Natural Ways to Keep Teeth Healthy

We love this handy reference guide from About.com to some key ingredients and their benefits to your oral health is listed below. Enjoy your favorites at any time to achieve a healthier, whiter smile.

Basil

A natural antibiotic, reduces bacteria in the mouth.

Broccoli

Forms an acid-resistant film on teeth that can help prevent enamel erosion.

Carrots

Full of Vitamin A which is absolutely necessary for the formation of tooth enamel. This and all crunchy vegetables also cleanse and stimulate your gums, making them healthy.

Cheese

Offers the benefit of lactic acid to help prevent tooth decay.

Celery

Activates saliva production, which assists in cleansing food particles from the teeth and dilutes sugars or acids in the mouth. Chewing celery also massages the gums.

Ginger

An anti-inflammatory to support healthy mouth tissue.

Green Tea

Contains an antioxidant called catechin (found in green tea too!), which reduces bacteria growth that causes gingivitis.

Kale or Chard

High in minerals that support tooth structure.

Implants versus root canals

Here’s a question I’m asked all the time: is it better to get a root canal or just have your ailing tooth extracted and replaced with an implant? My invariable answer is: many factors will determine what’s right for you.

The decision-making process should start with solid information. X-rays or a CT scan can reveal much about the size and robustness of the natural root structure. This usually changes over time. As people age, their teeth become more brittle and less vital; periodontal disease and bone loss also can weaken them. In my opinion, a reasonable rule of thumb is to ask whether the tooth can be expected to survive for at least five years after root canal treatment. If so, the patient may well prefer that option. Otherwise, a dental implant is likely to be a better choice.

Other factors merit consideration too. The price of both forms of treatment may differ, although in some geographic regions that difference is not as considerable as one might expect.

The amount of time and discomfort entailed in each procedure also can differ. Before choosing one course over the other, patients should talk to their dentists and get a clear picture of what would be involved in both. 

Yet another consideration is how you would feel about losing the tooth. Different individuals can react to this experience quite differently. It’s a very personal subject. A sensitivity to this question along with the many other factors can help ensure you make the  choice that’s right for you.   

E.max crowns

We’ve all heard the phrase “the gold standard.” It refers to something that’s a standard for excellence – the best. For thousands of years, gold held that position among materials used in dentistry. Today, however, alternatives have emerged that have exceeded that extremely high standard.

One is an all-ceramic material known as e.max. E.max crowns are made from blocks of lithium disilicate. This is an extraordinary material – as tough and durable as gold but possessing a delicate translucency that looks extremely natural.  Moreover, the amount of translucency can be varied to perfectly match the patient’s existing teeth.

To create an e.max crown, the laboratory technician takes a block of the material and presses it into a coping that gives it the right shape. Final processing perfects the optical properties. Alternatively, computer-driven milling machines can be used to sculpt the material. Such crowns include no metal, so they never have an unsightly dark line around the base. 

The e.max material can be used for crowns, veneers, bridges, and other dental applications. Many common  problems can be corrected with it: dental discoloration, worn or uneven teeth, spaces between teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, and more.

FAQ: Cosmetic Dentistry

We love this article from About.com about cosmetic dentistry!

Does Bleaching Damage the Teeth?

No. When carbamide peroxide, the active whitening agent, contacts water, hydrogen peroxide is released which whitens the teeth. Bleaching does not soften, demineralize or weaken the teeth.

Do Over-the-Counter Bleaching Products Work?

There is some evidence that over-the-counter bleaching products do whiten teeth, however, many of the products are too abrasive and can damage the teeth with extended use or misuse. Supervision by your dentist is always the safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth.

What Are Porcelain Veneers and Why Are They Used?

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material which are bonded to the front of the teeth. This procedure can be an ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth by masking discolorations, whitening teeth and/or reshaping a smile.

The Effects of Biting Your Nails

Onychophagia (also known as onychophagy) or nail biting is a habit of constantly placing your nails near your mouth and using your teeth to peel the top. It is triggered by stress, excitement, or boredom.

Here are the unhealthy effects of biting your nails:

·      Nail biting harms your teeth, leading to poorly aligned, weakened teeth.

·      Leaves your fingers sore

·      Skin around your nails may bleed and become infected

·      Swallowing dirty nails can result to stomach problems caused by has germs

·      For those patients with braces, nail biting weakens teeth roots, and could actually loosen or brake the brackets themselves.

·      Increases dental problems such as gingival injury and malocclusion of the anterior teeth

·      Fingernails may become severely deformed

Nail biting is a bad habit that can only make your hands look unsightly and damage teeth or even your gums. If you are trying to quit, try these simple solutions:

·      Keep nails trimmed short.

·      Apply a clear, bitter-tasting nail polish to the nails

·      Try yoga or any healthy activities or exercise to manage your stress

Consult to your doctor if nail biting persists. It could be a sign of a more serious psychological problem. Remember that your physical features reveal your real age and one part is your nails. Keep it healthy and clean!

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Time to Spring Clean!

Winter is long over and it's time to start preparing for all those smiles you're going to be making over the summer months!  Schedule your cleaning today.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Invisalign: Which Is the Best Way to Straighten Teeth?

Nowadays, there are different dental treatments for straightening crooked teeth. The only issue is deciding which one is the best one to give us the results we desire. Two popular ways to improve your smile’s appearance are porcelain veneers and Invisalign.

How porcelain veneers straighten teeth

Veneers are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics” because straight teeth can be achieved in as little as single visit to the dentist. Thin ceramic shells are placed directly onto the front facing parts of your teeth. You don’t actually move your teeth; you reshape them giving you a perfectly aligned smile.

How Invisalign straightens teeth

Invisalign is a teeth-straightening system that moves your teeth with clear plastic aligners. The aligners are changed and adjusted every two weeks to reach the desired location.

Advantages of porcelain veneers and invisalign

Porcelain veneers give results quicker. It also don’t just make your teeth straight, they can correct many other problems such as peg lateral and discolored teeth. Also, you don’t have to wear a retainer. Because your tooth roots aren’t moved, there’s no tendency to move back. On the other hand, Invisalign keeps your natural tooth material, which is always great.

If you have crooked teeth, Invasalign is the best choice. Porcelain veneers are a great option for various dental problems apart from minor crookedness, including stains, chips and cracks. Remember to consult to a dentist, he or she will know best when it comes to dental concerns.