Patient Education Topics
Even though most people understand the value and importance of keeping their teeth clean and healthy, there are many other areas of oral health that are too often overlooked. While brushing, flossing, and regular dental appointments can help prevent a large number of serious problems, your dentist can educate you on some of the lesser known aspects of oral hygiene.
Modern dentistry has evolved to encompass a wide variety of areas not previously understood by the general public. Your dentist can help clarify many aspects of his or her practice, including elements of dental equipment such as the wonders of intraoral cameras, proper oral sports safety, and even how to care for the teeth of babies, children, and teenagers.
Never hesitate to ask your dentist about any procedure he or she performs. Quite often they are more than willing to help explain even complicated procedures and techniques, because proper understanding may allow you to take even better care of your teeth and prevent minor inconveniences from becoming serious problems.
Intraoral Cameras
Intraoral cameras are special types of devices that allow a dentist to see and display many previously unseen areas of the mouth. This camera can move around freely and painlessly around the mouth and takes pictures of the condition of the teeth which are stored for later recording and examination.
The camera, about the size of a large pen, allows patients to see the insides of their own mouth, a view which previously would have been impossible. The camera is attached to a video monitor which is placed in full of the patient, allowing them to view the condition of their teeth and the procedures the dentist uses to keep them healthy.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of an intraoral camera is that it captures and stores images of the teeth for later examination. This procedure allows dentists to analyze potential problems before it develops into a complicated and painful condition and makes teeth cleaning a more thorough experience. It also allows your dentist to closely track the progress of treatments and provides detailed insight into the status of your teeth.
Sports Safety
Sports of all types are extremely popular recreational activities for people from all walks of life, but few realize the danger even the simplest sports pose to the mouth. In fact, mouth injuries are some of the most common and debilitating injuries people can suffer while engaging in any physical activity.
In order to prevent serious oral injury most dental professionals recommend a number of types of mouth guards. There are three main types of mouth guards: the stock mouthpiece, the boil and bite, and the custom fit mouth guard. The stock mouthpiece is readily available and inexpensive but is the least effective in preventing serious injury. The boil and bite mouth guard is also popular. It allows a person to fit their teeth to a mouthpiece in order to provide better protection.
By far the most reliable and strongest protection is the custom fitted mouth piece created specifically for your teeth by your dentist. These appliances are designed around an impression of your teeth, and can be fitted around braces, crowns, and other dental applications. Furthermore, custom mouth guards can protect the bottom teeth as well, offering complete protection for your oral health. Ask your dentist which mouth guard is right for you.
Emergency Care
Few things inspire as much panic as a mouth injury, and a dental emergency can occur at any time to anyone. Car accidents, accidental falls and slips, and sporting injuries are just a few situations that can require immediate dental treatment. However, the most important thing to remember about serious mouth injuries is they often look worse than they actually are. Oral injuries can be extremely painful due to the high number of sensitive tissues concentrated in the mouth, and the thin tissues that comprise the gums and palate can bleed rather easily.
The most common type of dental emergencies for children and adults alike is the loss of a tooth due to acute or chronic trauma. If you have a dental emergency related to a lost tooth, make sure to handle the tooth very carefully, as touching and harming the fragile root can make reattachment very difficult. If the tooth is clean, you can place it very delicately in the socket and apply gentle pressure. Do not clean off the tooth with water - make sure to use milk instead.
If you have lost a tooth it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Fortunately, emergency oral care can prevent serious long term consequences and by seeking medical treatment within the first half hour, there is an 85% chance the tooth will survive. It is important to get to a dentist or other emergency health professional as quickly as possible, for the sooner you receive medical attention the better your prognosis. Remember your teeth are made of some of the strongest materials in the body and can take a great deal of punishment. If you are suffering from a dental emergency, keep calm, take stock of your situation, and get to a dental professional immediately.
Hygiene - General Oral Care
Even though your teeth are made of some of the strongest materials in the body, they are extremely susceptible to daily wear and tear. Teeth are used every day and over time even simple things such as eating and speaking can become virtually impossible without proper care.
Proper oral care and significantly reduce the chances of cavities and periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing remove the particulate food matter that can get stuck between the teeth and cause damage, and a mouthwash will kill most of the bacteria that lurk in the mouth. Proper dental care is a lifelong habit that pays immediate dividends each time that you smile, laugh, or eat your favorite food. Everyone's mouth is different, so be sure to consult your dentist on the appropriate oral care for your smile.
Dental Visits
Everyone needs to see the dentist at least every six months. Brushing, flossing, and taking care of your teeth can help prevent some very common problems, but only your dentist can discover if your teeth are in their best shape. These visits can provide advance warnings of potentially serious conditions which allows your dentist to explore treatment options in the early stages before they develop into major problems.
Unfortunately, many people are intimidated by going to the dentist. Pain, discomfort, or embarrassment often accompany a trip to the dentist's chair, but modern dentistry can help reduce the anxiety common to proper oral care. Sedation and pain free dentistry provide an option to people who want to take care of their teeth but do not want to experience any physical or emotional trauma.
Be sure to visit your dentist twice a year. Your dentist wants you to keep your teeth for a lifetime, and regular appointments will keep you healthy and smiling.
Health Conditions
Sometimes even the best oral hygiene cannot prevent significant damage to the teeth and gums. Certain diseases such as diabetes and cancer can wreak untold havoc on the teeth and gums. The diseases themselves are not the only culprits; medication, treatment, and diet change can severely impact the overall health of the teeth and gums as well.
