What you should know about Pulp Disease

Although a number of things, including a broken tooth or an injury to your mouth, can cause pulp disease, the American Dental Association explains that pulp disease is usually a result of poor oral hygiene.

Brushing twice and flossing once each day along with a healthy diet and regular checkups with your dentist can help prevent pulp disease. If you have dental caries, it can affect the pulp in the soft center of your tooth or teeth. Your pulp is loaded with blood vessels, nerves and delicate tissue, that when disturbed, could become diseased. Head to your dentist as quickly as possible, as those cavities could lead to missing teeth.

Your dentist explains that there are several different types of pulp disease.

Reversible pulpitis is a mild inflammation in the center of your tooth. Symptoms usually include pain when you eat or drink, or when your teeth are exposed to hot, cold or something sweet. Without treatment, your pulpitis could cause an abscess, which is a collection of pus and bacteria. Improve your oral health habits to help offset reversible pulptitis and see your dentist as quickly as possible as you may need a dental filling if you break or crack a tooth.

Irreversible pulpitis is actually an inflammation so severe in the center of your tooth that there is no cure. In other words, you may need root canal therapy. If your root canal doesn’t help, your dentist may have to extract your tooth.

Dental pulp stones also known as dental pulp calcification are a condition that hardens your pulp tissue causing extreme pain and hypersensitivity. If you have dental pulp stones, your dental nerves are becoming compressed. Root canals are usually the only answer when it comes to dental stones as the hardened tissue is cleared away during the root canal treatment.

One of the most painful pulp diseases occurs when the pulp in your teeth become exposed. Dental pulp exposure is a condition that occurs when there has been damage done to the enamel or external covering of your tooth. If you have a crack or cavity in your tooth, your pulp becomes exposed making it easy for food particles and bacteria to make their way into the center of your tooth. Pain is usually the first and most noticeable symptom. You may also have a mild infection that if left untreated, could result in a serious abscess. Depending on how exposed your pulp is, a root canal may help, otherwise you may need to have your tooth pulled.

If you are experiencing sensitivity, sudden or intense pain in your mouth, or have an infection, you could be suffering from pulp disease. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today for more information.

Gum Disease Can Be Reversed with Good Oral Hygiene

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

According to Web MD, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and affects billions of people all over the United States and around the world.

Gingivitis is the least severe form of gum disease. Gingivitis will cause your gums to bleed, swell, and become red. During this stage, you will have little if any discomfort. Gingivitis is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and is reversible with a deep cleaning, such as Root Planing and Scaling along with good oral hygiene.

Some contributing factors when it comes to gingivitis include smoking, diabetes, genetic predisposition, aging, systemic diseases, poor nutrition and stress. Hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, puberty, HIV infection, substance abuse, and pregnancy can also contribute to Gingivitis.

If left untreated, Gingivitis can advance to the more serious periodontal disease. Also known as periodontitis, it is caused by plaque spreading below your gum line. The toxins that are produced by bacteria will irritate your gums causing the bone and tissues that support your teeth to break down. When the gums become separated from your teeth, pockets will begin to form allowing for infection. According to your dentist, once the disease begins to progress those spaces, or pockets, will get deeper eventually destroying bone and gum tissue.

Your dentist explains that there are several types of periodontal disease with the most common being Aggressive Periodontal Disease, Chronic Periodontitis, Periodontitis manifested by systemic disease and Necrotizing Periodontitis caused by an infection of the periodontal ligament, the alveolar bone and gingival tissues.

Aggressive Periodontal Disease occurs when you are clinically healthy, but have not been practicing good oral hygiene habits including a healthy diet and regular checkups with your dentist.

Chronic Periodontitis is characterized by gap recession of the gingival tissue. Although it can happen at any age, Chronic Periodontitis is most prevalent in adults.

Periodontitis manifested by systemic disease usually starts at an early age. Systemic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory disease, and heart disease have all been associated with Periodontitis manifested by systemic disease.

Lesions that appear because of Necrotizing Periodontitis are usually observed in people who suffer from malnutrition, have an HIV infection or an immunosuppressant.

If you have Gingivitis or Periodontal Disease symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible. Remember, it’s never too late. Gum disease can be reversed as long as you seek professional help. 

Restorative Dentistry Can Help You Keep Your Teeth

Thanks to medical and dietary advances, people live longer. However, your teeth and gums may not fare as well, and that is where your dentist comes in.

Restorative Dentistry is used for people who were perhaps not as diligent as they could be with regards to oral hygiene.

Your teeth and gums age just like you do and that means it is imperative that you step it up when it comes to dental checkups, especially if you have had dental restorations in the past and are bragging about your 12 year old fillings.  

Your teeth are strong, but can also break, chip or become infected. Some teeth may even fall out especially if you have periodontal disease.

Tooth decay has declined in the past few years thanks to modern 21^st century dental technology, better products and fluoridated water. Patient awareness, when it comes to Preventive Dentistry, is another reason that people are keeping their teeth for the rest of their lives.

Dental Care of Corona are the specialists when it comes to Dental Restorations and Restorative Dentistry and can truly turn your frown upside down.

There are several options when it comes to Dental Restorations. That gap in-between your front teeth can be fixed with Dental Bonding, Dental Veneers while that missing tooth, or teeth can be replaced with Dental Implants. Tooth colored dental Crowns can be used to replace your gold colored crowns while tooth colored resin is used to replace your silver amalgam fillings.

