When you’re expecting, there are a lot of things you’re busy taking care of. From eating a balanced diet to getting enough exercise (or at least trying to anyway,) you know how important it is to keep your body healthy for baby’s sake.

But did you know that the health of your mouth can have a huge impact on your pregnancy? Research shows that when a pregnant woman has active gum disease, it can statistically raise her risk of developing preeclampsia, going into labor prematurely, and giving birth to a baby with a low birth weight.

Not only that, but hormonal changes during pregnancy can alter the health of your mouth — specifically your gum tissues.

To keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy, here are some important tips.

Pay Attention To Your Gums.
You might start to notice your gums showing signs of swelling or redness. Some women even develop temporary “pregnancy tumors” which are hormone-induced growths on their gums that go away after they have their baby. But don’t assume it’s all hormonal. Any gum redness or inflammation should be treated as if its gingivitis, before there’s a chance of chronic gum disease developing.

Don’t Skip Your Dental Checkups.
Keeping your teeth clean is important, especially since we know bacteria can spread from your mouth to the placenta. Book your regular checkups every six months to have tartar buildup cleaned away. At this time your dentist will also screen for potential issues that need to be addressed. Other areas can be watched until after you have your baby.

Get Treatment If You Need It.
Delayed dental care can put you at risk for dental emergencies, including abscessed teeth, which could raise the chances of oral bacteria transferring themselves through your blood vessels to your baby. Or, you might find that a tooth suddenly breaks, posing a painful emergency when it’s not all that comfortable to sit back for dental work.

Most dentists and OBGYNs recommend getting necessary dental treatments completed somewhere during the second trimester. That’s because your baby is past its most crucial developmental stages (first trimester) but your belly isn’t quite so big yet (third trimester) that you’ll have a hard time laying back.

Take Precautions Getting X-rays. Today’s digital dental X-rays use 90% less radiation than their predecessors. That, combined with lead aprons, which block scatter radiation, make getting an essential X-ray completely safe to take, even if you’re pregnant. So if your dentist suspects an abscessed tooth or you need to determine the cause of your toothache, one or two X-rays is completely fine for you and your baby.

Talk With A Smilelab Dentist
Smilekab Dental Center dentists look at your smile as just a small piece of your overall health. The state of your oral wellness in turn has an impact on your body, and when you’re pregnant, your baby too.

For more information on getting dental care during pregnancy or how to care for your baby’s teeth, locate a Smilelab dentist in your area today.

How is it possible to get cavities if you don’t eat that much sugar? Is sugar the only cause of tooth decay? Could it be that other types of sweets or sugar-substitutes increase your risk of getting a cavity?

Sugars Increase Acid Production And Risk Of Cavities
Each type of food has different chemical properties and pH levels. Sugars are simple carbohydrates. They’re broken down quickly, starting when they come into contact with saliva. When this process happens, acidic byproducts are created, fueling additional plaque formation. Even artificial sweeteners contribute to this process (“sugar free” doesn’t mean “cavity free”!)

It’s plaque that processes the sugar, creating additional acids inside of the mouth. Higher levels of acids and more frequent exposure — such as eating sugar on a frequent basis — can increase cavity formation.

Sugar is often used as an additive to make foods more palatable, it’s also found naturally in many products such as milk and fruit juice. Eating food with any type of sugar, natural or not, will create an acid byproduct as soon as it’s broken down by saliva.

There are actually some types of sugars that are good for your teeth, such as xylitol. As a 5-carbon sugar, xylitol physically prevents plaque biofilm from adhering to your teeth. The sad news is that eating too much of it can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

Saliva Creates Acid Out Of Other Foods
Every time you eat, your saliva breaks down food particles to prepare them for the digestive process. One of the results of that break-down is an acidic byproduct, which fuels dental plaque. Each time you eat, the acid lasts for about half an hour inside of your mouth.

So in theory, snacking more frequently can raise your risk of cavities. Especially with certain types of foods. Sugar being one, but carbohydrates being another.

Drinks like diet soda and sports drinks are just as — if not more so — dangerous to your tooth enamel as a naturally sweetened soda.

