Don't Skip Dental Appointments

If you have been skipping your regular dental appointments because you think that everything is okay, think again.

The American Dental Association explains that people who avoid the dentist until something happens could be in for a serious wake up call. That small cavity you have could turn into something bigger requiring root canal therapy and a dental crown.

You may not have a toothache, but you could have tooth decay and not even know it. Your dentist is the only person who can identify the problems as soon as they occur saving you both time and money.

If you left it too late and do need root canal therapy it is obvious that the tooth is infected or badly decayed. The procedure involves removing the diseased or dead tooth pulp, which is located inside your tooth. The pulp is actually nerves, tissue and blood vessels that can die if you have a cavity.

During your root canal, your dentist will remove the pulp before cleaning the roots of the tooth. Once cleaned, your dentist will seal the tooth before placing a dental crown to protect the repaired tooth.

Although root canals have the reputation of being quite painful, most patients will tell you that the real pain occurred before the dental appointment.

So what is Pulp?

The pulp chamber is located inside your tooth. The nerves in your teeth are within the legs or roots of your tooth. The root canal travels from the bottom of your tooth’s root into your pulp chamber that also contains connective tissue and blood vessels that nourish your tooth.

Your dentist explains that the nerve in a tooth is not that important when it comes to the function and health of your tooth once it has erupted through your gums. The absence or presence of the nerve does not affect function.

Why take it out?

If the pulp or nerve tissue has been damaged, bacteria will start breaking it down. Decay and bacteria will eventually cause an abscessed tooth or an infection, which will require root canal therapy.

You don’t have to resort to root canal therapy if you schedule regular appointments with your dentist. Preventive care can help you prevent unnecessary dental procedures. Call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Make a Dental Checkup part of Your New Year's Resolution

If you have a habit of making New Year’s resolutions, be sure that you put healthier teeth and gums on your list. Your teeth and gums are the gateway to the rest of your body, and if you haven’t had a dental checkup for a while, make an appointment today.

Seeing your dentist twice a year is imperative if you want to keep tooth decay and gum disease in check. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular dental appointments are just as important as brushing twice and flossing once a day when it comes to preventive dental care.

During your comprehensive dental examination, your dentist, or dental hygienist, will clean your teeth while evaluating your gums looking for bone loss, swelling or inflammation and redness. Your dentist may also use a probe to gently poke your gums. If bleeding is present, your dentist may recommend scaling and planing or refer you to a specialist, also known as a periodontist.

Other evaluations that will be included during your dental examination include a check of your mouth, neck and face for abnormalities. Your dentist will also evaluate your risk for tooth decay and other oral health issues. X-rays will also be taken so that your dentist can check for problems with dental restorations, such as cavities underneath existing fillings and crowns and other problems that cannot be seen during a visual dental examination.  

Your dentist will talk to you about your oral hygiene habits and your diet. What you eat and drink is just as important as brushing and flossing when it comes to your teeth and gums. If signs of gum disease are present, your dentist may also show you how to brush and floss properly. During this part of your comprehensive dental examination, your dentist will ask about any medications that you may be taking. Smoking, tooth loss consequences, and the benefits of dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and implants will also be discussed.

Take stock of your health this year and include a comprehensive dental examination on your New Year’s resolution list. 

There is No Need to Fear Root Canal Therapy

It used to be when the words, “Root Canal,” were mentioned people would either grimace in pain, run for the hills, or consider pulling the offending tooth rather than deal with a Root Canal, but thanks to modern dentistry and Dental Care of Corona, you can have your deep cavity or cracked filling repaired with painless Root Canal therapy.

According to Wikipedia, a Root Canal is used to save and repair a tooth that has become infected or is badly decayed. Root Canals are also used to repair broken teeth or restore old fillings that are too large to refill.

During your Root Canal, your dentist will remove the pulp and the nerve located within your tooth before cleaning and sealing the tooth. Without Root Canal therapy, the tissue that surrounds your tooth or teeth will eventually become infected increasing your risk of an abscess.

Your dentist will tell you that the nerve in your tooth is not important to the health or function of the tooth after the tooth has erupted. The only function of the nerve is sensory providing you the sensation of cold or hot. If you have a Root Canal, your tooth will not be affected by daily actions such as eating, drinking, flossing, or brushing.

The soft tissue on the inside of your tooth, also called pulp, is protected by dentin. Above your gumline, the dentin is protected by enamel. Your dentin is protected below your gumline by cementum. When bacteria occur in your mouth causing decay, the pulp in your tooth becomes exposed as well resulting in infection, inflammation and eventual pulp death or necrosis. Without treatment, the diseased portion of the tooth could reach the bone causing serious problems.

Having a Root Canal also allows you to save an infected tooth. A pulled tooth could result in a shift of your adjoining teeth making chewing, biting and even speaking more difficult. Of course, you could have the tooth replaced, but there is no artificial substitute that is as good as your natural tooth.

If you suspect you may need a Root Canal, do not put it off any longer and schedule an appointment with your Dentist who can determine the next course of action. Call today.