More than Teeth and Gums

Your mouth is more than teeth, making good oral hygiene habits even more important. Your mouth is made up of the lower and upper jaw, oral mucosa, gums, salivary glands, the tongue, the frenulum, and the uvula. All of these play a very important role in your overall dental health.

Upper/Lower Jaw

Your jaws are what give your mouth structure and your face shape. You need both to speak and chew. Humans have two bones in the upper jaw that are fused together. Your upper jaw is also fused to your skull. The lower jawbone is separate from your skull as it enables your jaw to move both up and down when you talk and eat.

Oral Mucosa

Open your mouth and you will see that everything, besides your teeth, is covered with oral mucosa. This protective liner is a mucous membrane that is like the mucous membranes in your inner ears and nostrils. The mucosa plays an important role when it comes to maintaining your overall and oral health. Your oral mucosa contains keratin, which is also found in your hair and fingernails making it resistant to injury.

Gums

The pinkish tissue surrounding your teeth is known as your gums. Covered by oral mucosa, your gums play a crucial role when it comes to your overall health as recent studies have indicated that your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. Healthy gums cover the roots of your teeth, are firm, and will not bleed when you brush and floss. Gingivitis and the more serious periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and other problems such as heart disease and stroke.

Salivary Glands

There are three sets of salivary glands in your neck and mouth. The submandibular, the parotid, and the sublingual glands. All of these glands produce saliva that will help break down the food you consume. Saliva is vital to oral health as it protects your gums and your teeth by rinsing away the bacteria and the plaque. Saliva also counteracts with the acidic foods that will wear down the enamel on your teeth.

Tongue

Your tongue is a very powerful muscle that is covered in a special type of mucosal tissue. That tissue also contains your taste buds. Your dentist explains that your tongue is vital to your oral health as it aids in digestion. Your tongue moves food to the teeth, and when it has been chewed is swallowed thanks to the tongue moving it to the back of your throat before heading to the esophagus.

Uvula

The tissue that hangs at the back of the throat is called the uvula. Composed of glandular and connective tissue and muscle fibers it has had scientists baffled about what it really does and while all of the functions are not totally understood, it does seem to play a role in talking and keeping your mouth moist.

Frenulum

The flap of oral mucosa, the frenulum, connects the floor of your mouth to your tongue and allows it to do its job by moving your tongue. If a baby is born with a short frenulum, or one that isn’t elastic enough, he or she will have trouble breastfeeding. A short frenulum can also affect your child’s speech. 

You Can Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

If your baby or toddler has a habit of falling asleep with a baby bottle in his or her mouth baby bottle tooth decay could happen, especially if the bottle is filled with juice, soda, formula, or milk. Baby teeth are just as important as adult teeth and need to be looked after just as carefully.

According to The American Dental Association, baby bottle tooth decay occurs when natural sugars or sweetened liquids cling to a baby or toddlers teeth for long periods. Mouth bacteria thrive on sugar converting it to acid that will attack teeth.

Children who fall asleep with a bottle during naptime or at night or kids who have their pacifiers dipped in syrup or sugar are at risk when it comes to baby bottle decay. Giving babies sugary drinks at bedtime is especially risky because saliva flow is reduced during sleep.

Although baby bottle tooth decay usually occurs in front teeth, other baby teeth could also be affected.

Baby teeth may be temporary, but they are just as important. Baby teeth help your children speak, chew, and smile. Baby teeth also act as a placeholder for adult or permanent teeth. If baby bottle tooth decay isn’t taken care of, infection and pain may result. If the decay is too bad, the teeth may have to go.

If teeth are infected or even lost due to baby bottle decay, your baby could develop bad eating habits, crooked teeth, and speech problems and even damaged permanent teeth. With that being said, there are some things you can do to help prevent baby bottle tooth decay.

• Wipe your baby’s gums with a washcloth after feeding
• Start brushing your baby or toddlers teeth without toothpaste when the first tooth erupts
• Massage and clean gums that don’t have teeth
• Floss once your baby’s teeth have all come in
• Make sure that your baby or toddler is getting enough fluoride
• Schedule regular checkups with your dentist by your baby’s first birthday
• Ask your dentist about dental sealants which can help prevent cavities 

If you would like more information about baby bottle tooth decay, talk to your dentist today. 

