As with other systems and tissues in our body, genetics do play a role in the health of teeth but there are measures a person can take to enjoy vibrant oral health and prevent disease. The oral system’s health is connected to the rest of the body, too. Some conditions that predispose a person to diseases such as diabetes can have an effect on the health of teeth and gums. Following is some helpful information about genetics, preventive measures patients can take, and how our dentists can help safeguard your oral health.

Genetics and Oral Health

Sometimes, congenital and developmental abnormalities can affect the oral health system. Some folks are born without tooth enamel, for instance. Tooth enamel is the mineralized coating around teeth that prevents tooth decay. Without enamel, a tooth is susceptible to harmful oral bacteria forming caries. Other issues such as the growth rate of the jawbones or cleft palates can affect oral health as well. For example, if one jaw is denser and larger than the other one, it can result in a malocclusion, which can cause tooth wear, TMJ dysfunction, and a host of other problems.

If congenital or developmental abnormalities are present, they are most often easily detected through routine checkups with our dentist. Oral examinations and diagnostic technology can reveal potential problems in any of the oral cavity’s structures.

Protecting Your Oral Health

While genetic and developmental issues can affect the health of your teeth and gums, you can still take measures to prevent common oral disease. Commit to a thorough and consistent oral hygiene routine that involves at least twice daily brushing and daily flossing. We encourage our patients to limit sugar intake, drink plenty of water, and avoid bad habits such as chewing on ice cubes, pen caps, or one’s nails.

Preventive Dental Treatments

If your teeth or gums are at risk for disease, preventive services are available. To prevent gum disease, it is very important that patients schedule regular dental cleanings. For those whose teeth are weak, we can apply dental sealants or administer fluoride treatments. Broken or diseased teeth can be treated with restorations as well.

Call Community Shores Dental at 231-865-6945 today to reserve an appointment with one of our skilled dentists.

Tooth sensitivity can be both a quality of life issue as well as signify a need for professional treatment from a dentist. Having sensitive teeth can make drinking a hot or cold beverage very uncomfortable. In fact, sometimes enjoying a hot bowl of soup or even a spoonful of ice cream is unbearable. While tooth sensitivity can affect your dietary habits, it doesn’t have to become a permanent part of your life. There are measures you can take to reduce sensitivity and treatments are available that can increase the health of your teeth while offsetting uncomfortable symptoms.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

A few different things can cause sensitive teeth. Sometimes, patients whose gums have receded due to vigorous brushing practices or gum disease can experience sensitivity. This is because the roots of teeth aren’t coated with tooth enamel and therefore more prone to sensitivity because the tubules inside dentin are more likely to be exposed to debris and bacteria.

Thinning tooth enamel due to damage, disease, or developmental issues is also a common cause for tooth sensitivity. As with the roots of teeth exposed to debris and bacteria, thin or weak enamel can make the tubules of dentin quite sensitive to temperate foods and beverages.

What can I do about sensitive teeth?

One thing patients can try at home is to avoid overly hot or cold drinks and food. We recommend that patients also avoid brushing to hard or vigorously as it can cause the gums to pull away from teeth. Toothpastes formulated for sensitive teeth may also be helpful as they contain ingredients that help seal the outside of teeth to prevent discomfort.

What are my treatment options?

If our dentist determines that a patient requires treatment for sensitive teeth, restorations may be necessary to strengthen tooth structure and prevent future damage from decay or breakage. Sealing the outer surface of a tooth may also be a method of treatment that can reduce discomfort.

To learn more about your treatment options, contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Crowns, veneers and bonding are all used in cosmetic dentistry, but for slightly different applications. Your cosmetic dentist can determine which treatment or combination of treatments is best for your individual needs. These procedures are used for different types of cosmetic problems and can also be used for restorations.

Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a popular treatment for the front teeth. They can be used to correct a variety of cosmetic issues, including:

• Severe discoloration
• Chipping, pitting or minor cracking
• Slight misalignment
• Slight gaps

Veneers are affixed to the tooth surfaces with a special bonding agent. They are carefully color-matched and custom-made so they are indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Veneers are now used in many cosmetic applications for which crowns were previously the only option. [pullquote]Crowns, veneers and bonding are all used in cosmetic dentistry, but for slightly different applications. [/pullquote]

Crowns and Bonding

Dental crowns are a more invasive treatment than veneers and so are used less often. To place a crown, the dentist must reshape the tooth to make room for it. The crown is then secured over the tooth and cemented in place. Crowns can be made of metal, porcelain, or metal that is bonded with porcelain. In general, metal or porcelain-bonded metal are better materials for the back teeth, as they must withstand higher levels of pressure. Porcelain crowns are better for the front teeth, since they provide a more natural appearance.

