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The Surprising Truth about Alcohol and Oral Health

Drinking alcohol occasionally and in moderate amounts can be considered a part of a healthy lifestyle. But consuming alcohol in heavy quantities can be directly linked to all kinds of short-term and long-term health hazards. Alcohol is known to have adverse effects on the health of your liver, brain, blood sugar, and like it or not, your mouth. Most people remain completely unaware of the effects of alcohol on your oral health until they run into some themselves.

In this blog, we are about to dissect the relationship between your oral health and alcohol. We are going to talk not only about how your heavy drinking habits can have significant impacts on your oral health causing tooth decay and gum diseases, but we will also discuss how even moderate amounts of alcohol can put you to risk.

What’s Considered “Normal”?

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention provides a definition for moderate alcohol consumption as one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. This definition is meant to be limited to the amount of alcohol consumed in 24 hours and is not calculated as an average over several days. The one-drink or peg equivalent is calculated as 14 grams of pure alcohol.

Alcohol Consumption and Dental Health

Gum Disease

Alcohol is known to cause dehydration in the body by inhibiting the production of a chemical known as ADH, which is known to regulate the amount of urine you excrete out. Consumption of alcohol primarily causes your kidneys to throw out way more water than it normally would, causing your body to dehydrate. It can cause atrophy of the salivary glands, thus significantly lowering your flow of saliva. That is one of the reasons why most people suffer certain degree of, what people popularly call dry mouth, scientifically known as xerostomia, post boozing.

Dry mouth or xerostomia serves the perfect ambience for periodontitis or gum disease.  A gum disease is identified by the occurrence of bleeding gums, plaque, gum recession, infection, and the development of pockets where the gums pull away from the teeth. Gum disease has been directly linked to higher chances of cancer, diabetes, stroke or cardiac arrest, and heart disease.

A study published in the Journal of Periodontology focused on the negative effects of alcohol that can heavily and adversely affect the gum health. The study was conducted with 542 samples, which was a mixed bag comprising non-drinkers, occasional drinkers and alcoholics, with or without periodontitis. The final results showed:

Regular alcohol users without periodontitis were seen to experience more gum bleeding than non-drinkers.

Alcohol drinkers who already had periodontitis noticed a remarkable degradation in their condition with the increase in their frequency of consumption.

Alcohol consumers who did not struggle with existing gum disease had more plaque than non-drinkers.

Alcohol consumers who did not previously suffer from any gum diseases were seen to have more pockets between their teeth and gums, or larger pockets, more than the non-drinkers.

As the matter of fact, the research showed that even people who did not struggle with gum diseases were also seen to have a certain extent of negative impact on their dental and oral health.

Tooth Decay

The negative impact of alcohol is not just restricted to gum diseases and loosened gums. Alcoholics and consumers of alcohol are known to suffer from other hazard concerning their oral health. Besides suffering higher levels of plaque, regular alcohol consumers are thrice more susceptible to suffering from permanent tooth loss. Even of you are not a regular consumer of alcohol or are not dependent on it, it is important for you to understand the presence of alcohol in your mouth itself in more than enough to trigger tooth decay.

As previously discussed, alcohol caused dehydration. As a result, the flow of saliva inside your mouth dries up or decreases. Dry mouth is the ideal condition for the breeding of oral bacteria, because they are not getting automatically washed away by the saliva. This is one of the simplest explanations of why alcohol drinkers suffer from a higher amount of plaque, and higher chances of tooth decay.

If you want to relish a drink or two, we would recommend you to at least try to minimize the process of dehydration by sipping water in between at frequent intervals. The residual alcohol in the teeth, when left unwashed for a long time metabolizes into sugar, which provides the idea condition for the growth of oral bacteria. One way to prevent and counteract this process is to floss, brush, and use mouthwash every time you drink alcohol (or any sugary beverage, for that matter).

April is Alcohol Awareness Month!

As alcohol consumers, it is important that you understand how the alcohol interacts with and reacts in your mouth, so that you can make informed decisions about your oral health and dental hygiene. April, being the Alcohol Awareness Month, we wanted to inform you about the relationship between oral health and alcohol. Not many readers are aware of the kind of detrimental effects alcohol and have your teeth. The cons of smoking are widely talked about, but the ill effects of alcohol should be discussed too. We hope to empower them to make healthier decisions in their day-to-day life.

While drinking alcohol in moderation (   maximum of one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men) likely won’t have a big negative effect on your teeth, it is important to know the risks associated with it. Individuals who suffer from alcohol abuse have higher plaque levels and an increased risk of periodontal disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and mouth sores. Furthermore, alcohol abuse increases your chances of oral cancer. Here are the three ways that alcohol harms your teeth.

Sugar Content

The bacteria in your mouth devours sugar to survive and grow. So if you are sipping on sugary beverages , like cola or alcohol, you are literally feeding the bacteria and helping it thrive. The bacteria creates an acid inside your mouth that corrodes your teeth, weakening the enamel and causing tooth decay. Hence, if you really want to have alcoholic beverages, try drinking alcohol with less sugar content like dry wine.

Dehydration/Dry Mouth

we have discussed the relationship between dry mouth with oral health at length. Alcohol causes the mouth to dry up and restrict the flow of saliva. The flow of saliva is inversely proportional to the risk of tooth decay. Saliva plays an important role in maintaining the oral hygiene by washing away the bacteria. When you have dry mouth, the bacteria remains on the enamel and makes the teeth more susceptible to decay. Dry mouth can also cause bad breath. If you are boozing, make sure to stay hydrated. Drink water at regular intervals. You can also take to chewing sugar free gums to replenish the flow of the saliva.

Teeth Staining

Alcoholic beverages with deep hues like sangria, red wine or port wine can turn your teeth red and cause irreversible or long-lasting discoloration. These alcoholic beverages when poured on light coloured clothes, leave behind a permanent stain. So, you can easily imagine the kind of effect it is going to have on your pearly whites You can try to mitigate the effects of these dark coloured alcoholic beverages by munching on food while you booze and chewing sugar-free gum after drinking alcohol to bring your saliva levels back to normal.

 Only by properly brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and if possible twice a day, as well as getting professional dental cleanings and check-ups every 6 months, can help bring down the risk of dental problems that comes along with the consumption of alcohol.

Accidental dental trauma

Consumption of heavy amounts of alcohol multiplies the chances of an accidental dental trauma or facial injury, a fall or traffic accident, for instance.

A joyous smile is what everyone wants. A whitened and a picture perfect smile comes by maintaining a salubrious oral health. In order to maintain a beautiful you need to maintain your oral health as well as you need to go for regular dental checkups too.

If you do not maintain a good oral health then there are numerous oral diseases which takes away the radiance of your smile. You end up developing some severe gum diseases such as periodontitis in that case you would require tooth scaling and root planing. Tooth scaling and root planing is done for the removal of tartar and for treating inflamed gums.

This procedure is used in order to scrape off the hardened tartar on the surface of the teeth and roots. These treatments helps in protecting your smile and also does the prevention of tooth loss, gums and bones. Let us know more about tooth scaling and root planing.

What Are Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

Both tooth scaling and root planing are known as deep cleaning in the field of dentistry. This procedure is performed in order to get rid of the hardened up tartar on the top of teeth and roots. You might require these treatments if you are suffering from periodontitis which is also known as an advanced gum disease.

Whereas tooth scaling helps in the removal of tartar from the surface of your teeth. Root planing removes tartar from the roots of your teeth which is located below your gum line.

Who Performs Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

Dentists and periodontists who are also known as gum disease specialists are the ones who offers the treatments of gum disease.  The procedure is usually done by a dental hygienist. Both the procedures of tooth scaling and root planing takes place during the same dental visit. In that case you would usually need more than one appointment in order to do the treatment of your teeth.

When Does One Require Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

If you are the one who is already prone to periodontal disease then in that case you are at the higher risk of developing periodontitis disease when you get older. And according to the survey nearly 3 in 4 adults over the age of 65 have the problems of periodontal disease and in that case you require tooth scaling and root planing.

In order to save yourself from gum and tooth diseases kids and adults should have their teeth cleaned via scaling for at least twice each year. Periodontal problems can cause tooth decay and gum infections too.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Periodontitis?

Some of the risk factors of periodontitis includes:

#1. Diabetes.

#2. Family history of gum disease.

#3. Several health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

#4. Hormonal changes which are related to oral health, such as pregnancy gingivitis or those brought on by certain types of birth control.

#5. Improperly fitted dental bridges or defective dental fillings.

#6. Overbite or crooked teeth (malocclusion).

#7. Poor oral hygiene.

#8. Smoking.

#9. Stress.

When Do You Require Teeth Scaling?

Your dentist would recommend for teeth scaling and root planing if your mouth is suffering from the signs of chronic periodontal disease. These procedures helps to stop the harmful effects of the condition and also keeps your mouth healthy.

Chronic periodontal disease occurs when the bacteria in plaque cause your gums to pull away from your teeth. This in turn causes large pockets to grow between your teeth and gums, and within these pockets more bacteria can grow in such places where you cannot clean only through brushing.

Hence it is an essential thing to floss after brushing your teeth as because there are several places in the area of your mouth were the bacteria thrives but the toothbrush cannot clean it alone. That’s why it’s key to floss regularly to reach spots that toothbrushes can’t.

So What Happens To You If There Is An Untreated, Chronic Periodontal Disease?

If the chronical periodontal disease is left untreated then it can lead to

#1. Bone and tissue loss

#2. Tooth loss

#3. Loose teeth

#4. Moving teeth

Why Chronic Periodontal Disease Does Occurs?

Some of the reasons why chronic periodontal disease occurs is because of

#1. Poor dental hygiene

#2. Smoking

#3. Aging

#4. Changes in hormones

#5. Poor nutrition

#6. Family history

#7. Other medical conditions

You may experience deep pockets in between your gums and teeth due to chronic periodontal disease, but there are several other symptoms of the condition, which includes:

#1. Bleeding gums

#2. Inflamed, red, or tender gums

#3. Bad breath

#4. Shifting permanent teeth

#5. A change in your bite

How One Should Prepare For A Deep Teeth Cleaning?

There is no particular rule which you need to follow or prepare before scaling or root planing. Though some dentists might recommend you to rinse your mouth with a very strong antiseptic mouthwash. Some dentists recommend this because there would be a lot of bacteria transferred to your blood during the process of root planing.

Apart from rinsing the mouth with a mouthwash, you can also follow several other oral health habits like oil pulling, oral probiotics, and eating a low-carbohydrate and low-sugar diet to drive down inflammation.

Doing this will not only help in preparing your immune system for brief exposure to more bacteria, but it will also help you make the first steps for halting gum diseases. If you’re concerned about sensitivity or pain, you can also use an over-the-counter pain reliever before the procedure.

What Occurs Before Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

Periodontal diseases are something which usually don’t end up causing pain. Your dentist might diagnose you with periodontitis during the process of dental check-up. Dentist might also get the dental X-rays done in order to look into problems like cavities, an abscessed tooth, tooth infection or bone loss. If you are having periodontitis, then in that case your provider would discuss the treatment options with you. Tooth scaling and root planing will take place during a future appointment.

What You Should Expect From Tooth Scaling And Root Planing Treatments?

The deep dental cleaning is done below the gum line in order to remove tartar from each teeth, and including the roots too. In order to minimize any kind of discomfort or pain your dentist would numb your mouth’s area with the help of a local anesthetic. Then you’re awake for the procedures.

What Happens During The Time Of Tooth Scaling?

Your dentist uses a vibrating tool which is known as an ultrasonic scaler in order to perform the scaling process. These steps may take place during tooth scaling:

A vibrating metal tip on the scaler helps in scraping the tartar off of your teeth and above your gum line. A water spray on the scaler washes away the tartar and flushes plaque from the gum pockets.

The dentist uses a manual dental scaler and a scraping device which is known as curette in order to remove small remaining pieces of tartar.

What Happens During Root Planing?

Root planing is just like tooth scaling the only difference is it takes place on the roots of your teeth which sits below your gum line.

During the process of root planing, your dentist would use a tool in order to gently push aside your gum tissue and doing this exposes the surface of the roots.

Then your dentist uses the same tooth scaling tools for chipping tartar from the roots, and this maks the tooth smooth. At times, they may also inject an antibiotic medication directly into any gum pockets.

What Is The Difference Between Scaling & Root Planing?

By now you have known what is root planing and scaling and how both the procedure is performed. But what is the difference in between these procedures? Keep o reading and you get to know the key differences in between the two procedures.

