Archive under: September, 2007

What are Dental Sealants?

Sep 30 | Posted in the category: Dentistry

The modern dentist has an increasingly sophisticated arsenal available to aid patients in fighting tooth decay. One member of this arsenal, the dental sealant, has been available for 25 years continually undergoing refinements.

Dental SealantDue to the nature of the molars, intrinsically having numerous fissures and microscopic cups, they are far more difficult to clean and more susceptible to decay. And although increased widepsread public health measures to help combat decay such as fluoridation and vastly improved dental hygeine methods, molar decay remains a consistent threat to healthy teeth. Dental sealants were developed in the 1960s and 1970s to help combat this susceptibility.

Dental sealants are used to cover and close the small fissures and cups that harbour plaque and eventually decay. The application is usually performed by a dentist and involves painting a uniform layer of resinous plastic sealant on to the teeth. The compound used is very similar to that used to create “white” plastic fillings.

The plastic compound is then set by focusing blue spectrum natural light on it. Once cured, the plastic sealants form a thin, smooth, highly durable layer over the treated regions. Since the molar’s surface has been smoothed out, regular brushing becomes far more effective at removing plaque.

In spite of near continual use, and the many high stresses and strains applied to teeth through biting and chewing, the cured seal can last for upward of 5 years but should be inspected regularly for damage. In the event of damage to the sealant, a new layer of sealant can be applied over the corrupt areas.

Despite dental sealants being close to 100% effective in preventing decay in molars and it being an only moderately expensive treatment, it is estimated that fewer than 25% of the population have dental sealants.

More about Periodontitis

Sep 25 | Posted in the category: Dental Diseases

Periodontitis, comes when you decide not to brush your teeth often. It builds up plaque, to the point where it starts to destroy tissue around the tooth. Once this has happened, the tooth may start to decay. Get loose, or stay inside but start chipping. If that is the case, then you must see a dentist. To get the tooth pulled out. If not, the disease will spread. Causing it, to harm other parts of your mouth and jaw bone.

Periodontitis, is probably the worst causes of tooth failure. By not brushing, you allow the plaque to stay put. While this goes on, the bacteria is growing. This can cause, bleeding in the gums. As well as bad breath, and irritated gums. Making this extremely uncomfortable for you. The tooth, may also shift positions. This can cause it to irritate the gums and cheek tissues even more. Try not to take the tooth out by yourself. Get a dentist, or professional to do this. Taking it out, can result in chips and pieces left inside your gum.

Periodontitis Chetan Once the tooth is out, you might not feel so good. Loosing a tooth, can be unattractive. This can lead to some emotional problems, and self doubting. Don’t stress it, though. There is a way, to fix all of that. Once your tooth or teeth are out. Ask the dentist about a dental implant. These can help you in many ways, begging with giving you a new tooth. Another, they don’t rot, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t brush.

They also, adapt just as well as your regular tooth. You should fine nothing wrong with a dental implant, if you do(Know more in oral surgery). Talk to your local dentist. Get the problem fixed right away. It should feel as comfortable as a regular tooth. If you seek more information, ask your dentist about tooth implantation. He will tell you all the benefits, and maybe a negative or two. All should go well from there.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Sep 22 | Posted in the category: Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry, relates to modifying the oral cavity and surround structures. Cosmetic dentistry can modify and reshape. The area around your mouth. Whether this be for visual pleasure, or a health problem. It is often used, with cosmetic surgery. In which is to believe, this is plastic surgery for the mouth.

Cosmetic dentistry, can be closely related to plastic surgery. Many people, do lip injections and dental work. Lip injections, could be making the lips smaller. Re-forming them, and or making them a bit bigger. Bonding is another cosmetic dentistry. Bonding is repairing, and shaping broken or chipped teeth. Dental implants, are another huge cosmetic feature. Sometimes, you lose your teeth, it happens. But there is something you can do about this. Dental implants, are fake teeth, rooted inside your gum.

Believe it or not. With out teeth, your face begins to sag. Showing age, and age lines. Dental implants will help you there. Tooth whitening is another good area. Do you have huge smile? Maybe you do. But with that smile, how white are your teeth? It’s embarrassing not to have white crisp teeth. Who wants to stare at yellow teeth? Who wants to kiss that? Cosmetic dentistry, has made a break through with this. Teeth whitening, isn’t only for the rich and famous. The average joe can do this. You don’t even have to go to the dentist. Look at your local shopping center, for tooth whiteners.

