Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a mild form of periodontal disease. Its presence is indicated by a redness and/or swelling of the gum area. Those who have gingivitis usually have gums that bleed easily, too. Gums generally bleed when slight pressure is applied such as after brushing or flossing. A change in the color of the gums is another indication that gingivitis may be present.

What makes gingivitis tricky to self-diagnose is that typically not much pain accompanies these symptoms. What also makes the problem go unnoticed by many is the fact that millions of Americans have some degree of gingivitis, especially those who are over age 35. Most don’t realize it isn’t ‘normal’ for their gums to bleed.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor dental hygiene. When plaque is not completely removed from the teeth, it will begin to release toxins. These toxins irritate the gums. In just a few days, plaque that is not removed from the teeth will turn into calculus, more commonly referred to as tartar.

These hardened deposits of plaque cannot be removed at home. A dentist must use a special tool to scrape away the tartar build-up. Because tartar cannot be easily removed, its presence will also irritate the gums. Tartar compounds the problem by giving bacteria one more location where it can grow.

Gingivitis is caused by other factors including genetics, certain medications, fluctuating hormones and certain diseases such as leukemia and diabetes. Fungal and viral infections such as oral thrush and herpes also negatively impact the gums. A weakened immune system can also trigger gingivitis because the body has a more difficult time fighting off the bacteria that develop along with plaque.

A diet lacking in Vitamins B and C and calcium contributes to the onset of periodontal disease, too. Therefore poor nutrition is also a cause.

Effective treatment of gingivitis takes effort on behalf of the dentist and the patient. If you think you have gingivitis, it’s important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will give your teeth a thorough cleaning that will include scraping the tartar off your teeth. The dentist uses a special scraping tool and the procedure might cause discomfort, but it’s absolutely necessary.

After completing the dental visit, the second step in treating and preventing future incidences of gingivitis is the development of a better at-home routine for tooth brushing and flossing. Brush at least twice daily, in the morning and in the evening, using a new toothbrush after every 3 months. If possible, brush once more after lunch. Daily flossing is important, too. And be sure to floss all teeth, not just the ones in front.

Both of these steps are equally important because when gingivitis isn’t treated by the dentist and properly addressed by the individual, the condition can become much worse. It can turn into periodontis, a more serious form of periodontal disease. At that stage, there is a real possibility that the tooth or teeth in the affected area might fall out – permanently.

Root Canal Treatments

Root Canal Treatments

When tooth decay progress deep inside the innermost layer of a tooth, the pulp can become infected. Sometimes the infection becomes so severe that an abscess forms. Other times infection doesn’t happen, but still the pulp becomes inflamed. Decay isn’t the only reason that pulp can become inflamed or infected. It can also result from a serious mouth injury or trauma. Regardless of the cause, the only way to remedy the situation, and save the tooth, is by undergoing a dental treatment called a root canal.

If a root canal is needed but not performed, it’s likely that the infection, if there is one, will spread. An even more significant consequence is that the tooth might have to be extracted. Some people decide to skip this dental treatment, thinking that a tooth that has undergone a root canal will ultimately have to be extracted anyway. But this isn’t true. It may be weaker but it will function again, either because it’ll be covered with a crown or filled with a composite material. If cared for properly, the procedure can result in lifelong success. Therefore, it’s always better to undergo the root canal procedure. No matter how much a root canal costs, it will be less expensive than a dental implant or bridge.

A root canal is a major procedure involving several steps. The first step is the most important one – delivery of a local anesthesia. If determined necessary, the patient may be sedated. Once the patient is prepared, the dentist uses a special tool to cut through the crown. The cut that is made has to extend down to the pulp chamber. The dentist will take an x-ray to help measure the canals. The dentist will next clean out the affected pulp and the infection using a tool called an endodontic file. An antiseptic is also delivered to help with the infection.

After the dentist has completed the canal cleaning stage, the canal is filled with a substance called gutta-percha. This filling will be permanent and will help ensure that the canals do not become reinfected or contaminated again. With the canals clean and filled, work to repair the hole that was cut through the tooth begins. The hole is filled temporarily and that filling remains in place while a crown is created for the affected tooth. When the crown is ready, it is fitted, adjusted and then permanently attached to the tooth.

There will be some amount of pain after the procedure, but that should go away once the infection has cleared. Pain medication will help during this time.

Unfortunately, sometimes the infection is not completely removed during a root canal. When this happens it’s necessary to repeat the procedure. Other issues can also cause reinfection. Besides repeating the treatment steps, extra time and effort is needed because all of the restorative work must first be removed. This makes the procedure more expensive and time-consuming the second time around, but it must happen or the patient risks losing the tooth permanently.

