Tooth sensitivity can be a debilitating problem for many
patients. When patients come to our office with tooth sensitivity pain – we
start by asking them a lot of questions, and conducting an exam to find the
cause. Usually it’s something simple, such as a broken tooth or a love of
drinking lemon water which has slowly eroded the tooth enamel, leaving the
tooth’s pores exposed. Whatever the
reason, there are several things we can do to help.
1. Root Canal – For some causes of tooth sensitivity, a root canal will solve both the underlying problem and the sensitivity itself. In these cases, an infection has gotten into the tooth and must be cleaned out. When the tooth has been cleaned of the infection it will be filled, covering the portion of the (inside of) tooth that was exposed. After this, the sensitivity will go away.
2. Fluoride – The purpose of fluoride is to help strengthen teeth. Teeth are weakened when there is damage, or wearing of the outermost layer, the enamel. In some cases, we can address sensitivity with fluoride treatments in the office, or with a fluoride rinse at home.
3. Repairs –
Cracked, chipped and broken teeth can be very sensitive. Depending on the
extent of the damage we can repair the tooth with a bonding, or a crown.
4. Fill the cavity
– Cavities are often the cause of sensitivity in teeth. Cavities are easily
filled when necessary and sensitivity usually goes away quickly after the
procedure.
If you’re not able to get make an appointment right away, you can avoid some tooth sensitivity by avoiding hot and cold foods and drinks. Additionally, regular, gentle brushing and rinsing with a fluoride rinse will help, and schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible.
If you are experiencing sensitivity, please consult with the
dentist or hygienist at your next appointment. You do not need to suffer when
solutions are available. Give us a call today for an appointment!
Adults sometimes find that their smiles are lacking
something they would like to see when they look in the mirror. If this is the
case for you, we can help. There are several cosmetic options available for our
patients—including new procedures—and we are happy to assist in determining the
best for you and your desired outcome.
Here are just a few cosmetic dental options available in our office:
Teeth Whitening – Teeth Whitening removes stains and restores a bright white color to teeth, giving them a healthy look. Whitening can be done in the office in a single visit, or with custom whitening trays fitted at the office and used at home.
Dental Bonding –
Dental Bonding is a procedure in which the dentist takes a material (usually a
composite resin) and adheres it to your existing tooth—and molds it into the desired
shape. This is done to make unusually small or chipped teeth match the other
teeth in your mouth mouth. Dental bonding is very effective for small changes
that make a big impact on a smile.
Dental Crowns – Dental crowns are resin or metallic covers for teeth that have significant decay to the biting surface. Crowns are permanent and custom made from a mold of your teeth.
Dental Implants – Dental implants are used when a tooth (or teeth) is missing. Implants are commonly placed after a tooth has been extracted. The implant is permanently attached to the patient’s jaw and is custom made to fit the patient and appear as a natural tooth (teeth).
Dental Veneers – A
dental veneer is a thin porcelain layer adhered to the front of teeth to create
a more uniform and white appearance. Veneers typically last anywhere from 10-15
years and will eventually need to be replaced. The natural tooth underneath
will be modified to accept the veneers.
Dental Bridges – Dental bridges are for the purposes of “bridging” a gap in the mouth caused by a missing tooth or teeth. These bridges create a uniform and attractive smile for the patient and can allow for normal food consumption and chewing of most foods.
Small cosmetic changes can be made that make a huge difference not only to your smile, but to your self-confidence. If you’re interested in discussing the cosmetic dental options available in our office and for your individual situation – we always offer consultations. Call for an appointment today.
Empowering Teens to Take Control of their Oral Health
Teenagers in general have notoriously bad dental habits. It is not uncommon for us to see parents are a bit embarrassed by their teenager’s bad brushing habits. So, parents… we want you to know: It’s OK. We work together with you, as a team to help educate your teenager about the value of good dental care, and help them take responsibility for their long-term dental care.
Here are a few things
to consider about your teenager and their dental care.
1) 6-month dental check-ups.
The single-most important thing you can do for your teen is to teach them to
make and keep 6-month dental check-ups. These visits give us a chance to check
for cavities and other dental issues, and remind your son/daughter about proper
brushing and flossing techniques to keep teeth heathy in-between visits. These
visits are vital in preventing major dental issues later in life.