Root planning is the procedure in which any area of the tooth root that is infected by bacteria gets cleaned. This treatment involves the removal of plaque and tartar and also smooths the roots of the tooth where it sits beneath the gum line.

Whereas scaling is done in order to clear away the tartar and plaque which gets accumulated on surface of the teeth that is located above the gum line. Both of these procedures are a vital thing in order to maintain a good oral and dental health.

What Happens After Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

Now that you have got a clear idea on the differences of root planing and tooth scaling. Now a question might arise in your mind that what happens after tooth scaling and root planing? After the process of tooth scaling and root planing is performed bacteria and plaque are less likely to stick to the smooth surfaces of your treated teeth’s enamel.

Not just that after the procedure is done there are less chances of inflammation as your gums begin to heal. Your healthy gums can get reattached more firmly to the smoothed tooth roots.

After the entire process is done and with the follow-up appointments, your provider is going to measure the pockets which surrounds your gum tissue and gum lines. If the pockets haven’t decreased, then in that case you might require a periodontal surgery. Surgical treatments for periodontitis includes:

Bone grafting for replacing lost bone with bone from a donor or lab-made material.

Flap surgery in order to make a gum pocket smaller by lowering your gum line.

Soft tissue grafting for replacing lost gum tissue with tissue from the roof of your mouth.  

How Many Dental Appointments Are Need For Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

The total number of dental appointments that you require for scaling and planing depends entirely on how severe your conditions are based on your dentist’s preferences. There are some dentists who only treat one side of your mouth this includes both upper and lower teeth just in one visit. After that are required to visit for the second time for treating the other side of your mouth.

Some dentist treat each mouth quadrant separately instead. For instance, they scale and plane only the lower right side of your mouth. While during your next appointment, they might treat the upper right side of your mouth. If the treatment occurs like this then you are going to have four appointments all total.

What Are The Benefits Of Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

So what are benefits of these procedures? There are several studies which have shown that tooth scaling and root planing both are an effective treatments for periodontitis. These treatments are performed so that you can save yourself from losing gum tissues, teeth and bones.

What are the risks of tooth scaling and root planing?

By now you have already gone to the advantages of root planing but do you know that there are several disadvantages too which are related to tooth scaling and root planing. Tooth scaling and root planing can cause temporary discomfort during the time of healing. But the overall risks after the treatment are minimal ones.

People with certain heart conditions, like endocarditis, or who have synthetic heart valves may need to take antibiotics before they are getting any dental procedures done. Antibiotics helps in lowering your risk of a bacterial infection. You needed to ask your dentist and your cardiologist if you need to take this preventive step for yourself in order to stay on the safe side.

What Does Recovery Like After Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

After to process of teeth scaling and root planing is done then your gums might be temporarily swollen and they are also tender after the procedure is complete. Apart from the tenderness of the gums your teeth might also feel sensitive. In this case you need to follow your dentist’s instructions for a speedy recovery.

Other than that you need to follow several other things mentioned below for a speedy recovery.

#1. Avoid foods and drinks that are too hot or cold.

#2. Consume soft and mushy foods like eggs after the surgery.

#3. Take pain relievers and antibiotics.

#4. Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse.

After Care Tips When The Procedure Is Done?

After the procedure of deep cleaning is done, you might feel pain for a day or two and there might be teeth sensitivity for up to a week. Apart from the teeth, your gums may be also swollen, and during this time you would feel tender and bleed. And in order to prevent infection, and control your pain your dentist may prescribe a pill or mouth rinse for the process of healing. Your dentist may also insert medication of subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline directly into the pocket that was cleaned. Other than that your dentist will also schedule another visit to see how your gums have healed and measure the depth of your pockets. If they notice that the depth of your pockets have gotten deeper, then in that case more treatment may be needed in order to heal.

Good dental care at home is essential to help keep gum disease from becoming more serious or recurring. Such as brushing your teeth for twice a day with the help of a soft brush, and also cleaning your teeth, eat a balanced diet, avoid using tobacco and see your dentist regularly.

FAQ’S

Now that you have known everything related to teeth scaling and root planing, there are a few questions which you need to know about scaling and root plaining.

• Can you eat right after the procedure of scaling is done?

After the procedure of root scaling is done you don’t have to wait for hours for eating after your dental cleaning. In fact, you don’t have to wait at all. Yes you have read that right you can eat right after a dental cleaning.

• Does scaling remove yellow teeth?

Does scaling and polishing whitens the teeth? Yes. Scaling and polishing is not primarily designed for whitening the teeth, as that is what teeth whitening treatments are meant for. With that said however, a scale and polish will in fact l       eave the teeth looking smooth, shiny, and whiter after the treatment.

• Do you bleed during scaling?

Though bleeding from gums after deep scaling is normal in most of the cases and subsides after 2-3 hours without any conscious efforts, there are some patients whose gums tends to bleed more and often persists for longer than 72 hours depending upon severity of inflammation.

• What is the next step after scaling and root planing?

About three or four days after the procedure, you should be able to brush normally again. In addition, your dentist will likely recommend that you rinse your mouth using either an antimicrobial rinse or a warm salt water rinse.

• Do all teeth need scaling?

When do you need teeth scaling? Your dentist will recommend teeth scaling and root planing if your mouth has signs of chronic periodontal disease. These procedures can help stop the harmful effects of this condition and keep your mouth healthy.

• How can I whiten my teeth after scaling?

Dental scaling and polishing done to remove tartar and any surface stain a few days before whitening procedure is an important first step. We do not want bleeding gum after heavy scaling to disturb the bleaching procedure. After waiting a few days, teeth are generally clean and gum is healthy for this procedure.

• Is there an alternative to dental scaling?

Although hand scalers are quite an effective thing, but these things must be used carefully for avoiding damage to gum tissues or, during deeper cleaning known as root planing, the tooth roots. A different method for plaque removal known as ultrasonic scaling has grown in popularity as an alternative to manual scaling.

• How can I scale my teeth naturally?

You can clean the teeth using baking soda. You can make a mixture of baking soda and salt as it is an effective home remedy for dental calculus removal. Other than that brushing your teeth with baking soda and salt softens the calculus, helps in making it easy to remove. The mixture should smoothly be scrubbed on the teeth by using a toothbrush in order to remove the tartar.

• Is dental scaling a surgery?

Dentists typically use the procedure of periodontal scaling and root planing as the first steps for the treatment of gum diseases. Periodontal scaling and root planing are nonsurgical ones. They are more of a deep cleaning that is done with handheld instruments or ultrasonic devices.

• What happens to gums after scaling?

What is recovery like after scaling and root planing? After your procedure, you might experience gum and tooth sensitivity for a few days. You may also experience redness, swelling, and bleeding of your gums. However, with a good oral hygiene routine, this should go away within days after your procedure.

We know that smile is that pretty curve which heals you from within and everyone around you. There might be situations that ends up vanquishing the glamour of your smile. In such cases you need to go through several dental treatments in order to restore the radiance and beauty of your smile.

Do you know that dental crowns are used in order to restore the damaged teeth and place the teeth in a proper order? Today in this article we would be going through everything related to dental crowns. Before that you need to get a very basic thing clear in your mind what are dental crowns.       

What Are Dental Crowns?

As mentioned earlier before knowing anything about dental crowns you need to know what is a dental crown. Dental crowns are the caps that are placed on the top of a damaged tooth. These crowns are used in order to protect, give coverage and also helps in restoring the shape of your teeth. The dental crowns are used when fillings do not end up solving the problems.

With the passage of time your teeth might get damaged due to numerous reasons, your teeth might get damaged due to tooth decaying, or due to any kind of injuries or it might just get damaged due to over time. Dental crowns are used when your teeth ends up losing the shapes and sizes.

Dental crowns are tooth shaped caps that are placed over your teeth, these dental crowns are made out of metals, porcelain, resin and ceramics. The dental tooth looks like a snug hat which you have gifted to your teeth.

The dental crowns are made up of metals, porcelain, resin and ceramics. They typically don’t require special care over time other than regular good oral hygiene. Dental crowns are used in restoring the shape of the teeth, size, strength and appearance. The dental crowns are cemented into place on your tooth and it covers the visible portion of the tooth.

Now that you have known what these dental crowns are, you should also know the requirement and need for these dental crowns.

What Is The Need Of Dental Crown?

The requirement and need for dental crown is due to several reasons including:

#1. Dental crowns are used in order to protect a weakened tooth a tooth. A tooth might go through the process of decaying due to various reasons. Hence in order to restore the weakened teeth dental implant is used to work on the parts of the broken teeth or cracked teeth.

#2. Dental crowns are also used for restoring a broken tooth or for those teeth that are severely worn down.

#3. Covering and supporting a tooth with a large filling and not much tooth remaining.

#4. For holding a dental bridge in place.

#5. Covering the misshapen or those teeth that are severely discolored. 

#6. Covering a dental implant.

#7. Dental crowns are also used for covering a tooth that’s been treated with a root canal.

You have got to know why there is a need for dental crown you should also know who requires these dental crown.

Who Needs A Crown?

Those who are suffering from large cavities then in that situation dental filling won’t work. In such cases dental crown is required to fix the problem. Other than that your teeth also requires crowing if they are severely worn down, cracked or weakened.

Other than that dental crowing’s are also recommended after the process of root canal is done, as because during this situation the tooth is more fragile and it also needs an extra care and protection too.

If you are having a missing tooth during such a situation your dentist would recommend for a dental crown. In such a situation your dentist would recommend you for dental bridge or for a tooth implant.      

What Is The Cost Of Dental Crown?

The ranges of the dental crowns is from $800 to $1,500. This could be even more. The cost of the dental crown depends on the type of material which is used in making of the crown and other than it the price of the dental crown also depends on the size of the tooth.

Usually all-metal crowns, are made out of a metal alloy, are sometimes cheaper than gold or porcelain crowns.

Costs of the dental crown may also rise if the dentist has to perform more extensive preparation work before they put the crown. At times patient needs might need a root canal or a dental implant and both of this procedure needs to be performed at the same time, and both of which can drive the price up. Before choosing for the crown you need to have a talk with your dentist about the different types of crowns that are available and which one is the appropriate one for your dental requirement.

What Are Onlays And 3/4 Crowns?

There are several different types of crowns which are used for your teeth. Onlays and 3/4 crowns are two types of dental crowns that do not cover as much of your underlying tooth as compared to traditional dental crowns. Whereas on the other hand a traditional crown is the one which will cover your entire tooth.

Onlays and 3/4 crowns might be the appropriate one to choose for when you still have a solid tooth structure. It’s considered a more conservative approach compared to full coverage of your crown. In this procedure, your dentist removes the affected area and performs a reshaping of the tooth to receive the crown.

Now that you have known what are the types of crowns you also know what are these dental crowns made up of.

What Are Dental Crowns Made Out Of?

The permanent dental crowns are made out of several different types of materials. Some of the materials with which the dental crowns are made of is mentioned below.

#1. Metal:

Permanent dental crowns are made out of several different types of metals. These metals could include gold, palladium, nickel and chromium. Metal crowns are the ones who are rarely chip or break, these types of dental crowns also last the longest in terms of wear down and only require a small amount of your tooth to be removed. The metal crowns can also withstand biting and chewing forces too. The metallic color is the main drawback of this type of crown. Metal crowns are a good choice for out-of-sight molars.

#2. Porcelain-fused-to-metal:

This type of dental crown is matched with the color of the teeth which is next to the crown. These type dental crown are more natural than the tooth color. However, sometimes the metal under the crown’s porcelain cap shows through as a dark line. Other cons include the chance of the crown’s porcelain portion chipping or breaking off and the crown wearing down the teeth opposite it within the mouth.

 This wear on the other teeth specifically affects the teeth that come into contact with the crown on the top and bottom of your mouth when it’s closed. Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth.

#3. All-resin:

The dental crowns which are made out of resin are generally less expensive in comparison to other crowns. Though these types of crowns are the less expensive ones but they wear down over time and they are more likely to break than compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

#4. All-ceramic or all-porcelain:

If you are the one who is allergic to any kind of metal then in that case these types of dental crowns would work. These types of dental crowns provide the best natural color match compared to any other crown type.

However, these dental crowns are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. They can also wear down the teeth which is opposite them in the mouth a little more than metal or resin crowns. But All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for your front teeth.

#5. Pressed ceramic:

These type of dental crowns have a harder inner core. Pressed ceramic dental crowns replace the metal liner which is used in the all-ceramic crown-making process. Pressed ceramic crowns are capped with porcelain, which provides the best natural color match. They’re also more long-lasting than compared to an all-porcelain crown.