Dental veneers, are used for chip or broken teeth. Using plastic or porcelain laminates, to bond to your teeth. Will make the chips, and edges disappear. They are also, heavily used. When some one has a big gap. Between there teeth. These will keep your smile, up and about for ages. If you are looking for some of these products. Ask your dentist, and research more on cosmetic dentistry. To learn how it can benefit you and your smile.

What are Impacted Teeth?

Sep 20 | Posted in the category: Dentistry, Teeth Care

Impacted teeth occur either because the path for their emergence is blocked, or because they have formed in the wrong position in the mouth. The eruption of teeth into mouth is not fully understood, but it is probably the result of rapid multiplication of the cells which from the tooth root, the pressure of which thrust the tooth through the overlying bone.

In cases of impaction, the problem is not usually one of failure within the developing tooth itself, but either of its position or of its relation to the other teeth nearby. Where there is crowding, that is, inadequate space in the mouth for all the teeth, the last teeth to erupt often have insufficient room, because the space available has all been taken by the teeth which have already emerged. Under these circumstances, the later erupting teeth may grow through, but out of line, or alternatively, they may be unable to emerge fully. When a tooth fails to erupt, either fully or partially, it is described as being impacted.

The cause of the crowding which leads to most impactions is not really understood, but it may arise as the result of the individual inheriting large teeth from one parent and small jaws from the other. It has also been suggested that there may be an evolutionary process in progress leading to a reduction in the size of the human jaw.

Sometimes, teeth are impacted as the result of their being formed in the in the wrong position. For example, upper canine teeth are sometimes too deeply placed, so that when they begin to erupt, they grow towards the alveolar bone [bordering the gum]. It is then not usually possible for them to erupt.

Impactions are comparatively uncommon in the milk teeth [called the deciduous dentition] because, as they are small, crowding is usually less. It is possible for any permanent tooth to become impacted, but impaction due to overcrowding most often affects wisdom teeth, the third molar, canines and premolars [situated in front of molar]. Impactions which are due to tooth development in incorrect positions affect upper canines more commonly than other teeth, and the problem often runs in families, showing that it inherited.

Why are people afraid of Dentists?

Sep 18 | Posted in the category: Dental Tips, Dentistry

Taking care of our teeth is hygienic. Mouth is home to thousands of bacteria and if its not cleaned properly, you are prone to oral bacteria related diseases. Many people think brushing is enough, unfortunately experts believe you should visit a dentist at least twice a year to get the teeth professionally cleaned and check for repair works. Despite knowing the importance of going to a dentist, many people avoid going to a dentist, because they have a fear of dentists.

Dental PhobiaPrevious bad experience is a common reason why people fear the dentist. But there have been lot of changes in the industry and now its pain free. Mouth is a very personal part of our body and having someone working on it can threaten us, make you feel like a invasion of privacy. Lying in the chair and dentist working with drills centimeters away from our nerves, makes us feel vulnerable. Dentists image is like a tooth surgeon with some nasty tools in his hand & is a bad man.

What can be done about fear of dentists ?

There is no medication or herbal remedy to fix this fear. Recognize your fear and decide, how to overcome it. This is the greatest hurdle you face if you fear from dentists. Find out more about dentistry and therefore control over your own health.
Don’t be afraid to ask for information and advice about dental fear and ways of treating it. Evaluate your dentist, as its the most crucial role in getting rid of your fear. Find a planned and designed dental clinic to be friendly and relaxing. Be aware of modern techniques used by dentists and have patience for it to take effect.

During the treatment get your self involved in decision making, have the dentists show you the tools and where the problem is and how it can be treated. The more you get yourself involved, more are the chances of yourself projecting your mind to a thought of a healthy teeth. The less vulnerable you feel, more is the comfort level.

Doctors and medical advisers repeatedly been advising people and tobacco addicts to avoid tobacco and its products. As tobacco has a harmful chemical called Nicotine which later results to serious conditions and even cancer, Oral cancer due to tobacco and Lung cancer due to smoking of cigarette. For people like these, i would suggest the best thing as a Vaporizers, which heats the tobacco to a certain temperature, and here the toxic ingredients are lost, and the main plant material remains intact.

In a vaporizer, a temperature of about 180 C at which the material melts and vapor is produced which is less harmful than a normal smoke. The main ingredients that are lost by the process of vaporizing are Tar, Carbon monoxide and Carcinogens. Also the taste of the vaporized product also becomes pleasant and well accepted by people.

So if you can’t avoid it, at least modify it.. its beneficial for you! There are various kinds of vaporizers available in the market, try out any and save your life :)