Teeth Whitening: Do it the Professional Way

Teeth Whitening: Do it the Professional Way

There is a popular saying that goes like, “Smile and the world smiles with you.” There is no doubt that a beautiful smile radiates infectiously to others. Let us put an emphasis on the word beautiful. How does one possess a beautiful smile? Of course you have to agree that heredity cannot be singled out. Lifestyle and attitude also play part in the maintenance or even having a sweet smile.

But what if you can not incorporate a do-it-yourself way to your busy lifestyle so as to have a smile makeover transform your simple smile into a rather healthy and “infectious” one? In this case, a professional treatment by a dentist might be the best remedy.

The following article provides an appraisal of a professional teeth whitening system usually provided and conducted by dentists.

Professional teeth whitening is a technique by which whitening compounds that are peroxide based are applied to teeth by dentists within their dental office. Laser teeth whitening is the common practice of dentist to whiten teeth stained by nicotine, food, or even liquids.

Peroxide-based whitening compounds usually depend on two factors:

1. The concentration of peroxide in a whitening compound
2. The amount of time a whitener is put in contact in the surface of the teeth

Laser teeth whitening utilize a higher concentration of whitener for a shorter period of time, say for hours or for few appointments.

The whitening compounds and associated equipment (bleaching light or laser) used by dentists are normally purchased from a manufacturer as a franchise, system, or simply as a kit. In fact, many manufacturers have provided national campaigns about their whitening products and equipment, and dentists play a vital part in the promotion of a manufacturer’s product because they are actually using the product to their patients.

Below is a list of some professional whitening products dentists and professionals choose. (The kind of bleaching laser or light is enclosed in parentheses.)

1. BriteSmile (gas plasma light/light emitting diode)
2. LaserSmile (a Biolase laser)
3. LumaArch (halogen light)
4. Rembrandt Sapphire (plasma arc light)
5. Zoom! (metal halide light)

Each of these whitening systems has its own degree of effectiveness. However, we can summarize three standard steps when using these types of products.

1. The dentist will compare the tooth shade of the patient with a tooth shade guide.
Surface stain and tartar are removed before determining the tooth shade. A dentist needs to document a pre-treatment and a post-treatment tooth shade to assess the effectiveness of the whitening treatment system applied. A dentist may make use of variously shaded tooth-shaped porcelain tabs and compare them to a patient’s set of teeth and each match is documented. Some dentists even take pictures of a patient’s teeth before and after the treatment.

Flour of pumice is used to polish each tooth to ensure that stains are completely removed.

2. The dentist will isolate teeth being whitened.

Bleaching agents, normally peroxide-based, can irritate or even damage delicate tissues within and inside mouth of patients. To protect these tissues, dentist use dental dam barriers.

Thin sheet of latex punched with a hole for each tooth and dental gels painted around each tooth are used to protect teeth being treated. When the latter is used, a cheek retractor, cotton rolls and gauze are used to make sure that the patient’s lips and cheeks are held out of the way. Afterwards, these items are simply peeled off.

3. Bib covering and eye protection are placed on the patient.

Unexpected things can happen. Bibs are worn by patients to protect their skin against the caustic nature of these bleaching agents.

Eye protection is also placed to ensure that whiteners will not irritate even the eyes of the patients. Moreover, it is a common knowledge that an intense bleaching light or a laser used to activate the components of bleaching compounds could cause eye damage.

What else can I do if I have undergone professional whitening?

To get rid off typical stains—the coffee and cigarette variety—can be washed away alternately with professional whitening systems. Here are some additional tips:

Munch some apple and drink water afterwards.

Brush after every meal to have a less chance of keeping stains on your teeth. Brush gently but effectively by using a dentist-approved toothpaste and toothbrush. Practice the correct ways of brushing.

Researches on dentistry note that an electric toothbrush removes a plaque percentage that is about 98.2 percent.

Gargle with a mouthwash that has an antibacterial action. This practice will surely will reduce stain-catching plaque.

Don’t depend on quick-fix remedies like using super-whitening tooth polishes because these also make the enamel of teeth thinner. And as enamel gets thinner, more of the dentin will show off making your teeth appear as heavily stained.

To put it simply, here are some reasons why or why not choose professional whitening systems.

1. The effect can be seen even instantly.

2. The whitening can be completed in just a few appointments (possibly even just one).

3. Professional teeth whitening remedies cost more than do-it-yourself teeth whitening items.

Hope this article brightens up your smile!