So these were the different types of the dental crowns one could opt for, now you should also know that how your tooth is prepared before the dental crown.

How Is The Tooth Prepared For A Dental Crown?

Before the procedure of dental crown starts you typically have two visits to the dentist in order to prepare for a dental crowning. While in some cases, you may have a dental crown made in your dentist’s office.

During the first visit:

During the time of first visit, the tooth that is going to receive the crown gets examined and is prepared. X-rays are taken of the tooth and the bone surrounding the tooth. Your dentist might have to do a root canal treatment before your dental crown procedure if there’s any:

Risk of infection.

Injury to the tooth’s pulp. Pulp is the soft tissue inside your teeth that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue.

The tooth which is receiving the crown will be filed down across the top and sides. Doing this will make space for the crown itself. The amount of tooth that gets filed away depends on the type of crown that is going to get fitted. All-metal dental crowns are thinner and don’t need as much of the tooth removed as all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. If too much of your tooth is missing this could be due to damage or decay then during this case a filling material can be used in order to “build up” enough tooth structure for the crown to cover.

After reshaping the tooth is done, a paste or putty is used to make a copy of the tooth that is going to receive the crown. Impressions of the teeth above and below the tooth that’s getting the dental crown will also be made. This is done in order to make sure that the crown will not affect your bite.

The impressions are then sent to a dental laboratory. The laboratory which makes the crowns and usually returns them to the dentist’s office in two to three weeks. During the time of first office visit, your dentist will make a temporary crown in order to cover and protect the prepared tooth while you are waiting on the permanent crown.

During the second visit:

While the time of second visit, the permanent crown gets placed on your tooth. First, the temporary crown is removed and the fittings and color of the permanent crown is checked. If everything is okay, a local anesthetic is sometimes used in order to numb the tooth and the new crown gets permanently cemented in the place.

What Problems Can Develop With A Dental Crown?

There are several issues that you might experience over time with your crown, some of the discomforts are discussed below:

#1. Discomfort or sensitivity:

A newly crowned tooth might be sensitive immediately after the procedure is completed as because the anesthesia begins to wear off. If the crowned tooth still has got a nerve in it, you may experience some heat and cold sensitivity during that time.

During this situation your dentist might recommend that you brush your teeth with toothpaste which is designed for sensitive teeth. Pain or sensitivity that happens when you bite down usually means that the crown is too high on the tooth and due to this reason it gives an uncomfortable feeling. If this is the case, call your dentist to fix the problem.

#2. Chipped crown:

Crowns made of all porcelain can sometimes chip. Small chips can be repaired and the crown can still remain into your mouth. The dental crown may need to be replaced if the chip is large or it can also be replaced when there are many chips.

#3. Loose crown:

Sometimes, the cement that holds the crown on can wash out from under the crown. Not only does this allow the crown to become loose, it allows leads the bacteria to leak in and cause decaying to the tooth that remains. If your crown feels loose then in that case you need to contact with your dentist in order to get the problem fixed.

#4. Crown falls off:

A dental crown can actually fall off. Whenever any such situation like this happens, it occurs usually due to an improper fit or a lack of cement. If any such situation happens to you like this, then you should immediately reach out to your dentist’s office.

#5. Allergic reaction:

The metals used for make dental crowns are often a mixture of several metals. You can have an allergic reaction to the metal or porcelain that is used for maling the dental crown. However, this occurs very rarely.

#6. Dark line on crowned tooth next to the gum line:

 You might see a dark line which is next to the gum line of your crowned tooth. This is normal particularly if you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. This dark line is simply the metal of the crown showing through.

#7. Gum disease:

If you notice that your gums around your crown are getting sore or irritated, or if this area starts to bleed, then you might be developing gingivitis, or any kind of gum disease.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

On average, dental crowns last between five and 15 years. The life span of a crown can depend on the amount of “wear and tear” the crown is exposed to. The life space of the dental crown also depends on how well you are following oral hygiene practices and personal mouth-related habits. These mouth-related habits can include things like:

#a. grinding or clenching your teeth.

#b. chewing ice.

#c. biting your fingernails.

#d. using your teeth to open packaging.

Does A Crowned Tooth Require Any Special Care?

Well, a crowned tooth does not requires any special care. However, the underlying tooth still needs to be protected and requires case as they can face tooth decaying or gum diseases. Because of this, you should continue to follow good oral hygiene practices. The good oral practices includes brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day especially around the crown area where the gum meets your tooth. Other than that you should also, avoid biting on hard surfaces with porcelain crowns in order to prevent cracking the porcelain.

What Are There Alternatives To Dental Crowns?

There are several alternatives to dental crowns. If you want to improve discoloration, then veneers are the best option. Veneers are thin layers which are fixed onto the front surface of a tooth. If your tooth is chipped, then in that case your dentist may also try to rebuild your tooth structure using filling material.

FAQ’s:

By now you have known almost everything related to the dental crown, below discussed are the few questions related to dental crowning.

#1. How long do dental crowns last?

Around 5 to 15 years is the average lifespan of a dental crown. Dental crowns should last around 15 years if there is a proper maintenance. If patients take good care of the crown, they can last up to 30 years.

#2. Is it painful to get a crown?

Getting a crown should not hurt cause you may not fill any more pain or discomfort than a typical filling. Your dentist will make sure that they put a local numbing jelly on your teeth, gums and surrounding tissues, but there is usually an anesthetic injected as well, and during that time you might feel a small pinch.

#3. Can I eat after having a crown?

After the dental crowning procedure is done you only have to wait for 30 to 45 minutes before you eat anything. Though you might eat but you need to remember not to chew where your crown is even in the days following the procedure. It is better to eat soft foods during this time.

#4. Can you do a crown without a root canal?

Technically, you don’t always need a root canal treatment before you are getting a dental crown. Sometimes a dental crown improves the appearance of a stained or discolored tooth. While the dentist may stain the tooth’s enamel, the inside of the tooth isn’t compromised, and therefore a root canal isn’t necessary.

#5. What to avoid after getting a crown?

Avoid chewy or sticky foods, such as caramel, taffy, and gum. As these foods can grab and pull out the crown. Avoid chewing hard foods, such as granola, hard candy, and ice can lead to problems.

#6. What is the most natural crown?

Full porcelain dental crowns are still often the best option. Many people feel full porcelain offers the most lifelike appearance.

#7. What is cheaper than a crown?

Tooth extraction is generally the cheapest alternative to a dental crown although certainly the least desirable. The important thing is to choose what is right for you, and what falls under your budget.

#8. Can I get a filling instead of a crown?

Depending on the extent of tooth decay, your dentist might recommend either a cavity filling or dental crown. Dental crowns are typically used in order to treat severely damaged teeth, while filings generally treat minor tooth decay and damages.

#9. Is a permanent filling better than crown?

One of the most significant differences between crowns and fillings is that one protects the teeth significantly more than the other. Crowns can help in strengthening the teeth because they reinforce them. This is because they encase the tooth entirely. It can withstand force without the risk of being damaged.

#10. How do you clean under a crown?

Patients who have a dental crown as part of an implant should use a soft-bristled toothbrush for not less than twice a day. As for the type of toothpaste, it is important to select a non-abrasive formula. The individual needs to brush around and under the dental crown as much as possible.

It is surprising to know that almost 44% of people worldwide don’t get their tooth decay treated. There’s more to this story though. Almost 30% of senior citizens don’t have any natural teeth, and about 90% of school-goers suffer from tooth decay. Also, at least 91% of Americans at least have one tooth cavity by their 21st birthday. Now that we know these statistics, it is safe to assume that the dental health and oral hygiene routine requires an update. Thus, here is a list of dental hygiene hacks that can help you start and end your day!

#1. ALWAYS BRUSH YOUR TEETH BEFORE BED

The American Dental Association expresses that oral bacteria can start spreading as quickly as minutes after finishing your meal. They can even start causing decay in about 20 minutes time. This calculation makes it pretty easier for us to understand the amount of damage these bacteria can cause during the 8 hours of bedtime. This can be avoided or at least controlled if you make sure to brush and floss your teeth and clean your tongue every night before retiring to your bed. This removes the leftover food that was stuck in between your teeth and stops the germs from spreading and causing tooth decay.

#2. DON’T NEGLECT YOUR TONGUE

People often tend to pay more heed to their teeth and gums, but their tongue doesn’t get the required amount of attention. We cannot emphasize the importance of cleaning your tongue along with taking care of your teeth. Considering, the tongue takes up most of the space inside the mouth, it certainly makes more sense to clean it every time while cleaning your mouth. Otherwise, the tongue is prone to accumulating the breeding germs and becoming their breeding ground, resulting in tooth decay and bad breath. It is important to gently scrape and clean both sides of your tongue, twice a day.

#3. USE MOUTHWASH REGULARLY

Less than 50% of Americans use mouthwash as a part of their oral health routine. This was claimed by the US National Library of Medicine. A good mouth-washing liquid is as important as a toothbrush, floss, and tongue cleaner. It plays a significant role in promoting good oral health and lessens the chances of having bad breath. Mouth washing liquids can reach the nook, crannies, and crevices inside the mouth that is impossible for toothbrushes to reach. It has been decades since it has been proven that mouth washing liquids can obliterate up to 99.9% of the bacteria inside the mouth and save the teeth from plaque, tartar, bad breath, and gingivitis.

#4. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Drinking enough water during the day not only benefits your oral health but also brings your overall health back to track. In a recent study, it has been found that American adults are drinking enough water. Having said that, only 30% of that is coming from plain water. The rest of it comes from sodas, food, juices and other kinds of consumable liquids. While it is important to stay hydrated, it is also important that a decent percentage of that hydration comes from water for your oral health to be beneficial. Not just that, it can also protect your teeth against the sugar that comes from sodas and juices, and can cause damage. Water, as already harped upon, also takes away the stubborn food particles along with it.

#5. IMPLEMENT A VITAMIN-RICH DIET

Maintaining a solid oral hygiene regimen is the best thing that you can do for your mouth. It cannot be completely achieved if you don’t add vitamin rich food into your diet. Vitamin-rich food helps your body get the necessary nutrients, giving you a healthier life style.

#6. VISIT YOUR DENTIST TWICE A YEAR FOR CHECKUPS

Visiting your dentist at least twice a year, is as important all other steps. Besides getting your teeth cleaned by professionals, your dental experts can also help you detect early signs of dental and other serious diseases that might need immediate attention. Multiple diseases can be detected by the condition of your gums and teeth, by your dentist.

If you haven’t visited your dentist’s office in sometime, it’s about time that you visit their office and repeat the process every six months for the sake of your oral health.

 #7. SEE A DENTIST REGULARLY

A dentist can diagnose and treat oral health issues before the ship’s sailed. It is seen that people who visit their dentist every 6 months for dental examinations, have a better dental hygiene condition. Besides, they also get to know about any impending ailment that might need attention. During the routine check-up, the expert will also clean out the plaque and hardened tartar if any.

The dentist will also check for symptoms that will lead to cavity, gum disease, mouth cancer and other health issues. They even get X-rays to find out about the condition of the teeth in detail.

In a recent study, it was confirmed that children, pre-teens and teenagers should visit their dentists every 6 months to save their mouth from cavities. Adults who have a good dental healthcare regime are likely less susceptible to the oral health problems and can do with lesser visits to their dentists.

However, the ideal number of dental check-ups, for both kids and adults, is yet to reach its conclusive state. The researchers are still at it.

Until then, please speak to your dentist about the frequency of your visits to your dentist’s office. This largely depends on the medical history, age, and overall dental health. However, if you find minor changes in your dental or oral conditions, it’s recommended that you visit your dentist with further procrastination.

#8. Do not smoke

 It is no news that smoking is injurious to health. It harms the immune system of the body, which makes it difficult for the body tissues to heal and recover, including those in the mouth. While the CDC list smoking as one of the risk factors for gum disease. ADA, on the other hand warns people that they might experience slow healing after a dental procedure if they are smoking.

Smoking also affects the appearance of the mouth. The layer of nicotine that gets accumulated above over the layer of enamel, makes your teeth look yellowish and dirty. It also causes your tongue to appear yellowish and can give you bad breath.

Tips for kids

Teaching your kids the benefits of maintaining a good oral care regimen, to take care of their teeth and gums is one of the most important steps.

A child’s primary teeth is as important as their permanent teeth. The baby’s teeth enables the child to chew and speak. They are almost like the placeholders for future permanent teeth.

