Category: Uncategorized

Most people aren’t aware that you need all of your teeth to eat certain foods. It’s just natural to pick up any food you want and eat it. However, people with missing teeth can’t eat whatever they want. They don’t realize that a lot of foods require lots of chewing, which can be very challenging with missing teeth. It is good to get help with a missing tooth because if it’s not treated it can cause some health issues.

How Having Missing Teeth Can Affect Your Health

Tooth loss can damage your natural sensory input, which can result in people losing their appetites. When people experience pain or stress in the mouth due to missing teeth, it can cause them to avoid certain foods (especially healthy foods), and make them eat less in general. Having missing teeth means your gums and jaws have to work harder to chew food. Lack of a healthy diet can cause a lot of health problems. A diet of soft and processed foods can have a long-term effect on seniors or those with health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. A poor diet can lead to weight loss, weight gain, high blood pressure, malnutrition, high cholesterol, or jaw bone loss. Poor nutrition can also cause tooth decay and gingivitis.

Tooth loss can cause some issues in your mouth as well. Some of your remaining teeth can shift into the spaces left open by your missing teeth. It can cause your remaining teeth to become weak. It can then lead to bite problems and even jaw joint pain. You can also experience soreness, bleeding, and irritation in your gums.

Having missing teeth can have some consequences. It’s not a serious problem so you shouldn’t worry. If you are having trouble eating with missing teeth, please call our office so we can help you. From there we can set up an appointment and provide you with all the answers and help you need.

If you have a dental crown or crowns, you know how these restorations can significantly improve the looks and functionality of a smile. That is why this type of restoration is a popular dental upgrade. However, sometimes people find they are allergic to a crown, especially if it is made with metal. The following information will elaborate on why this can happen.

What Happens if You Are Allergic to a Dental Crown?

While the incidence is rare, you can have an allergic reaction to a dental crown. When this happens, you need to consult with our dental team to see how to treat the cause. A number of materials in a dental office can lead to an allergic reaction. These materials might include amalgam, porcelain, bonding resins, flavorings in oral rinses, or fluoride. The porcelain in a dental crown, for example, may lead to gum irritation and redness, including swelling. However, most adverse reactions result from a metal allergy.

How Do You Treat an Allergic Reaction to a Dental Material, Such a Porcelain or a Fused Metal?

If you are one of the rare patients who has a bad reaction to metal, you do have options. In this instance, you may need to have a porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown replaced with a more biocompatible material, such as ceramic or zirconia. Whatever your reason for an allergy, we will work on determining the cause and seeking a way to lessen the effects.

We can help you with any allergy concerns you have when getting dental work. Knowing what causes irritations, ulcers, or rashes around the mouth can help us customize your Prosthodontic treatments. That way, you can receive restorations made with allergy-free materials. Call us today if you have any worries about metal allergies or similar reactions.

While dentures give you plenty of reasons to smile, sometimes, you can run into problems with respect to how they fit. During those times, you may experience pain and gum sensitivity. When this happens, you need to take corrective measures fast. While over-the-counter pain relievers can be used, you also need to contact our Prosthodontic team and tell us about the pain and its source, if you know it. By working with our staff, you can resolve a pain issue much more quickly.

How Your Dentures Can Cause Pain

Sometimes, when your dentures do not fit properly, they will rub against your gums. During these times, the dentures have loosened, which makes it difficult to speak or chew because the dentures do not adequately adhere to the gums. In these instances, you may experience gum sensitivity, blisters, sores, swelling, and or jawbone pain. Whenever you experience any type of pain, or you notice blisters or sores, you need to contact our professional staff about the situation.

How to Get Rid of Denture Pain

Again, if your dentures are causing you gum irritation and pain, you can alleviate the discomfort by taking over-the-counter medications, including acetaminophen or aspirin. It also helps to rinse with an infusion of warm water and salt, swishing the liquid inside your mouth for about a minute. However, with that being said, the best step to take is to adjust the fit of your dentures and have them relined. If you have denture pain, it is much better to choose soft reline. This will prove to be more comfortable after the realignment is made. While you can opt for a hard reline too, a soft reline is better if you want a more pleasant fit. You will just need to schedule more realignments in the future, as a hard reline lasts a longer time.

Do you currently have denture pain? If so, let our team of Prosthodontic professionals help you. Give us a call today if you believe your dentures need adjusting.

If you are caring for an elderly family member, you have a lot to think about. You have to make sure that they take their medicine on time. You may be in charge of making sure that they get their meals. You may be driving them to the store, or to doctor’s appointments, or to the park to play with their grandchildren. You may know that the bodies of seniors need additional attention, but have you thought about their teeth? The teeth of seniors require different treatment than those people who are younger. Here are some pointers for caring for older teeth.

Why Should I Worry About Teeth?

