Have you been frustrated lately by a dry, sticky feeling within your mouth? If you have experienced this, or noticed a tendency to feel parched, you may not be producing enough saliva. This condition is known as xerostomia, though it may be more familiar when referred to as dry mouth. Dry mouth can create an unpleasant sensation in your mouth, but its problems go beyond discomfort. Your saliva provides a natural defense against oral bacteria; if you frequently fail to produce enough, it can be harder to avoid problems that call for restorative dental work. In some cases where dry mouth is a persistent issue, your dentist may recommend taking special action – dental sealants can offer extra protection while you deal with a susceptibility to tooth decay. (more…)
Making The Choice To Receive Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers offer a lasting change to your appearance. After all, your dentist will bond these life-like, translucent shells permanently to your teeth – this is no short-term solution to a cosmetic issue. Many patients are eager to have veneers placed, as they recognize their ability to make significant changes to their smile. The durability of these cosmetic restorations make it easier to ensure that your benefits last, and that the benefits to your appearance are sustained. People choose to receive veneers to counter a number of different issues, including discoloration or dullness, damage, or congenital dental flaws that adversely impact their smile. (more…)
Quiz: Taking Care Of An Incomplete Smile
It is hard to think of a more significant, or obvious, dental problem than tooth loss. The cosmetic effect can certainly be striking. If you have a gap – or gaps – visible when you smile, you can feel hesitant to show your smile, and suffer a sizable blow to your self-confidence. Of course, this does not mean that people with missing teeth in harder to see areas should feel like they have nothing to worry about. Our jaw functions rely on us having a full set of teeth. Absences can mean compromised function, and that can lead to TMJ problems, and an increased risk for losing more teeth. Bringing concerns about tooth loss to your dentist can lead to you receiving the prosthetic support you need to have a healthy, attractive smile. (more…)
What Happens If My Dentist Finds A Problem During A Checkup?
In situations where you go in to your dentist’s office to have an aching tooth examined, you can expect to learn you need restorative dental care of some kind. However, you may go in for a routine dental checkup confident that everything is in order, only to learn you have a cavity that needs to be treated. So what happens when you are confronted with a problem you were unaware of? One advantage to having regular dental exams is that your dentist is able to find problems in their early stages. You may not like hearing that you have a cavity, but that early detection means treatment before decay can worsen, and cause more trouble for your oral health. (more…)
3 Ways Your Dentist Can Address Dental Damage
The term “dental damage” can feel inadequate when you consider the range of issues it can cover. After all, most adults, particularly older adults, are likely to have some “damage” just from wear and tear over the years. The term is useful for addressing an injury that calls for restorative dental work, but it also applies to milder problems that can be fixed with cosmetic dental work. The best way to determine how to respond to dental damage is to have your dentist take a look. They can provide restorative care if damage affects your function, or threatens the tooth’s help, or recommend cosmetic treatment. (more…)
The Allen Civic Ballet Presents Pirouettes For Pets
On Sunday, March 12, Allen residents are encouraged to check out Pirouettes For Pets, a special program put together by the Allen Civic Ballet. The event, held in the Allen Civic Auditorium at the Allen Public Library, will help to raise awareness for animal adoption and proper pet ownership. In fact, the Allen Animal Shelter will also be on hand, and dogs ready for adoption will be available. This special performance, which includes “Stupid Ballerina Tricks,” will showcase local talent, while also encouraging responsible pet ownership and adoption. Donations of goods for the shelter will also be taken at the event. (more…)
A Professional Dental Cleaning Offers Vital Smile Care
When you go in for a routine dental examination, your dentist is paying close attention for any signs of trouble with your teeth. That inspection ensures developing problems will not continue to grow unchecked, and lead to more involved restorative dental care. As important as this is, it is not the only reason you should keep up with regular dental visits. You also undergo an important professional dental cleaning, which offers vital care for your teeth. Your hygienist can provide a detailed cleaning, which includes the removal of tartar, hardened plaque that your daily cleaning sessions will not be able to dislodge. (more…)
Important Care After A Dental Injury
There will never be a time in your life when you hope for a dental injury. Unfortunately, they can happen, and they can happen with little to no warning. If an accident puts your smile’s health and/or appearance in jeopardy, it can qualify as a dental emergency. You may need urgent restorative dental care, especially if you are facing the prospect of tooth loss. Your dentist can do whatever work is needed to bring your smile back to its proper condition. That means fixing health issues, but it can include cosmetic dental work, so that you are still comfortable showing off your smile after an accident. (more…)
Can Stress Affect Your Oral Health?
No one wants stress in their life. When you constantly feel stressed, your anxieties and agitations can begin to affect your health. Of course, while many people focus on the impact of stress on your general health, you should also pay attention to how it impacts your oral health. Cold sores that develop in your mouth can be attributed to stress. You can also develop a habit of grinding your teeth at night, a condition referred to as bruxism. Bruxism can often arise along with TMJ problems (also known as TMD), leaving you feeling persistent discomfort in your jaw, face, and head. (more…)
Addressing Fluorosis
If evidence of dental fluorosis is detectable in your smile, you are likely familiar with how the condition affects your appearance. Fluorosis is caused by an excess consumption of fluoride – however, a person is only susceptible to this during their childhood years. Typically, the problem only occurs while your teeth are still developing under your gums, and have yet to erupt. It leads to white streaks or lines in teeth, with varying degrees of visibility. While this is not necessarily a threat to your oral health, it can be a frustrating cosmetic problem. Your dentist can help hide your condition thanks to cosmetic dental work. (more…)