If a child loses a baby tooth to decay, this can interrupt with the space distribution for the teeth in the mouth, making it difficult for the adult tooth to develop correctly and in its usual place.

With this in mind, it is advisable to introduce good dental care for children from their very infancy. The practices given below will help keep a child’s teeth and gums safe and healthy:

Wipe a baby’s gums with a warm, wet washcloth or any clean cloth every day, even before they have developed any teeth. Doing this removes residual sugars or starch from the gums. This can help a baby become familiar with the idea and feeling of cleaning their teeth.

 Prevent the babies and toddlers from going to bed with bottles or sippy mugs. Milk and juice contain sugars, which can cause tooth decay if they remain on the teeth during their bedtime.

As a baby approaches 1 year of age, start getting them habituated to a sippy cup. Aim to absolutely stop using bottles by their first birthday.

Allow babies to sip water from sippy mugs between their meals, but restrict juice or milk for meal times only.

Once a baby has developed teeth, brush them twice a day with a soft baby toothbrush. Use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste, no bigger than a grain of rice. Children who are 3 to 6 years of age may use slightly more, almost a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Parents or caregivers should brush the child’s teeth for them until they can clean all of their teeth properly without assistance. Make sure that they spit out the toothpaste.

Keep the toothpaste out of children’s reach when it is not in use, for their own safety.

The ADA had advised that children should see a dentist within 6 months of their first tooth appearing or at 1 year of age, whichever happens earlier.

Parents or caregivers should not share eating utensils with a child or clean pacifiers by putting them in their own mouth. It’s a breach of their hygiene because, both of these actions can pass on the adult’s cavity-causing bacteria to the child.

You are what you eat- that’s particularly true for your teeth and gums. We are not the only ones who love starchy and sugary food. As it turns out, the bacteria in our mouths like them as well. These bacteria are the ones responsible for gum disease and tooth decay.

Including a variety of nutrient-rich food from all kinds of food groups benefits and promotes healthy gum and teeth. This means you are going to have to maintain a healthy and balanced diet comprising, fruits, vegetables, calcium and protein rich foods.

So, which foods are best for teeth and gum health?

Some of the best foods for strong teeth are fresh fruits and vegetables owing to their high nutritional value and added teeth cleaning benefits.

Then, there’s calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese, fortified soy milk drinks, tofu, canned salmon, almonds and  green leafy vegetables that  promote the development of  stronger and healthy teeth and bones. Chewing on crunchy foods gets enables the saliva flow, which along with water, helps to rinse away plaque causing bacteria and left over food particles.

Cheese, Milk, and Yogurt

Cheese is one of the best food items for the promotion of healthy teeth for a large number of reasons. Firstly, it is low in sugar content and high in calcium. It contains casein, which is a protein that plays a significant role in fortifying and strengthening the tooth enamel. Cheese is also calcium- rich, which is crucial for the maintenance of a healthy bone density. Cheese is also very high in phosphate content, which balances pH levels in the mouth, which helps in the preservation of the tooth enamel. Another great reason cheese is a friend to our teeth, as mentioned earlier, is that chewing it increases saliva secretion that helps to rinse away bacteria in the mouth.

Besides, good and old fashioned fluoridated water, milk is the best drink when it concerns your teeth. It’s calcium-rich. Milk, like cheese, also lowers and balances the acid levels in the mouth, which enables fighting tooth decay and cavities.

Yogurt is filled with calcium- content and most importantly probiotics that defend you and your teeth against cavities, bad breath and gum disease.

Celery, Carrots, and Other Crunchy Veggies

 Vegetables are good for teeth because they require a lot of chewing to. Crunchy foods items that contain lots of water are also known as natural teeth cleaners because they promote the secretion of saliva, which helps to scrape away left-over food particles and bacteria. These fresh and crunchy vegetables are usually also rich in some of the most crucial vitamins and minerals for your oral health.

Celery can also be called nature’s dental floss. The fibrous and crunchy texture makes for a very effective natural teeth cleanser.

In addition to being a storehouse of a lot of nutrients, carrots are also known to fight cavities. Carrots are rich in vitamin C, calcium and keratins, and these also offer dental benefits. Consuming fresh carrots also helps you cleanse your teeth, almost like a natural toothbrush. When combined with your saliva, carrots also help to clean stain-causing bacteria and food particles.

 Leafy Greens (Spinach, Lettuce, Kale)

Supremely healthy, leafy greens are packed with calcium, folic acid and umpteen other important vitamins and minerals that your teeth and gums could benefit from. Crunchy and fresh greens in salads and sandwiches also help in cleaning your teeth, gut and overall health.

  Apples and Pears

Can an apple a day also keep the dentist away? Probably not, but it can certainly help. Including apples or other hard fibrous fruits in your diet can help clean your teeth and increases the secretion of saliva, which can neutralize corrosive acids like citric and malic acids that are left-over in your mouth.  While apple juice with sugar and preservatives might add to the process of tooth decay, fresh apples are less likely to cause trouble inside your mouth. Chewing the fibrous texture of apples, specifically the skin, stimulates your gums, further taking down the number of cavity-causing bacteria and increasing the secretion of saliva.

Unlike many acidic fruits, raw pears are known to neutralize acids in your mouth that promote tooth decay.

Nuts

Nuts can benefit your teeth like none other. They are packed with tons of important nutrients like phosphorus and calcium. Nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts and cashews, which help to defend your mouth against bacteria that cause tooth decay. For instance, peanuts are one of the best source of calcium and vitamin D.  Almonds contain good amounts of calcium, which promotes teeth and gum health.  Cashews are also known to stimulate saliva and walnuts contain everything from fiber, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, iron, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium and zinc.

 Meats and Fatty Fish

 Meats are known to offer some of the most significant nutrients mentioned above, and chewing of meat produces saliva. More saliva is definitely good, because it decreases acidity in your mouth and cleans particles of food that promote tooth decay. Red meat and organic meats are especially helpful. Fatty fish (like salmon), and tofu are rich in minerals like phosphorus, an important for protecting the tooth enamel against erosion and decay

 Tea and Coffee

Polyphenols are a category of naturally appearing chemicals that are found in many of the foods and drinks that we consume, including teas, coffee and other associated beverages. They are known to have several health benefits, including their function as antioxidants, which can combat cell damage. They are also effective in subsiding inflammation and helping to fight cancer. Green and black teas are rich in polyphenols and have umpteen number of other health benefits.

 Cranberries and Raisins (Fresh or Sugar Free)

Cranberries contain a large amount polyphenols (just like tea) and are known to provide antioxidant benefits. Fresh cranberries are especially effective at disrupting the process of plaque formation. Having said that, you must also know that some packaged and  dried or dehydrated cranberries contain a lot of added sugar that isn’t so good for teeth or overall health

Root Canal Treatment: A Complete Guide to Everything

Sometimes, it so happens that the bacteria successfully penetrate the teeth and attack the pulp of the teeth, and causes in infection. When this happens, you are going to need to get root canal therapy to save your tooth. During this procedure, the dental expert removes the infected pulp and seals the tooth to prevent reinfection in the future.

What is a root canal?

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that is used to provide relief from the pain caused by an abscessed or infected tooth. During the process of a root canal. The inflamed or decaying pulp is removed from the teeth. Then, the surface inside the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, and then filled and sealed to prevent further infection.

When is a root canal needed?

Root canal therapy becomes necessary then the oral bacteria penetrate the tooth and attacks the pulp. Situations like this usually occur if a cavity is left untreated and not paid heed to for a long time. This might also happen if a tooth cracks or gets damaged because of trauma. 

What are some symptoms that indicate you may need root canal treatment?

It is possible that you might not even know that you have an infected tooth.  However, people sometimes notice certain specific symptoms. Given below is a list of indicators that you are going to need a root canal: 

Toothache that doesn’t go away:

 Multiple kinds of dental problems can give rise to tooth pain. If you experience sharp pain in your tooth, chances are you might need root canal therapy. Discomforting pain might also spread to your other teeth, jaw, or face.

Sensitivity to heat and cold:

 If you feel a sharp pain in your tooth or your tooth hurts when you drink something hot or eat something cold, it could possibly indicate that you need root canal treatment. This is especially true if the sharp pain persists for more than a few seconds or happens every time you consume hot or cold food.

Swollen gums:

When a tooth gets infected, puss can sometimes get collected in the area. This can lead to sensitivity. puffy, swollen, or tender gums.

Pimple on the gums:

You might notice the development of a pimple or boil on the gums. Puss from the infected tooth might sometimes drain from the pimple, leading to an unpleasant taste or smell.

Swollen jaw:

Oftentimes the accumulated puss doesn’t drain from the site. As a consequence, your jaw might become visibly sensitive and swollen.

Tooth discoloration:

When the pulp of a tooth gets infected, it might lead your tooth to look darker than usual. This happens primarily because of poor or little blood supply to the infected tooth.

Pain when pressure is applied:

 If you ever pain when you eat or touch your tooth, it might be an indication that the sensory nerves around the pulp are damaged.

A chipped or cracked tooth:

 If you’ve ever cracked a tooth in a trauma or in an accident, might be while playing sports or even by biting down on something hard, bacteria can use this crack to reach all the way into the tooth pulp and infect it.

Loose tooth:

An infected tooth might feel looser in the root. This is because the pus from the infected pulp can soften the bone that supports the tooth.

How common is root canal therapy?

The American Association of Endodontists says that over 41000 root canals are performed in the United States on a daily basis.  When added up, it logically means that more than 15 million root canals are taken care of every year.

How should I prepare for root canal treatment?

Before beginning your root canal therapy, you can clarify with your dental expert and doctors any questions that you might have about the procedure. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your root canal therapy:

Take all medications as prescribed:

You might be prescribed antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications a few days before your appointment, especially if there is a whole lot of infection present.

Don’t smoke:

Tobacco products are specifically known to interfere with your body’s ability to heal itself and immunity. Avoid smoking at least for several days before your root canal appointment — and maybe avoid it completely if you’re able to.

Eat a healthy meal:  

Since the local anesthesia used during root canal therapy will make your mouth numb for a few hours, it’s a good idea to eat before your appointment.

How long does a root canal take?

based on the amount of infection that’s spread in your tooth, root canal therapy might need one or two appointments. root canal therapy approximately takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. If you are getting the treatment on a larger tooth which is supposed to have multiple roots, it might also take up to an hour or more.

What happens during the root canal process?

Before getting started with the process of a root canal, your doctor and dental expert will take dental X-rays of the infected tooth. This helps the determination process of the extent of the disaster and makes sure that root canal therapy is the kind of treatment option. Here are the steps that will be maintained, possibly chronologically during your root canal procedure:

Anesthesia.

At the very beginning, local anesthesia is an injection to numb the infected tooth and the surrounding gums and area of the mouth. There are also medicines used in the domain of dental sciences to help you relax (muscle relaxants), such as nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, or intravenous (IV) sedation. Your doctor or dental health expert may recommend sedation if you happen to experience dental anxiety.

Dental dam placement.

Before getting started with root canal therapy, a small rubber dam is placed over the area that is going to be treated. This separates and isolates the tooth and keeps it dry during the procedure.

Access hole.

For the next step, a small incision or an opening is made in the crown of the tooth, for the dentist to be able to reach the pulp.

Pulp removal.

Tiny dental instruments are used to remove the nerves, blood vessels, and tissues inside the tooth.

Shaping the canals.

Once the pulp has been safely removed, the pulp chamber ( the place where the pulp previously existed) and root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and properly and correctly shaped.

Filling the canals.

Following that, the empty canals are then filled with a flexible, rubbery dental material called gutta-percha. This takes the space of the previously existing pulp, and adds to the structure and strength of the teeth.

Sealing the tooth.

After the temporary dental filling is placed to seal the tooth and prevent bacteria from re-entering and causing the teeth to get infected again.

Placing the final restoration.

In the majority of cases, it is seen that you’ll need a dental crown to protect the treated tooth and restore your bite. dental crowns are usually customized, and fabrication usually takes about two to three weeks’ time. When your crown is ready, the temporary filling is then removed and the permanent crown is placed over the infected tooth. In some instances, you might be able to get hold of your dental crown during the same appointment.

Do root canals hurt?

Many people are afraid they’ll have tooth pain after root canal therapy. However, because the source of infection is removed during the procedure, most people find immediate relief following treatment. If you are experiencing throbbing pain after a root canal, call your healthcare provider right away.

