October 2017 - The Dental Place

October 20, 2017

Halloween parties and costumes can distract children from performing day to day important functions; and as parents we must deal with that plus bags of candy and snacks that can wreak havoc on kid’s teeth. Don’t be forced into emergency treatment at the dentist – be proactive with your children’s dental health.

Dental decay seems to be a pervasive problem for children … that is because their teeth have not fully developed lacking the strength of adult teeth. Plus monitoring their diet is very hard as they often eat away from home.

There are things you can do to help keep your children cavity free …

Teach them how to perform daily oral maintenance. Provide the correct tools and monitor their use. One of those tools might include an electronic toothbrush. An electronic toothbrush often comes with a timer to signal your child to know they have brushed a full two minutes. A toothpaste or gel that contains fluoride helps to strengthen dental enamel.

Flossing daily removes debris your child’s toothbrush missed, and when used correctly flossing also helps stimulate healthy gum tissue. While brushing is necessary for great dental health, flossing is just as important so make sure you incorporate this habit into your child’s daily oral health care routine.

Don’t allow sugary treats to take up residence in your child’s room. Keep in mind that what your child may enjoy most is the act of trick or treating. It’s not necessary for them to eat everything they collect.

Finally, make sure your child sees the family dentist every six months. A thorough cleaning will remove all plaque that has formed since their last appointment. Plaque build-up leads to dental decay.

Your dentist can offer preventative measures such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants that will provide protection to the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth not already impacted by dental decay.

Enjoy the holiday, but do everything you can do make sure your children are maintaining good dental habits.

October 6, 2017

A back molar tooth is very important in your ability to chew correctly. If a tooth is missing it can be uncomfortable often resulting in chewing on the opposite side all the time. Dental implants allow the patient to enjoy normal chewing (on both sides); and eating all the favorite foods you love from crunchy to chewy just like you did before tooth loss occurred.

The dental implant process begins with a discussion about your overall health followed by a very thorough dental examination including dental x-rays to help determine bone strength. Lack of sufficient bone in the jaw where the implant is needed may mean additional treatment such as a bone graft.

If bone augmentation is needed, it will be performed before the implant is placed. In some instances, it may be done at the same time as the implant surgery.

The patient will need to make sure they keep the implant area clean and healthy to prevent infection, a primary cause of implant failure. In addition to daily oral maintenance, tobacco use must cease as this is another primary reason for implant failure.

Throughout the healing period, the implant area is protected by a temporary covering. During this time bone is grafting to the titanium implant … this process is referred to as osseointegration. As the bone and implant merge, the implant is becoming a permanent part of the dental anatomy that will provide strength and support for the restoration that will ultimately be cemented to the implant.

When healed, an abutment will be attached to the implant. The restoration will be tried in, and when fit and function are correct, it will be cemented in place.

Your dentist will have the restoration fabricated to match surrounding teeth in size, contour, and shade so your dental work will be undetectable. This means you will be able to smile and laugh with self-confidence; speak without fear of your dental work slipping or moving; and you will be able to eat all the foods you love.

Care for your implant is the same as your natural teeth … brush and floss daily and visit your dentist every six months for cleaning and exam. To learn more about your tooth replacement options, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795.