Crowns are used to restore severely damaged teeth, cracked teeth, or teeth with decay that have already had large fillings placed. They are also used to repair teeth after a root canal.

Bonding uses a resin to repair breaks or chips in the teeth. Your cosmetic dentist might also recommend it for misshapen or asymmetrical teeth. The resin is placed on the tooth, cured with a light, then sculpted into the correct shape. Bonding is a much easier way to correct the shape of the tooth than a crown, which used to be the treatment of choice for this type of restoration or cosmetic application.

Contact our skilled team at Artistic Smiles to learn more about which of these procedures is right for you.

Many people think of dental health as a separate topic from overall health. However, your overall health, including the health of your bones, can affect your dental health. Conversely, your oral health can affect your overall health. This is one of many reasons it is important to take good care of your teeth and see your dentist regularly.

Bone Health and Dental Health

Problems with the health of your bones can lead to problems with the health of your teeth. This is particularly true for women, who are at greater risk for osteoporosis, or weakening of the bone tissue. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become thinner and more brittle, increasing the risk of breaks. This systemic problem occurs in approximately half of women over fifty years old, and in about one-quarter of men over fifty years old.

As the bone tissue becomes weaker, the tissue of the jawbone can also deteriorate. The teeth need healthy bone tissue in the jaws to properly anchor the tooth roots. People suffering from osteoporosis are likely to have fewer teeth than those who have healthy bones due to this deterioration of the bone tissue. Osteoporosis can also affect your ability to have dental implants placed. In addition, if you are taking certain medication for osteoporosis, it can greatly increase your chance of an unsuccessful implant procedure.

Keeping Your Teeth and Bones Healthy

If you attend to the health of your bones and teeth throughout your life, you are less likely to have problems related to osteoporosis. This includes eating a healthy diet that includes sufficient calcium, vitamin D, and other minerals and vitamins that support bone health. These vitamins and minerals also help support your dental health. You should also be sure to visit your dentist regularly so that any problems that might be developing can be diagnosed and treated promptly.

If you do discover you are suffering from osteoporosis, be sure to follow treatment guidelines provided by your doctor to keep your bones healthy and strong as long as possible. You should also be sure to let your dentist know you are being treated, in case your treatment could affect your candidacy for dental implants if you happen to lose a tooth.

Call our office to reserve an appointment with our experienced dentist today.

Brushing twice a day, flossing, and visiting your dentist for exams each year is essential for your oral health. Unfortunately, you still may require involved dental treatments even after following your dentist’s recommendations for healthy teeth and gums. Considering millions of people undergo a root canal treatment, learning when this common procedure is necessary is smart.

Broken Tooth

A chipped, broken tooth not only affects the appeal of your smile, but it can also cause damage to your underlying nerves. If the tooth is hit with severe trauma, it can also sever the nerve completely. This kills the nerve, decreasing your chances of successful tooth repair.

A root canal may be able to repair the damage to the nerve, reconnecting it to the existing tooth. After saving the damaged nerve, your dentist can bond the surface enamel to restore the broken tooth.

Abscess

An abscess develops when an infection develops in the tooth pulp and spreads to its roots. An abscessed tooth is painful, but very serious. If this infection is left untreated, it may spread to the bone, resulting in serious complications.

Antibiotics will be necessary to treat the infection, but your dentist will also perform a root canal treatment to remove bacteria and dead tissue from the tooth pulp and roots.

Cavity

Cavities are also common reasons to undergo a root canal. Since cavities form over time, they can cause bacteria to spread deep into the tooth pulp, decaying the tooth and infecting the pulp and roots. If you have a deep cavity, you may experience tooth sensitivity, pain in and around the mouth, head, and jaw, and tender, bleeding gums.

The best option for repairing deep cavities is to remove the decay by cleaning out the root canals. In many cases, removal of the damaged nerve will also be necessary.

A root canal treatment may be common, but it deserves serious thought and consideration. Contact our caring team at Artistic Smiles to learn if this procedure will benefit you and your dental health.