What should I expect after a root canal?

it is most likely for you to not experience any significant pain after a root canal procedure, you might notice some sensitivity for a few initial days. These symptoms are nothing abnormal and can be easily taken care of with prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. In the majority of cases, the side effects lessen within a week or two, depending on the size of the tooth.

Who should perform my root canal procedure?

Root canal therapy is usually handled by a general dentist or an endodontist (a professional root canal specialist). General dentists are completely capable of treating the teeth near the front of the mouth since they comprise comparatively fewer roots. If you happen to require root canal therapy on a tooth with comparatively more number of roots — or if your case is complex — then the chances are that your case will be referred to an endodontist.

RISKS / BENEFITS

What are the advantages of having a root canal procedure?

There are multiple advantages of opting for root canal therapy. This treatment can:

 It can prevent infection from spreading to other teeth.

 It can also ease the symptoms associated with an infected tooth.

It is also known to reduce the risk of jawbone damage.

It will also eliminate the requirement for tooth extraction.

Are root canals safe?

Root canals are effective and safe. This procedure boasts amazing and impressive success rates of up to 98%. Sounds like a good option, doesn’t it?

What are common failed root canal symptoms?

Root canal complications are extremely rare; however, might occur in some cases. Situations like this might occur if your tooth is way too damaged for this type of treatment, or has passed the stage where the mischief could have been managed by root canal therapy.  Failed root canal symptoms can include:

Sharp pain

Swollen gums.

Puss or drainage.

Tooth discoloration.

Pimples, boil, or Inflammation on the gums.

Sinus problems.

What if my root canal fails?

In case your root canal fails, your dental expert or doctor will explore the other alternative options with you. In multiple cases, root canal retreatment might also be possible. Or, it may be time to discuss alternative procedures. Situations like this might occur if your tooth is way too damaged for this type of treatment, or has passed the stage where the mischief could have been managed by root canal therapy.

What are the alternatives to root canal treatment?

Unfortunately, the only alternative to root canal therapy sometimes is tooth removal. Even though, the dental experts try to save natural teeth whenever possible, and it’s for the best. Extraction might sometimes become necessary to preserve your overall oral health.

If you’re not an appropriate and suitable candidate for a root canal therapy, the tooth can then be uprooted and then replaced with a dental implant, dental bridge or partial. To find out more about root canal vs extraction, get in touch with your dental expert as soon as possible, especially if you think you need either of the two.

How long does root canal recovery take?

Typically, a root canal recovery process lasts about a week, less if not more.  You might experience mild discomfort for a few days, but this can be easily managed and taken care of with medication. If you seem to experience sharp or severe pain or discomfort that lasts longer than a week, that is your cue to get in touch with your dental health expert or endodontist as soon as possible.

Can I eat after a root canal?

Yes. However, it is recommended to wait and rest your mouth until the numbness wears off. The effects of the anaesthesia usually do not last more than a few hours.

Stick with foods that are easy on your teeth. Comparatively softer food like pastas, mashed potatoes and yogurts for the first couple of days. Start consumption of solid food as your comfort level improves. Some dentists also recommend the consumption of ice creams and cold frozen desserts.

You should also try to steer clear of biting or chewing with the treated tooth. In simpler words don’t pressurize your treated tooth. Try to chew on the other side of your mouth, as much as possible until your permanent dental installation is in order.

Can you drive after a root canal?

It depends on the kind of anaesthesia you have been given. If you had been injected local anaesthesia or nitrous oxide during your procedure, then you can drive yourself to and from your dental appointment. People who choose to get a sedative orally or IV sedation will probably need a pal or someone from their family to drive them around.

Can you smoke after a root canal?

It isn’t advisable.  As already mentioned, smoking interferes with healing and increases the chances that you’ll need more dental work in the future.

What are some root canal aftercare tips?

After you have got the root canal treatment, you are going to keep the area clean. Brush and floss normally, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep germs at bay. If you still are at the mercy of a temporary filling and are yet to receive your permanent crown, steer clear from chewing on the treated tooth until the crown has reached you.

How long do the results of a root canal last?

Considering all dental procedures, results are not exactly guaranteed. However, when root canal therapy is performed in proper order, results can last for a long time — even the rest of your life sometimes.

How to Care for a Root Canal Treated Tooth

If you have just gotten yourself a root canal, and now you need to care for your treated tooth. You must take special care immediately following the procedure. Your temporary filling needs to stay put until the permanent crown has been placed. Until then, you have to be extremely cautious with your tooth.

Caring for a root canal treated tooth right after the procedure

After getting your permanent crown or filling, patients can deal with a root canal-treated tooth like any random tooth. But you definitely need to brush and floss daily, only then you can eat your favourite foods. Until then patients are required to follow a specific set of guidelines. These guidelines are designed to protect the treated tooth and temporary crown or filling.

Brush and floss gently

It is necessary for you to keep the area clean after a root canal treatment is done. However, aggressive brushing puts way too much pressure on the treated area and can dislocate the temporary filling or crown. It is recommended that you use a soft-bristled brush, gently clean the tooth and then floss, again gently. try not to force the floss between the teeth. If it does not slide between the teeth as smoothly as it should, seek help from the dentist. The filling might be needing to be reshaped to let dental floss through the teeth.

Rinse the mouth

Cleanliness and hygiene are important after a root canal procedure. Besides brushing and flossing, patients are advised to use a saltwater rinse multiple times a day for the first three days after the therapy. Mix table salt with lukewarm water and rinse for several seconds.  Again, do not go overboard with the rinsing, because that too might harm the tooth.

Eat soft foods

When patients have a temporary filling or crown, it is important to avoid hard, crunchy or chewy foods, which won’t be as easy on the mouth. These food items are capable of dislocating the temporary filling or crown, baring the nerves and making them susceptible to further damage. Comparatively softer food items are ideal for consumption immediately following a root canal. Food items such as soup bring to the body the much-needed nourishment without aggravating the conditions of the treated tooth. Food items should preferably be lukewarm to prevent causing sensitivity.

Avoid putting pressure on the tooth

Immediately after a root canal, it is necessary for you to avoid putting too much stress on the tooth. Patients of a root canal are advised to chew on the opposite side until the permanent crown or filling is received. Again, it is important for patients who grind their teeth to put on mouthguards. They should consistently use the mouthguards, even after the permanent crown or filling is placed. Mouthguards mitigate the effects of grinding, protecting your pearly whites and dental installations.

Listen to the dentist’s instructions

Dentists give their patients a list of care instructions after root canal procedures. Dentists often advise different oral hygiene habits based on the procedure and the installation. Someone who has tonnes of decaying parts removed with the tooth, for instance, might require to simply rinse in place of brushing for multiple following days. Patients are required to follow this set of instructions to prevent themselves from causing any further damage to the new dental installation and the other teeth.

Care for your teeth and restorations

After you have gotten yourself a root canal, you are required to brush and floss the tooth as gently as possible, immediately after the procedure. You will be advised to rinse your mouth with salt water, consume comparatively softer foods that will be easy on the teeth and not to put pressurise your mouth. Try listening to your dentist’s specific instructions, because chances are that they know the condition of your dental and oral health, and have customised the set of instructions specifically for you. after you have received your permanent crown or filling, you can conveniently go back to your normal oral hygiene and eating routine, but try not to go overboard.

A joyous smile is what everyone wants. A whitened and picture-perfect smile comes by maintaining a salubrious oral health. In order to maintain a beautiful you need to maintain your oral health as well as you need to go for regular dental checkups too.

If you do not maintain a good oral health then there are numerous oral diseases which takes away the radiance of your smile. You end up developing some severe gum diseases such as periodontitis in that case you would require tooth scaling and root planing. Tooth scaling and root planing is done for the removal of tartar and for treating inflamed gums.

This procedure is used in order to scrape off the hardened tartar on the surface of the teeth and roots. These treatments helps in protecting your smile and also does the prevention of tooth loss, gums and bones. Let us know more about tooth scaling and root planning.

What Are Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

Both tooth scaling and root planing are known as deep cleaning in the field of dentistry. This procedure is performed in order to get rid of the hardened up tartar on the top of teeth and roots. You might require these treatments if you are suffering from periodontitis which is also known as an advanced gum disease.

Whereas tooth scaling helps in the removal of tartar from the surface of your teeth. Root planing removes tartar from the roots of your teeth which is located below your gum line.

Who Performs Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

Dentists and periodontists who are also known as gum disease specialists are the ones who offers the treatments of gum disease.  The procedure is usually done by a dental hygienist. Both the procedures of tooth scaling and root planing takes place during the same dental visit. In that case you would usually need more than one appointment in order to do the treatment of your teeth.

When Does One Requires Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

If you are the one who is already prone to periodontal disease then in that case you are at the higher risk of developing periodontitis disease when you get older. And according to the survey nearly 3 in 4 adults over the age of 65 have the problems of periodontal disease and in that case you require tooth scaling and root planing.

In order to save yourself from gum and tooth diseases kids and adults should have their teeth cleaned via scaling for at least twice each year. Periodontal problems can cause tooth decay and gum infections too.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Periodontitis?

Some of the risk factors of periodontitis includes:

#1. Diabetes.

#2. Family history of gum disease.

#3. Several health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

#4. Hormonal changes which are related to oral health, such as pregnancy gingivitis or those brought on by certain types of birth control.

#5. Improperly fitted dental bridges or defective dental fillings.

#6. Overbite or crooked teeth (malocclusion).

#7. Poor oral hygiene.

#8. Smoking.

#9. Stress.

When Do You Require Teeth Scaling?

Your dentist would recommend for teeth scaling and root planing if your mouth is suffering from the signs of chronic periodontal disease. These procedures helps to stop the harmful effects of the condition and also keeps your mouth healthy.

Chronic periodontal disease occurs when the bacteria in plaque cause your gums to pull away from your teeth. This in turn causes large pockets to grow between your teeth and gums, and within these pockets more bacteria can grow in such places where you cannot clean only through brushing.

Hence it is an essential thing to floss after brushing your teeth as because there are several places in the area of your mouth were the bacteria thrives but the toothbrush cannot clean it alone. That’s why it’s key to floss regularly to reach spots that toothbrushes can’t.

So What Happens To You If There Is An Untreated, Chronic Periodontal Disease?

If the chronical periodontal disease is left untreated then it can lead to

#1. Bone and tissue loss

#2. Tooth loss

#3. Loose teeth

#4. Moving teeth

Why Chronic Periodontal Disease Does Occurs?

Some of the reasons why chronic periodontal disease occurs is because of

#1. Poor dental hygiene

#2. Smoking

#3. Aging

#4. Changes in hormones

#5. Poor nutrition

#6. Family history

#7. Other medical conditions

You may experience deep pockets in between your gums and teeth due to chronic periodontal disease, but there are several other symptoms of the condition, which includes:

#1. Bleeding gums

#2. Inflamed, red, or tender gums

#3. Bad breath

#4. Shifting permanent teeth

#5. A change in your bite

How One Should Prepare For A Deep Teeth Cleaning?

There is no particular rule which you need to follow or prepare before scaling or root planing. Though some dentists might recommend you to rinse your mouth with a very strong antiseptic mouthwash. Some dentists recommend this because there would be a lot of bacteria transferred to your blood during the process of root planing.

Apart from rinsing the mouth with a mouthwash, you can also follow several other oral health habits like oil pulling, oral probiotics, and eating a low-carbohydrate and low-sugar diet to drive down inflammation.

Doing this will not only help in preparing your immune system for brief exposure to more bacteria, but it will also help you make the first steps for halting gum diseases. If you’re concerned about sensitivity or pain, you can also use an over-the-counter pain reliever before the procedure.

What Occurs Before Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

Periodontal diseases are something which usually don’t end up causing pain. Your dentist might diagnose you with periodontitis during the process of dental check-up. Dentist might also get the dental X-rays done in order to look into problems like cavities, an abscessed tooth, tooth infection or bone loss. If you are having periodontitis, then in that case your provider would discuss the treatment options with you. Tooth scaling and root planing will take place during a future appointment.

What You Should Expect From Tooth Scaling And Root Planing Treatments?

The deep dental cleaning is done below the gum line in order to remove tartar from each teeth, and including the roots too. In order to minimize any kind of discomfort or pain your dentist would numb your mouth’s area with the help of a local anesthetic. Then you’re awake for the procedures.

What Happens During The Time Of Tooth Scaling?

Your dentist uses a vibrating tool which is known as an ultrasonic scaler in order to perform the scaling process. These steps may take place during tooth scaling:

A vibrating metal tip on the scaler helps in scraping the tartar off of your teeth and above your gum line. A water spray on the scaler washes away the tartar and flushes plaque from the gum pockets.