You may be caring for an adult with a lot of health challenges. If you are, those health issues can seem overwhelming, and the last thing on your mind may be caring for their teeth. However, caring for aging teeth is important. That’s because if you care for the oral health of seniors, you can actually help their overall health, which means you can keep them healthier for longer.

Tips for Teeth

Be sure that seniors are brushing their teeth, gums, and tongue each day, twice a day using a soft bristle toothbrush. They do not need to bear down when they are brushing their teeth, because it might damage their gums. Also, seniors need to make sure they are flossing as well, if they have their own teeth. Be sure that if the senior has dentures, they are taking them out at night, brushing them and cleaning them, because it cuts down on the amount of bacteria they have in their mouths. Encourage your senior to drink tap water, because it contains fluoride, which will help their teeth stay stronger over time.

Above all, make sure your loved one visits the dentist twice a year. Not only can we check to make sure they are brushing and flossing, but we can find and treat small problems before they become big problems. Contact our office today.

Dental bonding is probably one of the most common dental procedures one goes through. It involves pasting a small amount of dental material that helps to bond a gap or a crack between teeth. It is more popular for a small dental problem and is also budget-friendly, which is why many people choose this procedure. There is no reason why you should not opt for dental bonding because unlike what people believe, dental bonding can actually last for a long time when you look after it correctly. If you have dental bonding or you are planning to get dental bonding done and are wondering how you can make it last longer, then here a few things you should always attempt.

Choose A Good Bonding Material

There are different kinds of dental bonding materials available. Always take your time to understand the benefits of each dental bonding material and choose one that feels more natural on your tooth plus will last for a long time. Do not judge the dental bonding based on the price. You should rather take your time to understand the functionality of the material so you can figure out which will suit your tooth better. Different dental bonding materials are designed for different teeth, so always discuss your option with professionals like us prior to deciding which material you want to go in for.

Maintain Good Dental Hygiene

This goes without saying that the longer you want the bonding to last, the better dental hygiene you should maintain. It is also necessary for you to come in for regular dental checkups with us since this will ensure that your mouth is in good condition and there are no infections or decay that is happening. Bonding can last anywhere between 3 to 10 years, depending on how well you maintain it, and the only way you can maintain it is by ensuring that you keep your mouth clean and get your dental exams on a regular basis. You can learn more about dental bonding by visiting our office.

If you have recently obtained dentures, you are probably wondering what to expect as a denture-wearer. Don’t be anxious, you’re not alone! Dentures tend to create the feeling of a whole new experience, which you may feel ill-equipped for. This new experience will be easy to navigate with some simple adjustments here and there.

What to Eat Immediately After Getting Dentures

Immediately after getting dentures, the immediate worry should be getting used to the dentures. This includes getting used to the soreness and discomfort they cause on the gums. Once you get used to this, you can worry about what to eat.
In the first few days, stick to a simple diet that consists of pureed and mashed foods. Some examples of this are mashed potatoes, baby carrots, pasta, and even smoothies. Take the foods on the as-needed basis and remember to clean the dentures as often as you can. This acclimatization will take a while, and during this period, you will feel the urge to bite onto something. Resist this urge.

Moving to Your Favorite Foods

You will eventually move to semi-solid foods that will require some biting and chewing. At this point you will notice a new sensation in your mouth. After a few mouthfuls you will be able to chew comfortably, and eventually get used to this sensation.
Slowly ease to your favorite foods in small amounts. It’s okay if you’ve gotten so used to mashed foods that hard foods are uncomfortable. With time, the process gets easier. After a while you will be back to normal chewing and eating.

Take Note

This process varies from person to person. It is perfectly okay if it takes you longer than expected to get back to your favorite foods. Always remember; with dentures, baby steps are best. Call us if you find a challenge with this process.

Are you missing a tooth or several teeth? Do you feel embarrassed by your smile, or lack thereof? You do not need to feel embarrassed, millions of people are missing teeth, it’s what we do about them that matters. We have helped numerous people who are suffering from undesired tooth loss with dental flipper teeth. Let’s briefly discuss what dental flippers are, what their purpose is and how you may be able to benefit from them!

What Are Dental Flippers?

A dental flipper is a removable partial denture that can be used as a temporary replacement for any missing teeth you may have, until a more permanent solution is available. They are made from standard denture acrylic, which means that they will resemble your gums and help to support the replacement tooth and or teeth for a more natural appearance.

What Does A Dental Flipper Do Exactly?

First and foremost, it creates the appearance of a full smile. Patients who are missing teeth loose self-confidence, which as we all know, can lead to a host of other issues within a person’s life. A dental flipper also fills in the gap where the missing tooth or teeth had been. This allows for the rest of the teeth to be properly supported, reduces uneven bite forces and helps to restore, or retain, the overall structure of a person’s face. However, it is important to note that, while the dental flipper is an easy solution, it is still only a temporary one.