CEREC® for Dental Restorations is Amazing

CEREC® is an amazing cosmetic dental restoration procedure that can give you a new smile in as little as one dental appointment.

With CEREC® you can replace your old dental crowns, have dental veneers, inlays or inlays, or replace your silver amalgam fillings, CEREC® is also being used for dental implants.

If you have a mouth full of metal that you would like to get rid of, contact your CEREC® certified dentist who can examine your teeth and gums to determine what CEREC® restorations would be best for you.

CEREC® uses CAD/CAM software that enables your dentist to take 3D digital pictures of the teeth that are to be restored. Once the pictures have been taken, they are sent to the milling machine. The milling machine is also located in your dentist’s office eliminating the wait time that you would normally have if your impressions were sent off to a dental lab. CEREC® also eliminates the need for uncomfortable and messy impression trays.

The block of porcelain ceramic that are used for CEREC® come in a variety of hues so that your dentist can match the color of your new restorations to your natural teeth. The materials used by CEREC® match the natural composition of your tooth’s structure so that when you eat or drink hot or cold foods, the restoration, right along with the tooth, expand equally. This means your tooth will not crack or break as easily as other types of dental restorations.

One of the best things about CEREC® veneers and CEREC® crowns is that you do not need temporaries as everything is done on site in a single dental appointment. If you are having more than one restoration with CEREC®, your dentist may recommend additional CEREC® appointments.

Because the CEREC® material is bonded directly to your teeth, your dentist is able to save as much of your healthy tooth as possible giving you a CEREC® dental restoration that actually strengthens your natural tooth.

If you would like more information, regarding CEREC® Restorations call and talk to a certified CEREC® dentist today. 

Do You Have Dry Mouth?

If you suffer from Dry Mouth, you know it's much more than a thirsty feeling. When you have Dry Mouth, your salivary glands make very little, if any saliva. If you don’t have any saliva, it makes it hard to eat, taste, and digest food and drink. Saliva also flushes the food particles out of your teeth reducing the bacteria and acid that can cause tooth decay.

The Feeling

The corners of your mouth will dry out because of a lack of saliva. If you have Dry Mouth, your lips can also crack. Sores may also form around your mouth with your tongue feeling dry and rough. Severe cases of Dry Mouth can also make it difficult to talk or swallow.

It's Awkward

Because you don’t have enough saliva to rinse the food and debris from your teeth and gums, you may have chronic bad breath. People with Dry Mouth who wear lipstick may also have to constantly wipe it off their teeth because there is no saliva to get the job done. If you are hoarse or have a tickly throat, you could have Dry Mouth.

Medications

There are over 400 different types of over the counter and prescription drugs that can cause Dry Mouth. Prescription drugs that you take for anxiety, stress or to sleep at night, could be causing your Dry Mouth. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or depression the drugs that you are taking could be to blame. Neck and head radiation and chemotherapy can also cause Dry Mouth.

Nerve Damage

If you have had a neck or head injury, or surgery, you could have Dry Mouth as some of the nerves that carry the messages from your brain to your salivary glands could be damaged. Those damaged nerves do not have the ability to communicate with your salivary glands.

Other Conditions

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that could be to blame for your Dry Mouth. The medical condition causes your white blood cells to attack the salivary and tear glands. People who have HIV or diabetes can also develop Dry Mouth.

Tobacco Use

If you smoke pipes, cigars, cigarettes or a Hookah pipe, you are more susceptible to Dry Mouth than people who do not use tobacco. Even chewing tobacco can cause Dry Mouth.

Brush and Floss

Your dentist recommends that you brush twice and floss once each day and use an American Dental Association recommended mouth rinse. If you can’t brush after you eat, rinse your mouth, and drink water throughout the day.

If you have Dry Mouth or think you may have developed it, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist who may be able to help with your chronic Dry Mouth. Call or click today. 