The dentist uses a manual dental scaler and a scraping device which is known as curette in order to remove small remaining pieces of tartar.

What Happens During Root Planing?

Root planing is just like tooth scaling the only difference is it takes place on the roots of your teeth which sits below your gum line.

During the process of root planing, your dentist would use a tool in order to gently push aside your gum tissue and doing this exposes the surface of the roots.

Then your dentist uses the same tooth scaling tools for chipping tartar from the roots, and this maks the tooth smooth. At times, they may also inject an antibiotic medication directly into any gum pockets.

What Is The Difference Between Scaling & Root Planing?

By now you have known what is root planing and scaling and how both the procedure is performed. But what is the difference in between these procedures? Keep o reading and you get to know the key differences in between the two procedures.

Root planning is the procedure in which any area of the tooth root that is infected by bacteria gets cleaned. This treatment involves the removal of plaque and tartar and also smooths the roots of the tooth where it sits beneath the gum line.

Whereas scaling is done in order to clear away the tartar and plaque which gets accumulated on surface of the teeth that is located above the gum line. Both of these procedures are a vital thing in order to maintain a good oral and dental health.

What Happens After Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

Now that you have got a clear idea on the differences of root planing and tooth scaling. Now a question might arise in your mind that what happens after tooth scaling and root planing? After the process of tooth scaling and root planing is performed bacteria and plaque are less likely to stick to the smooth surfaces of your treated teeth’s enamel.

Not just that after the procedure is done there are less chances of inflammation as your gums begin to heal. Your healthy gums can get reattached more firmly to the smoothed tooth roots.

After the entire process is done and with the follow-up appointments, your provider is going to measure the pockets which surrounds your gum tissue and gum lines. If the pockets haven’t decreased, then in that case you might require a periodontal surgery. Surgical treatments for periodontitis includes:

Bone grafting for replacing lost bone with bone from a donor or lab-made material.

Flap surgery in order to make a gum pocket smaller by lowering your gum line.

Soft tissue grafting for replacing lost gum tissue with tissue from the roof of your mouth.  

How Many Dental Appointments Are Need For Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

The total number of dental appointments that you require for scaling and planing depends entirely on how severe your conditions are based on your dentist’s preferences. There are some dentists who only treat one side of your mouth this includes both upper and lower teeth just in one visit. After that are required to visit for the second time for treating the other side of your mouth.

Some dentist treat each mouth quadrant separately instead. For instance, they scale and plane only the lower right side of your mouth. While during your next appointment, they might treat the upper right side of your mouth. If the treatment occurs like this then you are going to have four appointments all total.

What Are The Benefits Of Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

So what are benefits of these procedures? There are several studies which have shown that tooth scaling and root planing both are an effective treatments for periodontitis. These treatments are performed so that you can save yourself from losing gum tissues, teeth and bones.

What are the risks of tooth scaling and root planing?

By now you have already gone to the advantages of root planing but do you know that there are several disadvantages too which are related to tooth scaling and root planing. Tooth scaling and root planing can cause temporary discomfort during the time of healing. But the overall risks after the treatment are minimal ones.

People with certain heart conditions, like endocarditis, or who have synthetic heart valves may need to take antibiotics before they are getting any dental procedures done. Antibiotics helps in lowering your risk of a bacterial infection. You needed to ask your dentist and your cardiologist if you need to take this preventive step for yourself in order to stay on the safe side.

What Does Recovery Like After Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?

After to process of teeth scaling and root planing is done then your gums might be temporarily swollen and they are also tender after the procedure is complete. Apart from the tenderness of the gums your teeth might also feel sensitive. In this case you need to follow your dentist’s instructions for a speedy recovery.

Other than that you need to follow several other things mentioned below for a speedy recovery.

#1. Avoid foods and drinks that are too hot or cold.

#2. Consume soft and mushy foods like eggs after the surgery.

#3. Take pain relievers and antibiotics.

#4. Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse.

After Care Tips When The Procedure Is Done?

After the procedure of deep cleaning is done, you might feel pain for a day or two and there might be teeth sensitivity for up to a week. Apart from the teeth, your gums may be also swollen, and during this time you would feel tender and bleed. And in order to prevent infection, and control your pain your dentist may prescribe a pill or mouth rinse for the process of healing. Your dentist may also insert medication of sub-antimicrobial-dose doxycycline directly into the pocket that was cleaned. Other than that your dentist will also schedule another visit to see how your gums have healed and measure the depth of your pockets. If they notice that the depth of your pockets have gotten deeper, then in that case more treatment may be needed in order to heal.

Good dental care at home is essential to help keep gum disease from becoming more serious or recurring. Such as brushing your teeth for twice a day with the help of a soft brush, and also cleaning your teeth, eat a balanced diet, avoid using tobacco and see your dentist regularly.

FAQ’S

Now that you have known everything related to teeth scaling and root planing, there are a few questions which you need to know about scaling and root plaining.

• Can you eat right after the procedure of scaling is done?

After the procedure of root scaling is done you don’t have to wait for hours for eating after your dental cleaning. In fact, you don’t have to wait at all. Yes you have read that right you can eat right after a dental cleaning.

• Does scaling remove yellow teeth?

Does scaling and polishing whitens the teeth? Yes. Scaling and polishing is not primarily designed for whitening the teeth, as that is what teeth whitening treatments are meant for. With that said however, a scale and polish will in fact l       eave the teeth looking smooth, shiny, and whiter after the treatment.

• Do you bleed during scaling?

Though bleeding from gums after deep scaling is normal in most of the cases and subsides after 2-3 hours without any conscious efforts, there are some patients whose gums tends to bleed more and often persists for longer than 72 hours depending upon severity of inflammation.

• What is the next step after scaling and root planing?

About three or four days after the procedure, you should be able to brush normally again. In addition, your dentist will likely recommend that you rinse your mouth using either an antimicrobial rinse or a warm salt water rinse.

• Do all teeth need scaling?

When do you need teeth scaling? Your dentist will recommend teeth scaling and root planing if your mouth has signs of chronic periodontal disease. These procedures can help stop the harmful effects of this condition and keep your mouth healthy.

• How can I whiten my teeth after scaling?

Dental scaling and polishing done to remove tartar and any surface stain a few days before whitening procedure is an important first step. We do not want bleeding gum after heavy scaling to disturb the bleaching procedure. After waiting a few days, teeth are generally clean and gum is healthy for this procedure.

• Is there an alternative to dental scaling?

Although hand scalers are quite an effective thing, but these things must be used carefully for avoiding damage to gum tissues or, during deeper cleaning known as root planing, the tooth roots. A different method for plaque removal known as ultrasonic scaling has grown in popularity as an alternative to manual scaling.

• How can I scale my teeth naturally?

You can clean the teeth using baking soda. You can make a mixture of baking soda and salt as it is an effective home remedy for dental calculus removal. Other than that brushing your teeth with baking soda and salt softens the calculus, helps in making it easy to remove. The mixture should smoothly be scrubbed on the teeth by using a toothbrush in order to remove the tartar.

• Is dental scaling a surgery?

Dentists typically use the procedure of periodontal scaling and root planing as the first steps for the treatment of gum diseases. Periodontal scaling and root planing are nonsurgical ones. They are more of a deep cleaning that is done with handheld instruments or ultrasonic devices.

Want to Improve Your Smile?

Cosmetic dentistry is a professional method of oral care that primarily acts on improving the appearance of your teeth, which in turn improves the appearance of your face. Although the procedures involved in cosmetic dentistry is more of an elective kind than an absolute necessity, some exceptional cases and treatment also provide corrective benefits. It’s about time we find out about the benefits of braces, crowns, teeth-whitening bridges, implants, gum shaping, or even a complete dental makeover can do to your smile. !

Dental Bonding

The procedure in which a layer of tooth-colored resin is applied and hardened under a special light is called bonding. It improves a person’s smile and the structure of the tooth. It is one of the easiest and the least expensive dental procedures that are available. Bonding can improve or repair cracked or chipped teeth, lessen or fill gaps, and improve the shape of the teeth. This process can also be used as a cosmetic alternative for silver amalgam fillings for your tooth.     

Veneers

Veneers are customized shells that are designed to cover the frontal surface of the teeth. They are hard and paper thin. They are meant to bond to your teeth, also changing their shape, size, and color in the process. Veneers are usually made of porcelain or resin composite. Irreversible in nature, this process also provides a conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color or shape as compared to dental crowns.

Crowns

A crown is almost like a cap for your weak or damaged tooth. It provides external to your tooth and improves its shape, size and appearance. Most dental crowns are known to last from five to fifteen years.  These caps or crowns are usually made of metals, porcelain amalgamated with metals, resin. Or ceramic. Before the positioning of the crown, the existing teeth is filed down a little bit, and only then can the crown can be cemented over it, encasing it completely. Onlays and three quarter crowns cover the underlying tooth to a lesser extent, pretty much like the name suggests.

Enamel Shaping

Contouring, also called enamel shaping is a quick, and most importantly painless process of shaping natural teeth to enhance their appearance. It is usually used to rectify smaller imperfections like uneven teeth or a set of teeth that are slightly overcrowded. Results are usually immediate in nature, and can often be combined with other procedures like whitening, veneers or bonding.

Orthodontics (Braces)

Braces are primarily designed to correct crooked or misaligned teeth. It can also the overall health of the teeth and the appearance of the smile, in both children and adults. Braces function by exerting consistent pressure over time to eventually move the teeth into the correct alignment. With the teeth moving to their correct alignment, the bony tooth socket also changes shape as the pressure is applied.

Types of Braces

Besides metal braces, which are a kind of visible, they can also be as conspicuous as you would want them to be. Brackets or the part that gets attached to each tooth. Can be clear, tooth-colored or even multi-colored. They can also be attached to the back side of the tooth to keep them out of plain sight. There are also invisible braces available in the market, which are kind of like plastic molds to gradually shift the teeth into alignment.

Teeth Whitening

Who doesn’t appreciate a bright smile? A large variety of teeth-whitening products and techniques are available in the market including toothpastes and mouth rinses, gels, strips , trays and other teeth whitening agents. Having said that, whitening isn’t for everyone. It is usually meant for people who have healthy, unrestored teeth and gum conditions. Individuals with yellow tones to their teeth, respond best, unlike the ones with grey tones. It is always better to consult your dentist to know if you and teeth whitening are suitable for each other.

Composite Fillings

 Pre-existing fillings often happen to require replacements owing to wear, chipping and cracking.  People often like to use this opportunity to replace their old fillings with new ones comprising tooth colored composites. The reasons might both be aesthetic, or concern over the safety of amalgam fillings, which are known to contain mercury. However, composite fillings tend to wear out much sooner than the silver fillings over larger cavities, although they also perform well for smaller cavities.

Gum Reshaping

Gum reshaping can improve a “gummy” smile in which teeth appear too short, or where the gum line appears uneven. A small amount of gum tissue — and excess bone tissue if necessary — is removed and contoured to expose more of the teeth. This procedure can be done to one tooth to even the gum line, or to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile.

Implants

Millions of Americans suffer from the loss of teeth, much of which is due to tooth decay, gum disease, or injury. Dental implants – replacement of tooth roots which are built of titanium — provide a significantly strong foundation for the attachment of permanent or removable artificial teeth(crowns).In place of individual crowns, certain patients might already have attachments on their implant that would support a removable denture.

Dentures

Removable artificial replacements for a missing tooth and the surrounding tissue are called dentures. These dentures come in two different types: complete and partial. Complete dentures come into play when almost all the teeth are missing, whereas partial dentures are used when the number of missing teeth is combatively lesser.

Bridges (fixed partial dentures)

A fixed or permanent bridge replaces one or more teeth by stationing dental crowns on the teeth either side of the gap, and attaching artificial teeth above them. The dental bridge is then cemented into place. A cantilever bridge is used when there are teeth on only one side of the open space. Maryland bonded bridges have porcelain teeth supported by a structural framework.

Gum Grafts

Tooth roots that are exposed due to gum recession may be sensitive to hot and cold foods or liquids, and they make teeth appear longer. Gum recession or erosion can put you at risk of developing a cavity on the tooth root, and may lead to bone loss, eventually resulting in the loss of tooth. Soft tissue grafts, which relocate or shift healthy gum tissue from one corner of the mouth to another corner, can stop gum recession or erosion, and bone loss and improve the aesthetics of the gum line as a whole.