It is important to maintain healthy oral hygiene habits if it is possible. Not only can the right technique help create an overall feeling of well being, keeping your teeth and gums clean and fresh can help prevent serious oral problems from compounding an already difficult situation.
Your mouth is one of the most important parts of your body. Even though other conditions may cause you to become a bit lax in your oral hygiene habits, you can always consult your dentist to find the best ways to maximize the care you can give your teeth. Contact a professional today.
Baby Care
Babies typically develop their first teeth around six months of age, often to the great chagrin of the parents who must frequently sooth their child's gum pain during this period. As the baby teeth erupt through the soft tissue they can cause a great deal of discomfort, but this is a perfectly normal part of the maturing process.
These teeth, often called the "milk teeth" or "primary teeth", need the same kind of care as permanent teeth in adults. It is important to encourage proper oral hygiene at this early age, for the habits learned now will provide your child with a life of healthy gums and strong teeth. One word of caution however is that children and babies should not use fluoridated toothpaste, as many youngsters are apt to swallow the good tasting toothpaste. This can cause serious health problems if taken in sufficient quantities.
Take care of your baby's teeth and teach your younger children the importance of proper oral hygiene. Even though they will eventually lose their baby teeth, you want them to have their adult teeth as long as they can. A little bit of encouragement and a lot of patience will give them the healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
Pediatric Dentistry - Children/Teens
As children grow, their dental needs change. These are some of the most important and formative years, for the teeth that grow in to replace the baby teeth are designed to last a long time with the proper care. Unfortunately too few people develop good oral hygiene as a habit, and the first signs of serious problems usually develop during these crucial years.
Children and teenagers need to take special care of their teeth because many problems that develop in early adulthood can be treated before they escalate. Regular dentist appointments are of course necessary, as is proper brushing and flossing. Many people this age are unaware of the proper methods and lengths of time it takes to ensure clean and healthy teeth and gums, and many problems could be avoided with proper education.
Good oral hygiene is an invaluable habit that will pay off handsomely throughout a person's life. Make sure that your children and teenagers take the proper care of their teeth and gums. They will thank you for it when they are adults.
Tobacco
Tobacco use is one of the worst possible things a person can do to their teeth. Smoking and chewing tobacco can at best cause stains which are extremely difficult and expensive to remove, and at worst tobacco use can cause tooth decay, periodontal disease, and even mouth cancer.
Smoking or using any form of oral tobacco can also cause bad breath, mouth sores, decreased sense of taste, and bone loss. Nicotine also decreases blood circulation which can cause even minor dental to work to have a much longer healing time. Tobacco use also makes dental plaques harden much faster, increasing the likelihood of dental cavities and other tissue problems.
If you care about your health, your teeth, and your life you must not smoke - and if you do, you must stop. The miniscule pleasure you receive from your tobacco does not balance out the incredible health problems you risk. Your dentist can offer you a strategy to help you quit; so make sure to ask which one is appropriate for you.
How to Choose a Dentist
It is imperative that patients choose a dentist who is well-seasoned and highly-skilled, and who has earned extensive professional credentials from accredited schools and organizations. All dentists are licensed practitioners, but some will have more experience and training than others. Patients owe it to themselves to work with fully accredited and licensed dental veterans.
The best dentists are those who not only have comprehensive training and experience, but who also take a personal interest in their patients. This involves evaluating the health of each individual patient and taking preventative measures to ensure satisfactory long-term results. Quality dentists treat each patient as a unique case and spend quality time developing a personalized plan for that person's specific needs.
You deserve to work with an experienced dentist who you are completely comfortable with. Your decision to entrust a dentist with your smile and your dental health is a serious one, and one that should not be taken lightly. A knowledgeable, experienced, and compassionate dentist can help you protect your teeth and achieve your long-term goals. Contact a qualified professional today for a consultation today.
Dentistry FAQ's
What is aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry?
Aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry involves procedures such as teeth whitening, crowns, and veneers that are designed to beautify the patient's smile and overall appearance while improving the overall health of the mouth.
What is general and family dentistry?
General and family dentistry focuses on the health and care of the mouth. Common procedures treat cavities, wisdom teeth, and broken teeth, and also involve preventative care.
What is implant dentistry?
Implant dentistry is a form of cosmetic oral care that involves installing customized prosthetics into the patient's mouth to correct imperfections. Implant dentistry addresses problems such as missing teeth and bone loss.
What is laser dentistry?
Laser dentistry substitutes laser technology for some of the more traditional methods of accomplishing dental tasks. Laser procedures are used for curing, teeth whitening, cavity removal, and tooth decay removal.
Are dental procedures safe?
While no form of medical care is one hundred percent foolproof, dental procedures are very safe and a great number of precautions are taken to ensure the well-being of patients. If you have any concerns about the safety of your dental procedures, do not hesitate to discuss them with your dentist.
What should I look for in a dentist?
It is important that you choose a dentist who you are comfortable working with and who is an experienced professional. You and your dentist will work together to realize your goals.
What procedures are right for me?
Dentistry is a profession that requires a great deal of customization based on patient needs. During your consultation you can explain your expectations to your dentist, who will create a treatment plan with procedures that are customized for you.
How much will my dental operations cost?
New technology has allowed dental procedures to become more affordable than ever before. There are a variety of cost effective options you can pursue depending on your dental goals. Don't let anything get in the way of you achieving the perfect smile you've always desired.