Tag Archives: Oral Care

Correct Your Improper Bite before It Causes Major Damages

Woman Grinding Her Teeth

An improper bite, which can mean having misaligned teeth due to crookedness, overbite, cross bite, open bite, or under bite, can make your smile less appealing. However, it deals more damage than what you most likely know.

From attrition to teeth decay to gum disease to pain, there are many complications associated with a bad bite. See a licensed and qualified Station Road dentist as soon as you can, to prevent the following complications from developing.

Loss of Tooth Surface

Teeth naturally wear down as you age. It becomes abnormal when the attrition – the term referring to the loss of tooth surface – becomes so severe it has worn down the enamel down to the dentin. Take note that while the enamel of the tooth is only a thin layer covering it, it remains the hardest tissue in the body. So it means a lot when your tooth loses even just a portion of this.

A bad bite can cause this loss because the upper and the lower teeth do not fit the other correctly, and instead, rub against each other. Over time, this repetitive motion can grind through the enamel, exposing the dentin. When this happens, you can develop sensitive teeth, and as the condition progresses, even more damage to the teeth, its interior components, and even the gums.

Dental Carries and Gum Diseases

In many cases, incorrect alignment of the teeth makes it difficult to clean the teeth thoroughly, since some areas become harder to access. This then reduces your ability to brush and floss properly.

As a result, your misaligned bite increases your risk of tooth decay and gum diseases, seeing as it creates room for bacteria to settle and thrive.

Higher Risk of Chipping and Fractures

Having a bad bite also makes your teeth more prone to damages such as tooth chipping and dental fractures. Because your upper teeth do not meet the lower teeth in the right manner, you might accidentally bite down too hard – whether during eating, chewing, or speaking – and cause the enamel to break. And attrition further pushes your risks up.

Because all these go back to your having an incorrect bite, you should have this problem fixed first.

Three Teeth-Whitening Myths, Debunked

Woman with perfect white teethPeople are keen on caring for their pearly whites and teeth whitening treatments are the secret to brighter, healthier-looking teeth. Recent claims on the Internet, however, have surfaced and confused both dental practitioners and patients alike.

Dental practices like Taylor Burley Kleiman Dental warn against such claims. Here are three teeth-whitening myths that dentists want you to stop believing:

‘If you have sensitive teeth, you cannot get teeth-whitening treatments.’

The minor sensitivity that you might experience during a whitening treatment is your teeth’s temporary reaction to the fluctuating temperatures rather than the whitening solution itself. The sensitivity often disappears but if it persists, consult with your dentists to determine the cause and appropriate remedy. Most likely, it is a symptom of an underlying oral health condition so make sure to disclose any discomfort to your dental practitioner.

‘Activated charcoal is a safe and effective teeth whitening ingredient.’

The market has seen a rise in charcoal facial products, but dentists suggest that they should not go onto your teeth. Despite numerous reviews from bloggers on the internet, there is no clear clinical evidence that charcoal is safe for whitening your teeth. In fact, dental professionals are concerned about its abrasiveness on your teeth and gums.

‘If you want white teeth, you have to stop drinking coffee and tea.’

Although coffee and tea are two of the common culprits for teeth stains, this does not mean you have to give up the daily brew to maintain white teeth. Regular consumption of coffee or tea leaves a yellowish tint on the external layer of tooth enamel, but regular visits to the dentist can dissolve stubborn stains.

You can find many answers to your questions on the Internet, but virtual spaces are also highly vulnerable to false information. When you are curious about teeth whitening, it is best to talk to a professional. Visit a dental practice near you to ensure you get the treatment you need.

Bleeding Gums? Why You Should Not Ignore the Problem

Mouth with Inflamed Gums

Should you panic when your gums bleed? It depends on what happened before you noticed blood; but most of the time, this already signals a problem. This is especially true when you experience it constantly, such as when you brush your teeth or floss.

Frequently seeing your gums bleed calls for an appointment with a dentist in Shrewsbury, as you might already have developed gum disease.

Inflamed Gum Lines

Gum disease occurs when the gum line becomes inflamed. You need to have it treated as soon as possible, as it can spread to the bone that surrounds and supports the teeth. Progression happens in three stages: gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. Have your symptoms checked right away so that your dentist can diagnose which stage your gum problem has already reached.

Signs Indicating Possible Gum Disease

In some cases, pain does not accompany gum disease. For this reason, it pays to know the symptoms usually associated with it.

Other than bleeding, swelling or redness of the gums may indicate gum disease. Check your gums regularly to see if any portion of it has receded or moved away from a tooth. Many people who have this dental condition likewise notice a persistent bad taste in their mouth, have bad breath or have loose teeth.

Getting Professional Help Immediately

An infection that does not receive immediate attention will spread in a short amount of time. From the first stage, it will not take long before it hits the final and worst stage of gum disease, which can already cause significant structural damage. Severe gum recession or tooth decay may require you to have the affected tooth extracted, which then makes you prone to even more oral health problems.

Before your gum disease progresses, contact a dentist and set up an appointment. Doing so increases your chances of saving your gums and teeth, as well as your dental and overall health.