Smile Makeovers

It is a combination of more than one dental technique or procedure that can be used to achieve a great smile.

In this process, porcelain veneers and crowns rectify crooked teeth, an uneven gum line, and other chipped, worn, and discolored dentistry. While cosmetic dentists can make a dramatically significant variation in a person’s smile and overall oral health conditions, the procedure must be carefully planned — though for many the elaborate and costly production is worth it in the end, mostly because of the results.

Conclusion

If you’re looking forward to getting a cosmetic dentistry procedure done on yourself, it’s important to find a cosmetic dentist who specifically offers the option or options that you’re interested in. They will provide you more guidance and assistance on which procedures would be best suited for your dental and cosmetic needs.

Crooked teeth can trigger self-consciousness and social anxiety in many people, making them feel embarrassed to interact or be out in the public.  Dental health can affect other organs and systems of our body in unfathomable ways, besides this one. Invisalign provides you with a way to straighten the setting of your teeth with getting pricked or poked by metal brackets and wire. It is a convenient alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment that will not only shoot up our confidence, but will also take care of your oral health.

What is Invisalign?

The maximum part of your oral health is in your hands. It depends on how well your brush and floss your teeth, and clean your tongue.  Crowded teeth or crooked teeth often create hard to reach and remote corners inside your mouth, which makes it difficult to clean. These area, when left uncleaned harbor bacteria, tartar and plaque. Brushing twice a day too might not be able to save your from oral health issues and bad breath.

The primary benefit of straightening your teeth is that it will make brushing and flossing comparatively easier. By being able to reach the distant corners of your mouth, you will be able to clean it properly and have a significant improvement in your overall oral health conditions. And, as far as the cosmetic point of view is concerned, it will enhance your self-confidence and reduce the chances of getting your teeth stained.

Additional Benefits of Invisalign

Previously, traditional braces were the only way to straighten the alignment of your teeth, until about 20 years ago. This treatment or practice wasn’t very convenient among the adults. They avoided orthodontic treatments like these to save themselves some embarrassment and the hassle that came from having braces, brackets and wire inside their mouth. The introduction of invisalign opened up a new horizon of possibilities in the domain.

Our dental service expert at Smile Craft will eventually move your teeth and align them properly, with removable trays or aligners. Besides uplifting your confidence and appearance, and improving your dental health conditions, it will also benefit you in multiple ways. They are:

Comfort – Metal braces are infamous for being inconvenient and irritating. Invisalign aligners are comfortable, smooth and thin. They are convenient and don’t hurt the insides of your mouth.

Less treatment time – Braces can usually take up to 18 to 24 months to fix your teeth. This automatically means that you are going to have to wear them for that span of time. On the other hand, invisaligns take about half of that time, which is around 9 to 18 months.

It’s flexible and fits your lifestyle – these aligners have to be worn for about 2- to 22 hours daily, but can be removed for special occasions and events where you wouldn’t want to wear your aligners.  These can be easily removed without much hassle.

To summarize, invisalgn should be your go to choice if you want to boost your self-confidence without the prickly pains from metal brackets and braces.

Pros and Cons of Invisalign

The Benefits of Invisalign –

 They’re Almost Invisible!

The best part about getting invisalign is that it is almost invisible. It is exactly what it is called (well almost ). For the ones who don’t like to be called ‘metal mouth’ or be stung by metal wires, invisalign serves as the best inviable alternative.  Straighten your teeth alignment without anybody necessarily finding out.

As a matter of fact, there are multiple celebrities who wear invisalign to correct their teeth alignment withour anybody finding out about it.  The list is huge and it includes big names like:

Justin Bieber

Zac Efron

Oprah Winfrey

Keira Knightley

Khloe Kardashian

Serena Williams

The Duchess Kate Middleton, along with many others.

This list contain celebrity names from all spheres and professions, who have chosen to take care of their teeth without drawing unnecessary attention

No Food or Dietary Restrictions

If you’re someone who has friends with braces, you already know the kind of dietary restrictions they have to follow.  The list is long and often inconvenient.

Popcorn

Breads with hard crusts –bagels for instance

Biting into apples

Corn on the cob

Most kinds of hard candy or chewy gum or lozenges

Meanwhile, with Invisalign, you don’t have to care for any such lists. You can simply take them off, have what you like and then put them back after you’re done.

Brushing and Flossing is Easy

Braces and metal wires make it hard for the user to brush and floss their teeth. And that might eventually lead to scary consequences like:

Cavities

Swollen gums

Permanent white scars on your teeth

…and are all the possible results of poor brushing and flossing with braces. Simply put, you might have to compromise on your oral hygiene to fix your alignment.

Flossing with Braces

Flossing with braces can end up a nightmare. On the other hand, with invisalign, there are no brackets or wires it will be more convenient for you to clean the teeth gaps, other parts of your mouth and your overall oral hygiene.

You have to remember that it is not like you can leave out brushing and flossing your teeth from your routine. It will be comparatively easier for you to complete your routine with invisalign, than with braces.

Shorter and Fewer Appointments

Braces need a lot more manual work than invisalign, including continuous maintenance. In case of a brace related mishap, it can only be solves by an orthodontist.

 It’s almost like maintaining a car. Braces require very frequent “check-ups” and even “repairs” like…

Bonding the brackets

Changing wires

Placing rubber bands

Connecting springs…are some of the things that are on the top of the list. Braces require the longest time to fix and all that hassle can be avoided if you opt for invisalign procedure.

How long does invisalign take?

It takes about 20-40 minutes to get done with an average braces appointment. On the other hand, an average invisalign appointment takes only half of that, which is 10 minutes. Again, it takes much lesser number of appointments to maintain your invisalign, than the braces. To give you a basic overview, braces need to be reexamined every 6-8 weeks, while invisaligns need appointments every 10-12 weeks.

With fewer visits and lesser time investment, you will save a lot of time and effort, and dedicate it to something much important like work or school.

Less Discomfort and Irritation

Braces can be irritating, and can take some time to get used to. Until and unless your facial muscles adapt to the braces and toughen up, you are more likely to find it annoying and uncomfortable with all the metal wires, brackets inside your mouth.

Braces can also cause mouth sores. You might also experience sore teeth during the initial days of wearing your braces.  This is a part of the process and almost inevitable. You are going to have to wait and get used to it.

If you take out all the uncomfortable elements out of this equation, what remains behind is invisalign. It does its job, without causing any discomfort and unnecessary hassle to the user.  You can align your teeth without the pain.

The greatest benefits of Invisalign, especially when compared to braces, comprise:

Almost true to its name. Being less noticeable (“nearly invisible”)

No food or dietary restrictions

Easy brushing and flossing

Fewer and shorter appointments

Less irritation and discomfort

Potential Drawbacks of Invisalign

Now that we’ve discussed the advantages of invisaligns, you should also know about it cons so that you can make an informed decision on your part.

If You Don’t Wear It Consistently it won’t work

For the invisalign to work, you are going to have to wearn it consistently for the required amount of time every day. This is going to require a lot of discipline and self-motivation on your part, for the whole procedure to become a success.

When the alingers come off that easily, it is possible that you might forget to wear it every day. Should that happen, the procedure won’t work as well as it is expected.  The failure or the success of this whole procedure completely depends on you. These aligners need to be worn for around 20-22 hours a day. You can only take it off while brushing your teeth, while eating your meals and while drinking.

Drinking and Eating with Invisalign

Invisalign aligners have to be taken off to eat or drink anything other than water. These aligners might trap food particles and might eventually result in yellow, dirty-looking and discolored aligners, causing gum diseases and cavities.

It is also advisable to brush and floss your teeth, and rinse your mouth thoroughly before placing your aligners back on. 

Again, if you like drink your coffee round the clock or like to munch almost every time- it’s possible that aligners will disrupt your routine.

Let these conditions don’t deter you from getting your teeth straightened through invisalign. They will need you to change your habits only temporarily. On the brighter side, these can also help you control your coffee intake and food cravings. And, like everything else, your body will easily get used to not drinking coffee round the clock or munching on something or the other all the time.

Some of the users of invisalign have reported to have shed a few extra pounds by getting their binge eating checked, during the invisalign treatment. 

But you are advised to not use this as a diet plan, but as an added benefit of the invisalign.

Speaking with Your Aligners Takes time and needs regular Practice

The first time you put on your aligners, you might face slight difficulties to pronounce certain words, but not for long. Once you get used to it, it will get much easier. Talking to someone or speaking might feel slightly awkward, in the beginning of the process.  Most people usually get used to talking with their aligners on within a week. If you face difficulties, we would recommend you to read out loudly from a book, magazine or newspaper. This will help you get used to the whole thing, letting you talk freely without being awkward. This is one of the easiest and the quickest methods to get your tongue to get used to the aligners.

Some Tooth and Bite Problems Are Difficult to Correct With Invisalign

While some of the bite and tooth problem can be better solved with Invisalign, some other problems can be easily solve with braces.  Only an orthodontist will be able to determine the best situation for you.  A large number of patients with orthodontic dysfunctions can be easily treated with insvisaligns.  

To find out if you need braces or invisalign, your orthodontists or dental experts will need to evaluate your teeth top confirm.

So you may be wondering, what happens if you don’t wear your aligners as instructed?

There is a series of things that can happen if you don’t wear your aligners every day, and none of those things are going to benefit you in any way. This list includes:

 Your teeth and your facial muscles won’t be able to keep up or adapt to the aligners, which automatically means that the process is going to take much longer than it should.

This will bring in more discomfort because you’re going to have to deal with gum sore and teeth sore for a longer time, as bas a braces sometimes.

If you don’t wear it for the complete time span on the regular basis, it will not yield the expected result. On top of that you’re going to have to pay the same amount of money. It is wiser to wear it properly, if you have to pay for it anyway.

  Some of the problems concerning your tooth and bite cannot necessarily be fixed if you don’t wear like you’ve been prescribed to.  Again, not wearing them properly might also lead you to wearing braces in the future.

When considering the pros and cons of Invisalign, this is the big question to consider…Will I (or will my child) stick with this process until completion?

Some of us don’t have what it needs to keep wearing the invisaligns for the whole time…and that’s okay!

The first step towards anything that needs serious commitment is to know yourself (or your child). If you really think that you might forget to wear your aligners back after you take it off, it is wise to choose braces over aligners, for your sake! At least that way you will wear it all the time and the way in which you’ve been prescribed to.

The good news is, most of the adults and children and everybody else wear their invisalgners appropriately. They obey the program and get their desired results.

Is Invisalign The Best Choice For You or Your Child?

This question can be best answered by your orthodontist or your dentist, upon evaluating your teeth. 

What Invisalign Treats and Doesn’t Treat

Invisalign has been popular with adults and teens alike and other people who don’t want to be seen wearing metal braces, and the discomfort that follows. Previously it was only used to correct minor cosmetic issues. Now it is being significantly used to correct under bite, overbite, gapped teeth and overcrowding.

There are other problems that might be related to the alignment or positioning of the teeth. Problems like severely rotated tooth and similar issues cannot be taken care of by an aligner. Braces have been used for a long time now, and has undergone multiple upgradations and developments to address severe dental alignment issues.  Aligners haven’t evolved that much yet.

Invisalign Facts

Here are 14 facts about Invisalign that you need to know in order to make an informed decision about your orthodontic treatment

Fact #1-Invisalign braces usually cost more than normal metal braces. This is because the laboratory fees for these aligners are slightly more expensive than the regular braces. This fees goes directly to the manufacturers of the invisalign aligners.

Fact #2– Despite undergoing constant upgradation, there are severe dental issues that cannot be fixed without the help of regular braces. These complex and severe orthodontic problems are not suited for aligners.

Fact #3- these aligners might seem slightly uncomfortable. This is lesser than the regular braces. This happens because these aligners put constant pressure on the teeth to maximize the movement and its effect on the teeth.  

Fact #4- The time taken by the aligners or the braces largely depends on you and your efficiency in obeying the prescribed procedure.

Fact #5- these aligners are designed to straighten the alignment of your teeth. They are not designed to diagnose dental issues. So the diagnosis depends on the expertise of your dentist or orthodontist.

Fact #6- The success or failure of the process also depends on the experience and the expertise of the orthodontist.

.Fact #7- The number of patients who have been successfully treated by these aligners is increasing on a daily basis. More than 1000000 patients have been treated worldwide.

Fact #8- These aligner trays can be removed anytime, allowing you to eat and drink as you please. It also helps you to maintain your dental care routine normally, without interfering with the process like braces would.