Restorative Dentistry is good for your teeth and gums, but also your self-confidence. According to Web MD, a healthy smile goes a long way when it comes to making an impression.

Straight teeth are not only necessary for a beautiful smile, but can also help your bite. Talk to Corona Dental Care about traditional braces or Invisalign, which is an amazing new product that can straighten your teeth without wires and brackets.

Dental Restorations can change the way you look and feel. Schedule an appointment with Corona Dental Care today and keep your teeth for as long as you live. 

Healthy Teeth for the Rest of Your Life

Your dentist explains that keeping your mouth healthy throughout your entire life doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you follow good oral hygiene habits and know what to expect at any age.

Mothers who are expecting can give their kids a healthy start by taking calcium supplements and eating healthy foods. According to the American Dental Association, folic acid supplements also help to decrease the risk of your child being born with a cleft palate or cleft lip. Once your baby is born, wipe the gums using a damp and soft cloth. Doing so after feeding helps prevent bacteria build up. Your child’s teeth usually emerge around six months. Once this occurs brush the baby’s teeth using a baby tooth brush twice a day. Begin taking your baby to the dentist when they are about 12 months old. Other important habits to establish throughout childhood include a diet full of fresh fruits and veggies and calcium rich foods such as kale and cheese to help protect the tooth’s enamel.

According to the ADA, an astounding one third of American adults have tooth decay. It is imperative that you see your dentist twice a year, as early detection is vital. Tooth decay can be painless, especially during the early stages, and can only be detected during a dental checkup. Gum disease, which can lead to the periodontal disease, can cause bone loss and should be taken care of as quickly as possible. If your gums bleed and are red or swollen, schedule an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible. If you have diabetes, suffer from epilepsy, or have high blood pressure, you may need to see your dentist more often. If you drink bottled water, ask your dentist about fluoride supplements as fluoride can help strengthen your teeth.

Older adults need to pay close attention to their teeth and gums and see the dentist on a regular basis for oral cancer screenings. Older adults, especially those who drink alcohol on a regular basis or smoke, have an increased risk of oral and throat cancer. Older adults are also more susceptible to dry mouth thanks to certain medications that could affect oral health. If you wear dentures schedule regular appointments with your dentist so they can be checked periodically for fit.

These days’ people are living longer, but that all starts with good oral hygiene, which includes brushing twice and flossing once each day. 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. 

How to Cope with a Dental Emergency

Even if you had thought you had taken care of everything and are ready for your big ugly Sweater Christmas party, the thought of a broken veneer probably hadn’t even crossed your path. Unfortunately, things quickly changed when you decided to open the champagne with your teeth.

Accidents are part of life and invariably happen at the most inopportune times. A lost filling cracked tooth or other dental emergency should be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Putting a piece of cotton over that old silver amalgam filling that you lost when you were having dinner should just be a quick fix until you get to the dentist.

According to the American Dental Association, a broken bridge, or any other dental emergency can cause serious problems. Ignoring a dental issue will increase your risk requiring more expensive and extensive therapy later.  

If you’ve got a toothache, skip the painkillers, including aspirin and get to the dentist. If you are swollen, grab a cold compress and place it on your cheek or mouth. Rinse your mouth and floss in order to remove any food particles.

Make sure you save all of the pieces if you break or chip a tooth. Rinse your mouth and be careful looking for remnants of the tooth. If you’re bleeding, apply gauze until the bleeding stops. Place a cold compress on the outside of your mouth, lip, or cheek near the chipped or broken tooth to help reduce swelling and relieve any pain.

If you have partially dislodged or knocked out your tooth this is a dental emergency and you need to call your dentist right away. If it has been partially dislodged, take Advil or Tylenol to help with the pain and apply a cold compress on the outside of your mouth. If you have knocked it out, gently rinse being careful not to remove or wash away attached tissue fragments. If you can, put the tooth back without forcing it into place. If this isn’t possible, place the tooth in a container of water with a pinch of salt, or milk without the salt. See your dentist immediately as chances are your tooth can be saved.

Take your time during the holidays and be sure and brush, floss and see your dentist as needed, especially if you are experiencing a dental emergency. 

Whiten Your Teeth for the Holidays

The holidays are here and if you have been neglecting your teeth and gums, there has never been a better time to schedule an appointment for a checkup with your dentist.

During the festive season most people have their hands full with planning, shopping and entertaining, and if your smile is less than bright, you may want to consider tooth whitening.

Your pearly whites are the first thing people notice when they see you and if you greet folks with a closed mouth smile, see your dentist today.

Of course, you can purchase over the counter tooth whitening products such as toothpastes, gels, mouthwashes and whitening strips, but most will not get your teeth white before Christmas and New Year. Your dentist has tooth whitening products that can get your teeth white and bright just in time to show them off at your next holiday party.

According to Web MD, tooth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world with people spending billions of dollars each year for a whiter, brighter smile.

Teeth that are stained can benefit from tooth whitening, but if you have dental restorations such as tooth colored fillings, stains from root canals, crowns or bridges, tooth whitening products will not work.

If you do have dental restorations, talk to your dentist about dental bonding with CEREC. This quick cosmetic dental procedure can repair chips and cracks and even fill in that gap between your front teeth.

Dental bonding is a less expensive alternative to veneers and looks just like your natural teeth. Dental bonding will not be as strong as porcelain veneers, but if you want a quick fix to repair previous dental restoration procedures, dental bonding could be the answer.

When it comes to a beautiful smile for the holidays, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can help you come up with a plan to turn your frown upside down.