2) Braces make
everything harder. Many teens have braces, and all of that hardware and the
rubber bands make brushing thoroughly that much harder. However, there are
several options, including small and differently shaped brushes that can help
your teen get in-between the hardware and brush. We can show you and your teen
some techniques and options, and we can also schedule additional cleanings to
help your son/daughter make it through the “braces-years” with cavity-free
teeth.
3) Teens are… well… can be lazy. With little kids, we help them brush, we remind them, we bribe them. But then, the kids get a little older and we reserve our pestering to reminding them about curfew, and getting the college applications done. Oral care and hygiene is not something to be overlooked. The more the healthy habits of brushing and flossing are ingrained now, the better your child’s dental health in their dental health as adults.
4) Consequences are
hard to understand. It’s tough for a
13 or 15 year old to understand the
consequences of aroot canal, or losing a
tooth while you’re chewing. We don’t always talk to our kids honestly about how
maintaining proper dental care is a lot better than having to manage bone loss
from periodontal disease in their 50s or 60s. We talk about not getting
cavities, gentle reminders to brush
better and floss, and then a more stern warning when it’s time to fill the
cavities. It is important to honestly share with your teens the long-term
effects of neglecting oral care—because it can become a serious, painful, and
life-altering issue.
5) Healthy food habits may not be a priority yet. A teens new freedom of movement and choice may mean that less-than-healthy choices about sodas, candies, and fast food may be part of their routine. As parents, we should always limit the amount of high sugar foods available in the house and remind kids to take it easy on the unhealthy options at school and friends’ houses. Soda and sticky candies are not only bad for teeth, , they can also cause other health problems such as unhealthy weight gain and diabetes.
Your teen may not appreciate good dental care now, but the work and routine put into clean healthy teeth will be something they will have their entire lives. Years of pain, discomfort, health issues and dental procedures will be avoided—and that is a great gift indeed. If you have any questions feel free to contact our office.
Ensuring proper care of your teeth while on the road.
Whether it is vacation travel or business travel, regular and thorough dental care sometimes loses its priority when we are away from home. Let’s face it, traveling disrupts our routines, and consistent routines are really the foundation to proper dental care.
The real trick to maintaining good dental care when traveling is to make sure to stick as close to your at-home habits as possible. That means that if you brush religiously after breakfast and before bed, continue this when you are on the road. If possible, take your normal toothpaste, toothbrush etc. and place them out as you do at home so that you see them as you are getting ready to go out, or preparing for bed.
Air Travel. Traveling
can get complicated when air-travel is involved. Between trying to pack light,
and worrying about what you can/cannot take in your carryon, it can be easy to
deviate from your routine. We recommend that you double-up – put an extra
toothbrush in your luggage AND one in your carryon, that way not only will you
always have one handy, in case your bag is out of reach or gets lost. For long
flights, don’t forget your xylitol gum to keep the plaque build-up at bay (be
sure there are no other sweeteners as it reduces the effectiveness of xylitol).
Camping. Camping can be a relaxing experience—just getting away from it all. But roughing-it does not always lend itself to proper dental care. We recommend bringing bottled water with you to make the rinsing part of brushing a no-brainer. Put your toothpaste and toothbrush in a small toiletries bag in the front pocket of your backpack so it is easy to recover and stay as close to your routine as possible—brushing after breakfast and before bed—so that you stay on track.
Road Trip. Just like camping, taking a road trip can be seriously disruptive to dental care routines. Carry your toothbrush and travel toothpaste in a small bag and take it with you to brush whenever possible – rest stop bathrooms, hotels, or at your destination. But remember, your toothbrush needs air to dry, so when possible, dry the brush off between brushings! Lastly, keep the sweet drinks (sodas, juices) to a minimum when on the road. The long hours plus the sugary drinks are a recipe for plaque, which leads to tooth decay. Unsweetened tea, coffee and water are better alternatives.
Your dental care does not have to suffer when you are getting
away for the weekend, or going on vacation. With a little bit of planning and
discipline, your smile will be healthy and bright, no matter where you are.
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