How dentures can replace your smile

If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile.

Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health.

Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll also find it harder to eat and speak – things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.

There are various types of complete dentures.

A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months.

An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

And even if you wear full dentures, it’s important to visit your dentist regularly to maintain your overall oral health and get early warning of serious issues such as oral cancer.

Tooth Extraction: When and Why it's Necessary

Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that involves removing a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. In this blog, we will discuss when and why tooth extraction may be necessary.

When is tooth extraction necessary?

1. Severe decay or damage: If a tooth has been severely damaged or decayed, it may be necessary to remove it to prevent further damage to the surrounding teeth and gums.

2. Crowding: If there is not enough space in the mouth for all of the teeth to properly align, a tooth may need to be removed to create more space.

3. Infection or abscess: If a tooth is infected or abscessed, it may need to be extracted to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the body.

4. Gum disease: In cases of advanced gum disease, tooth extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the surrounding teeth and gums.

5. Wisdom teeth: Many people have their wisdom teeth removed because they can cause crowding, infection, and other dental problems.

Why is tooth extraction important?

Tooth extraction is important because it can prevent further damage to the surrounding teeth and gums, and protect your overall dental health. If a damaged or infected tooth is left untreated, it can lead to more serious dental problems and even impact your overall health.

Recovery from tooth extraction involves following your dentist's instructions for caring for the extraction site, including avoiding certain foods and activities and maintaining good oral hygiene. With proper care, most people can return to their normal activities within a few days after the procedure.

Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that may be necessary in cases of severe decay or damage, crowding, infection or abscess, gum disease, or wisdom teeth. It is important because it can prevent further damage to the surrounding teeth and gums, and protect your overall dental health. If you think you may need a tooth extraction, talk to your dentist about your options and what to expect.

How cosmetic dentistry can change your smile – and your life

Modern cosmetic dentistry has created many opportunities that did not exist before for people to improve their appearance and change the way they feel about themselves.

Although cosmetic dentistry really did not exist a few yaears ago, it now attracts interest from a wide range of people.

There are few people who don’t want to improve their appearance by making their teeth straighter and whiter so that they look better when they smile.

New technology and procedures have created many more opportunities for dentists to help patients look better.

One of the most important opportunities for doing this is porcelain veneers.

These are custom-made wafers that the dentist places over the front of the teeth to repair damage and make them look better.

They can overcome many cosmetic dental problems such as whitening stained or discolored teeth, closing gaps between teeth or correcting a crooked smile without the need for braces.

They can also cover up chips and imperfections so that the smile looks much better.

Another important cosmetic trend is the increased use of white fillings.

White fillings now are more lifelike than ever and they last longer than previously.

They have become the material of choice for many dentists as they blend in with teeth and look better.

If you feel your smile is less than perfect, talk to your dentist about how it could be better.

How Dental Implants Can Improve Your Smile and Boost Your Confidence

Missing teeth can have a significant impact on your self-esteem and confidence, affecting how you interact with others and how you feel about yourself. Fortunately, dental implants can provide a solution to restore your smile and boost your confidence.

Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. They are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants are anchored in your jawbone, which provides stability and prevents them from shifting or slipping like dentures.

In addition to their functional benefits, dental implants can also improve your smile. They can fill in gaps in your smile, correct misaligned teeth, and enhance the overall appearance of your teeth. They are custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your existing teeth, providing a seamless and natural-looking result.

Furthermore, dental implants can have a positive impact on your oral health. They help to preserve the bone in your jaw, which can prevent further tooth loss and maintain the structure of your face. Additionally, they are easy to care for with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.

If you're unhappy with your smile due to missing teeth, dental implants may be the solution you're looking for. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon to learn more about the benefits of dental implants and how they can help you achieve a beautiful, confident smile.

How dentistry has developed over the last 300 years

When you visit a modern dental surgery, it’s hard to imagine the challenges of dental treatment without all the latest technology.

Yet specialists have been taking care of people’s teeth for thousands of years.

Here are some of the key developments over the last 300 years.

1723: French surgeon Pierre Fauchard – credited as being the father of modern dentistry – publishes the first book to describe a comprehensive system for the practice of dentistry.

1760: John Baker, the earliest medically-trained dentist to practice in America, immigrates from England and sets up practice.

1790: John Greenwood adapts his mother’s foot treadle spinning wheel to rotate a drill.

1790: Josiah Flagg, a prominent American dentist, constructs the first chair made specifically for dental patients.

1832: James Snell invents the first reclining dental chair.

1841: Alabama enacts the first dental practice act, regulating dentistry in the United States.

1844: Horace Wells, a Connecticut dentist, discovers that nitrous oxide can be used as an anesthesia and successfully uses it to conduct several extractions in his private practice.

1880s: The collapsible metal tube revolutionizes toothpaste manufacturing and marketing.

1890: Willoughby Miller notes the microbial basis of dental decay in a book which started a world-wide movement to promote regular toothbrushing and flossing.

1896: New Orleans dentist C. Edmond Kells takes the first dental x-ray of a living person in the U.S.

1938: The nylon toothbrush, the first made with synthetic bristles, appears on the market.

1945: The water fluoridation era begins when the cities of Newburgh, New York, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, add sodium fluoride to their public water systems.

1950s: The first fluoride toothpastes are marketed.

1960: The first commercial electric toothbrush, developed in Switzerland after World War II, is introduced in the United States. A cordless, rechargeable model follows in 1961.

What dentists are doing to improve services for older adults

As people are living longer and enjoying good health for many years, dentists are increasingly offering improved services to recognize the special needs of older adults.

This growing segment of the population is wearing fewer dentures and they are keeping their natural teeth longer. They are also concerned to maintain good health and a great smile for many years.

However, patients in this group sometimes require special consideration because reduced mobility and dexterity may make daily oral hygiene difficult.

And certain medical conditions and impairment may make them more anxious when visiting the dentist.

For example, problems with vision or hearing loss may cause worry. Always let the dentist and staff know if you have any concerns so that they can adjust their treatment and their pace to meet your needs.

Older patients can sometimes put up with problems such as toothaches, bleeding gums and clicking dentures because they are not aware of the wide range of treatments and techniques now available.

Dentists are increasingly sensitive to the special needs of and the importance of dental health in the older patient.

As many older patients are more health conscious than ever before, regular visits to the dentist ensure their oral health is an important part of their overall health.

How to take care of your teeth with braces

 Braces are orthodontic apparatus used to help fix crooked and crowded teeth.

While modern braces can be comfortable and inconspicuous, you may have to take extra steps to care for your teeth when wearing them.

It’s important that you continue good oral hygiene practices while wearing braces.

You need to continue brushing regularly, following the approach suggested by your dentist, as well as flossing daily and making regular visits to the dentist.

People with braces should stick to a balanced diet and limit the number of snacks between meals.

Your dentist may suggest that you avoid certain foods that could interfere with braces or accidentally bend the wires. This can include nuts, popcorn, hard candy, ice and sticky foods such as chewing gum or caramel.

You can still continue to enjoy sports and other activities but a protective mouth guard is often recommended to reduce the risk of injury to the mouth or jaw. Your dentist will suggest an appropriate mouth guard when the braces are in place.

Braces can make a big difference to your smile and your future dental health. Modern technology and following good practices means you should be able to wear them with comfort and confidence.