The ability to eat is also improved with a dental flipper. This means a person can properly chew their food once more. When we do not properly chew our food, our bodies are only able to break down and absorb a fraction of the nutrients from the food we eat. This also allows a person to once again eat foods that had previously been off-limits, such as crunchier foods, like carrots or nuts.

Would you like to know more about dental flippers and whether or not it is a good solution for you? Contact our office today and schedule an appointment today so we can help determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a dental flipper and what long-term tooth replacement options you may have.

If you wear dentures, you may be tired of taking them in and out all the time. We get it: sometimes wearing dentures can be a pain. However, we are here to tell you, you can’t wear your dentures while you sleep. There are several reasons your dentures need to be taken out at night, including an elevated pneumonia risk. Not sure what we mean? Here are some of our thoughts on denture removal during sleep.

Dentures

Dentures are replacement teeth. They are made of plastic, composite, acrylic and porcelain. They are used to replace your teeth that have been damaged due to accident, injury, tooth decay or gum disease. Dentures fit perfectly to your gums and allow you to eat or speak without difficulty.

Why Leaving Dentures In Can Be a Problem

Dentures need to be removed at night for several reasons. First, your gums need to be cleaned twice a day. This is really important, because leaving dentures in can cause a buildup of tartar and plaque. Tartar and plaque are bacteria and they can cause infection. Research has found that people who leave their dentures in all night are twice as likely to get pneumonia as people who remove their dentures nightly. If you leave your dentures in at night, you are also at a higher risk for infections that can lead to major gum disease, heart disease or stroke.

Also, leaving your dentures in overnight also means that you may risk cracking or breaking of your dentures, especially if you suffer from bruxism, which is clenching or grinding of your teeth. Clenching or grinding your teeth means that you could crack or even break your dentures while you are sleeping.

Do you have questions about your dentures? We have some answers, so why not give us a call today?

If you are looking for a way of keeping up your dental hygiene while at the same time transforming your smile, then you should consider onlays. Porcelain onlays are a great way of rejuvenating your smile and protecting your teeth at the same time.

Porcelain onlays are ideal for individuals who are keen on repairing intensive damages done to the teeth. While they may be fitted inside your tooth, porcelain onlays will always extend up to the chewing surface. Many years ago, onlays were designed using gold; however, as time went by, patients began requesting tooth colored onlays.

When to Consider Porcelain Onlays

If you have extreme damage to the cusps of your tooth, then we will recommend porcelain overlays.After repairing the damaged section of your tooth, we will cement the porcelain onlay to your tooth. The great thing about porcelain onlays is that they are long-lasting and scratch-resistant. With that said, here are some of the main reasons why you should consider porcelain overlays for cosmetic enhancement, fractured fillings, large fillings, decayed teeth, and fractured or broken teeth

What Does Having Porcelain Onlays Involve?

Onlays procedures will require two appointments. During your first appointment, we will take several accurate impressions which we will use to create a temporary and custom onlay. While your tooth is numb, we will carefully remove any old filling material or decay.

We will then clean the space thoroughly and then shape the space to fit an onlay restoration. A temporary onlay will be applied while we make your onlay in our laboratory.

During your second appointment, we will cement your permanent onlay into place. To ensure that the onlay fits appropriately, we will make a few adjustments. After we have installed your onlay correctly, we will give you care instructions. If you are considering having porcelain overlays, then you should contact us.

Mouth guards seek to protect the teeth from physical damage by creating a barrier to hold the teeth in place when struck by outside forces. Most mouth guards sit on the top of the teeth while the bottom teeth are left bare. A quality mouth guard should possess three main qualities. First, it offers the most protection possible. Second, it should be comfortable to wear. And third, it should be easy to clean.

Mouth Guards for Sports

If you’re playing sports or have been recommended a mouth guard because of nighttime teeth grinding, you may know that there are many options available to you. However, not all mouth guards are made the same. Mouth guards come in three main types: stock, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. Stock mouth guards can be bought over the counter and can usually be found in sporting goods stores as well as some grocery stores. Stock mouth guards get their name because they are a one-size-fits-all product. They are the cheapest of the three types of mouth guards, but they offer little to no protection against physical damage. Boil and bite guards, like stock mouth guards, can be found in most sporting goods stores and grocery stores. They are slightly more expensive, but are more comfortable than stock mouth guards. They get their name from the way they are fitted to your teeth. For these types of guards, you soak them in hot water and bite them to get a better fit. Like stock mouth guards, they offer little in the way of protection, however, they do make breathing through the mouth easier.

We Can Help with Custom Mouth Guards

Custom-fitted mouth guards can only be created at a dentistry like ours. Custom-fitted guards offer the most comfort and most safety. We will take a mold of your teeth and create a mouth guard that exactly fits your teeth. Unlike other guards, custom-fitted guards are great for stopping physical damage because they fit the snuggest on the teeth. If you’re interested in getting a custom-fitted mouth guard to protect your teeth, give us a call. We can schedule an appointment to get it to you right away.