until it is adhered very well to its position. Then after one month, a x-ray will be taken to see the full details about your tooth and make sure it is properly connected. They want to make sure the root of the tooth is alive and well an as long as it is there shouldn’t be any additional issues or problems.
In conclusion, you should be very careful while playing. If you play contact sports or are concerned about your teeth you can wear tooth guards when participating in sporting activities.