Give Your Kids a Healthy Mouth

Although it may surprise you, The American Dental Association advises parents to schedule the first dental appointment for their son or daughter at 12 months. However, there are some very good reasons why your one-year-old toddler needs to see the dentist.

Around the age of one, your children’s teeth will begin to erupt. Once those teeth have made their appearance, it is time to have them checked out by your dentist.

One of the first things that your child’s dentist will do is check out and clean the young teeth before applying fluoride. Fluoride is the best defense when it comes to keeping your child’s teeth healthy.

When you take your child to the dentist at a very young age it will help he or she get used to the office. Having a family dentist who sees your kids twice a year will help them overcome any fear of the dentist that they may have.

During your child’s first visit to the dentist’s office, you may want to ask a team member from the dental office for a tour. Once a child is comfortable in their surroundings, they are less likely to suffer from dental anxiety.

Visiting the dentist also helps you enlist a welcome hand from other adults when it comes to good oral health habits. Starting dental checkups early in life may also mean that your child will be less likely to need cosmetic dental procedures, such as dental implants or less likely to wear braces.

During your checkup, your dentist may also give your child instructions on how to brush and floss. It’s important that you make brushing and flossing fun so that it becomes a habit that your kids will actually enjoy.

If you would like more information regarding your child’s first checkup with the dentist, call or click and make an appointment today. 

Take Care of Dental Emergencies Immediately

Dental emergencies happen, and if you need to see a dentist as quickly as possible, call the team from Dental Care of Corona. With Dental Care of Corona, your emergency visit is free. Regardless of the dental emergency, your dental emergency exam and your dental emergency x-rays are free of charge. Your dentist will let you know what the problem is and how much it will cost before any repairs are made. All you have to do is pay for the dental repair should you decide to go ahead with it.

If you have a dental emergency, you can be assured that you will get in to see the dentist when you need to. Unlike other dentists in Corona, Dental Care of Corona always has openings that are reserved for dental emergencies during normal business hours. That means that every day there will be appointments set aside for emergencies.

Regardless of the dental emergency, Dental Care of Corona will make sure that a dentist sees you as quickly as possible. If a dental emergency isn’t taken care of right away, it could make the problem worse, and more costly.

So just what is a dental emergency? A dental emergency could be a cracked or chipped tooth or a lost filling. If you or someone in the family wears braces and has suffered a blow to the mouth it is imperative that you see your dentist as quickly as possible as it could have far reaching consequences. Other dental emergencies include, but are not limited to, broken teeth, a knocked out tooth or problems with crowns and bridges.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, it is vital that you call Dental Care of Corona as quickly as possible. Dentists are standing by to make sure that you are taken care of right away. Call or click and schedule your dental emergency appointment now. 

A Smile Can Boost Your Confidence

Your smile is what people notice when they first meet you, but if yours is less than appealing, it may be time to consider a consultation with a qualified cosmetic dentist.

According to the American Dental Association, your smile says a lot about you. It tells the world that you are happy, confident, and appealing. In fact, recent research indicates that a smiling face shows the world that you are straightforward and sincere.

If you want to attend more social events, boost your business profile, or add some romance to your life, your smile could be the key.

Past President of the American Academy of Periodontology, Pamela McClain DDS explains that, “When someone has a big smile it shows they’re willing to open up and expose a part of themselves.” Dr. McClain also goes on to explain, “Over the long term, smiling can benefit your health, perception at work, social life and your romantic status,”

People who smile project positive outlooks and are generally more flexible and open. People who smile a lot cope better when it comes to life’s challenges than people who don’t smile and appear withdrawn.

A study that occurred over a thirty-year period followed a small group of women who displayed happy smiles in college yearbook pictures. Those same women went on to have strong and happy marriages, were more confident, and had a greater sense of well-being. In that same study, strangers looked at the same pictures and reported their thoughts about each woman’s personality. The smiling women were thought to be more competent and positive than the ones who did not smile.

Smiling really can make a difference in your life, and if you would like to make changes to improve your well-being why not schedule a no obligation consultation with a good cosmetic dentist who can determine what cosmetic dental procedures would be best for your particular needs. Call of click today.