Fact #9- these aligners don’t need any wire or metal brackets. These save you a lot of time and effort that you would have otherwise needed to spend at the orthodontist’s office.  Invisaligns don’t need frequent adjustments, unlike traditional braces.

Fact #10– it’s a systemic process and moves only a number of teeth at a time. This treatment plan is completely dependent and made by your orthodontist.

Fact #11-

These aligner trays are made of thermoplastic material and look like the teeth whitening trays. It is usually custom made and is meant to move your teeth in the sequence determined by your orthodontist.

Fact #12–  Do your own research and opt for the alignment procedure based on your convenience and comfort.

Fact #13- Many patients need the support of the retainers after Invisalign treatment in order to keep the teeth from shifting back to their pre-treatment positions, and ruining the whole process.

Fact #14- Invisalign aligners need changing around every 2 weeks. Complex movements require 3 weeks of wear and less complex movements require 10 days of wear, completely depending on your dental condition and your efficiency.

Dental health and oral hygiene can have unfathomable effects on multiple organs and systems in our body. It can also play an important role in accelerating lung diseases. Our mouths have bacteria in them, and the harmful ones can travel to many other organs, including our lungs to cause bacterial infection. Lungs and teeth are way more intricately connected than one can imagine. Certain medications for lung diseases too can negatively affect the teeth and gum health.  These medicines are known to strain the enamel and even loss of teeth, including increasing the risk of dental infections.

How are Oral Health and Overall Health Connected?

There is a direct and transparent link between poor dental hygiene and respiratory diseases and infections. Gum infections, diseases and cavities are a clear sign of bad oral health. These issues can aggravate lung infections and even cause new ones, leading to higher risk of pneumonia and emphysema.

What is Oral Bacteria?

About 700 different types and species of bacteria exists in our mouth and create a balance to maintain healthy conditions. If the balance gets disrupted, the growth of the bacteria gets out of hand. They can create gum ailments, teeth problems and other correlated problems. By not taking oral care seriously, or not paying heed to untreated plaque and tartar you are only putting your other body parts in danger, and susceptible to other serious infections including cardiovascular and respiratory organs.

How can dental problems affect lung diseases?

Dental cavities and gum infection (gingivitis) are caused by the germs and bacteria that reside in our mouth. Our gums and teeth act as store houses for these germs and bacteria which can travel further down to other different organs. These germs and bacteria live in the dental plaque, a layer that gets formed on the teeth. And bacteria, by nature are mean to multiply. Formation plaque can be checked if you brush your teeth regularly twice a day and floss it every day. Some bacteria often can get inhaled into lungs on tiny droplets of saliva. Healthy lungs have their own developed defense mechanisms to control those invasions, unlike unhealthy lungs.  Unhealthy lungs by virtue of not having a strong defense mechanism, fails to control these invasions, and thus get infected.  These bacteria are also capable of further worsening the conditions of an already damaged and unhealthy pair of lungs. Gum infections can also worsen the chronic inflammation in lung diseases as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Inflamed airways is also one of the factor that enhances the symptoms of lung diseases. A diseased or inflamed gum sends out distressed signals to different parts of the body to draw attention. This signaling system also includes inflaming of the lungs.

Breathing in Harmful Bacteria

By the international Journal of Molecular Sciences, there are two ways in which that oral bacteria can reach other systems in our bodies. We breathe or inhale the bacteria into our lungs. Again, by the University of Missouri, the saliva droplets which are fairly capable of holding germs and bacteria, can travel from one person to another, as and when we breathe.

We inhale germs every time we respire or breathe. There is nothing unnatural about it. Our immune system has been specifically designed to mitigate the effects a bacterial invasion or anything that might cause serious health issues- inflammation or otherwise.

Germs that live in our mouth can grow rapidly an even trickle down into our respiratory organs during our sleeping hours. These germs are dangerous and are capable of primarily causing pneumonia. The biofilm get cleaned off through regular brushing, can therefore prevent the pneumonia causing germs from spreading.

Oral Bacteria in the Blood 

Bacteria can also enter our bodies through the blood stream. Gum tissues get broken down by gum diseases, which leaves the gums susceptible to more bacteria invasion. It is through these infected gums that make the pathway for the disease causing bacteria to invade, causing inflation and other issues.

Can Your Dentures be a Problem ?

Dentures might be one of the problems, in a scenario like this.  This is mostly because, dentures need regular cleaning- they have to be taken off and soaked every day in a cleaning solution before going off to bed. If not, bacteria will start to grow and might get inhaled into the lungs and other parts of the body. Dentures, as good and well-built as they might be, are not your natural teeth. So there is obviously a more chance of choking on your own food, if you don’t chew it well. Food might also get into your respiratory tracks and cause serious problems.

Can medications or treatments used for lung problems cause problems for your teeth?

As mentioned previously, certain medications for lungs might cause dental damage. Some of the inhaled inflammatory and bronchodilator can lead to conditions like “dry-mouth”. Saliva has a protective function inside our mouth. Thus, dry mouth can significantly increase the risk of getting cavities, decay and other gum disease. Chewing on sugar-free gums or sucking on sugar-free candy can help your mot produce more saliva. 

Artificial saliva products can also be used to enhance the production of saliva inside the mouth. Oxygen, PAP or Positive Airway Pressure therapy, and other therapies that are non-humidified might also cause your mouth to dry up. 

On the other hand, using a humidifier to add moisture to oxygen, CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure and bi-PAP or bilevel positive airway pressure   devices might be beneficial in these situations.

Oral candidiasis, popularly known as thrush is an infection caused by yeast (fungus). This is caused by certain inhaled medications like corticosteroids. We already have multiple kinds of microbes living in our mouth or normal flora.

Yeasts like Candidia   can normally live in our mouths, but are controlled by other mouth flora aided by a healthy immune system.  Medicines can even sometimes disrupt the normal balance, causing the fungus (yeast) to grow and lead to infections. Development of white patches on the cheeks, tongue and thrush on the throat. These patches are not usually painful. But extreme disruption of balance can cause them to become sore, bleed and cause an uncomfortably burning sensation. 

Infections like thrush can be treated with anti-fungal drugs such as nystatin. There are multiple ways to reduce the risk of thrush formation. You can use an inhaler with a spacer. That will send more medicine into the lungs and less inside your mouth, specifically. You might want to gargle or at least rinse your mouth thoroughly after you’ve used an inhaler. However, brushing your teeth the best possible solution to this.

How can I avoid lung problems from dental or gum disease?

Maintaining an oral hygiene routine on a daily basis can benefit your lungs and your teeth. You need to control the bacteria on your teeth and gums before they can spread and infect the lungs.

Gum diseases and cavities can be prevented by removing the plaque with a detailed oral hygiene routine. Consistency is the key, because bacterial plaque begins to re-build within a few hours after being cleaned.

A toothbrush with soft bristles can clean out plaque from three surfaces of each tooth—the outside, biting, and inside surfaces.

 Dental floss or a floss substitute, is needed to scrape off plaque off the two side surfaces. The sides of teeth are where cavities and gum infections can practically be catastrophic.

Scraping off plaque before going to bed is important since a “dry mouth” is an ideal situation for the decay causing bacteria during sleep.

You are required to brush gently and thoroughly along the gum line of teeth to clean off the plaque, with a soft bristles brush. This plaque is evasive in nature because they exist in the groves between the gum and the teeth. It get deeper and are completely capable of destroying not only your gums but also the supporting bones. If the bones starts to erode, the corresponding tooth will start to wobble and eventually come out. This is what we identify as a periodontal disease.

A sandy or gritty deposit that starts to form when the soft plaque isn’t cleaned properly, is called tartar. It is a sign of inconsistent and poor oral health. Tartar is known to cause gum inflammation and irritate them. Tartar, unlike plaque, cannot be taken out with just brushing and flossing. It needs professional attention. It needs to be taken care (scrapped off) by a dentist or a dental care professional. And if the tartar keeping recurring, you are going to have to have visit the dentist at regular intervals to get it cleaned. Tartar mostly develops on the hidden corners of the mouth like the back side of the teeth. You are going to have to pay special attention to these locations while brushing and flossing.

Toothpaste containing fluoride is proven to be beneficial in these situation, because fluoride plays an important role in preventing dental cavity by strengthening the dental structure. If your teeth is susceptible to developing dental decay or cavities, your dentist is most likely to recommend a fluoride rich toothpaste for your regular dental cleaning.

 Some brands of toothpaste also contain additional anti-bacterial and anti-microbial elements. You can also use mouth washing liquids with similar ingredients, or the ones that use chlorhexidine.

Frequent and thorough dental care routine can add a lot of mileage to help you prevent cavities and gum diseases. It is always wise to keep visiting your dentist or dental health expert to detect the early signs of a gum disease, plaque or tartar formation. This is help you to nip it at the root and control their recurrence.

Is there anything special I should tell my dentist?

 Please enquire from your dentist for a prevention plan based on your unique medical and dental conditions. This plan might comprise:

How often do you need dental exams and cleanings?

Whether or not a supplemental fluoride based toothpaste would be effective?

If they would recommend any antimicrobial rinses or mouth washing liquids?

 How to treat thrush infection if it starts to develop?

How should you deal with dry mouth problems?

 Also prepare to ask questions like:

How often should you visit the office for exams or treatments based on your lung and oral health?

How can you reverse the negative impacts of your medications such as dry mouth or thrush?

How can you make appointments more comfortable — whether that’s adjusting the chair for easier breathing or using hand signals when you need to cough or require a break?

It’s important to make sure that you’re not sick or at least not coughing or suffering from breathing problems, while visiting a dentist. Let him know if you tend to get ticklish and end up coughing with sharp dental instruments in your mouth.  Giving them your dental expert team a prior heads up about these situations only makes it a lot easier for both parties, and saves a lot of effort. If you have difficulty in breathing in a reclined chair, tell your dentist about it at the beginning of the procedure, for instance. Let them know if you would need a break during the procedure. If you use an inhaler on a regular basis, carry it to you dentist, for emergency situations.

Are there resources to help pay for dental treatment?

 Regular oral and dental care goes a long way in preventing minor and major dental or oral health problems. Insurance policies don’t always cover dental care, thus it is important to take care of your teeth and gums before things get bad. Given below is a list of things that you can do

Brush your teeth and floss, especially before going to bed. Scrape your tongue if possible.

Consult a dentist about how to prevent problems from any medications you are on.

Visit your dentist as soon as you start experiencing problems with your teeth or gums, without postponing it.

Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco

How Lung Disease Can Impact Your Oral Health

 The connection between oral disease and lung disease is a two way road. This practically means that bad lung conditions can affect your oral health and vice versa. Medications prescribed for some of the most common respiratory disorders like COPD, sleep apnea and asthma , are often known to cause dental cavity and dry mouth. Dry mouth is a situation where the mouth dries up because of low saliva production.

Specific drugs that are prescribed to cure lung diseases can also disturb the usual balance of the flora in our mouth. The white patches and lesions by thrush and lesions can be taken care of with proper anti-fungal medication.

Medications, when combined with systemic inflammation and disruption in your daily oral care routine can have adverse impacts on your overall health and can invite chronic respiratory diseases in adults.     A research published by the JADA or the Journal of the American Dental Association claimed that patients struggling with COPD or asthma are more susceptible to losing their teeth than the ones who don’t suffer from respiratory ailments.

How to Avoid Lung Problems from Poor Dental Health

Maintaining your oral health is like adding another feather to the cap of your overall good health, specifically your respiratory health. And, if you wish to take care of your oral health, here are some more tips that might be able to help you:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least for two minutes every time.

Take special care while cleaning the gaps between your teeth, use a floss if possible, or a water jet.

Visit your dentist for regular examinations and for maintaining your dental health.

 Have a transparent discussion with your dentist, about your medical history- that might have an overlapping impact with your dental treatment, even if you feel unrelated. They will be able to schedule your treatment accordingly.

As concerning and as serious all of these information sounds, it can be prevented with a good dental hygiene routine. A consistent and efficient effort to maintain a clean diet and a healthy oral care routine goes a long way in maintaining the balance in your mouth and in other parts of the body. It can prevent gum diseases and other corresponding inflammatory ailments. Talk to your general physician, lung-doctor and your dentist to gain a holistic view of the situation at hand and the ways to prevent and mend it.

Taking extra care of your mouth can deeply impact the process of preventing lung diseases, even the ones that can have unalterable effects. Our mouths, being one of the important access points to enter our body, preventing and eliminating the harmful diseases at the gateway saves us a lot of pain, effort and trouble.