If you have more dental plaque on your teeth, your mouth will be creating even more biofilm byproducts each time you eat. So brushing your teeth throughout the day can help you lower your risk of decay, along with less frequent snacking.

Some Sugars Are Worse Than Others
Did you know that the type of sugar you consume can make you more likely to get cavities than other types of sugar?

For example, liquid sugars — like what you find in a soda or flavored coffee — coat your teeth and all of the grooves and crevices. The sugars seep down into hard-to-reach areas and as a result, raise your risk of decay. Sticky foods like candy that adhere to your teeth for a long time can also be “worse” on your smile than options like chocolate, which quickly melt away.

Fight Cavities Before They Start
The best way to combat tooth decay is to brush and floss daily, drink plenty of water, and schedule regular checkups with your dentist. During your six-month checkup, be sure to ask about options like fluoride varnish or protective sealants to safeguard your smile even further against the risk of decay.

Visit your Smilelab Dental Center at least twice per year.

You can achieve better plaque removal and gingivitis reduction with an electric toothbrush that utilizes oscillating-rotating technology than with a regular manual toothbrush.

This brushing action is very different from ordinary manual toothbrushes, as it does the job of brushing for you. Be sure to guide the brush head to all parts of your mouth.

Rotating Electric Toothbrush Instructions

Step 1: Hold the brush parallel to the floor, against the side of your teeth.

Step 2: Guide the brush head slowly from tooth to tooth, following the curve of the teeth and gums. It isn’t necessary to press hard or scrub. Simply let the electric toothbrush do all the work. Hold the brush head in place for a few seconds before moving on to the next tooth.

Step 3: Don’t forget to reach all areas, including the insides, outsides, chewing surfaces, and behind your back teeth.

Remember, you have the “power” to keep your teeth as plaque-free as possible at home, helping to protect your teeth and gums for a lifetime.

Smilelab Center dentists are trained with the most up-to-date research and focus on the patients’ health first. Find one in your area – Alumni Look Up

Resource from: https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us

Did you know that tooth enamel was the hardest substance in the entire human body?

It’s true, and it’s one reason why dental records are often used for instances involving forensics. Teeth are packed with a dense amount of hydroxyapatite crystals, which makes them even stronger than human bone.

Softer Inner Layers Of Teeth
Not every part of a tooth is hard, though. Once you get through the outer shell of enamel — which only covers the crown, or area above the gumlines — you reach the dentin and then the pulp (nerve tissues.)

Dentin is much softer. Once a cavity creeps through the strong tooth enamel and reaches dentin, the decay spreads quickly and widely. Why? Because dentin is weaker and less dense.

What About Baby Teeth?
Compared to adult teeth, baby (primary) teeth are much weaker. They lack the inner dentin structure and are made to resorb when pressed against by adult teeth, which allows them to “shrink” into a shell over time before falling out. As such, they’re usually more prone to fractures of tooth decay.

Things That Can Damage Strong Enamel
Although tooth enamel is strong, it’s still susceptible to certain things that can permanently damage your smile. Here are a few examples:

Wear (Bruxism): When teeth wear against other teeth abnormally — whether it’s due to a misaligned bite or a clenching and grinding habit like bruxism — your enamel will suffer. Gradually, the teeth will develop jagged or sharp edges, before getting flatter over time.

Adjusting how healthy teeth bite together can help to eliminate unwanted wear.

Aggressive Toothbrushing: Always use a soft bristled toothbrush when you clean your teeth, and only place just enough pressure to make the tissues blanch. Anything more than that — or using moderate to stiff bristled brushes — can physically wear notches into your enamel.

Such areas are usually seen along the corners of your mouth, close to the gumlines. That is, just behind your eye teeth and in front of your molars. A triangle-shaped notch appears cut into the tooth and gum recession may also be present.

Acids, Plaque, Sugar, and Carbs: As you probably guessed, enamel is also susceptible to elements that cause cavities. A cavity is a physical “hole” inside of the tooth, due to bacteria and acids eating their way through the enamel.

Acidic liquids (such as diet soda or sports drinks) or a high-carb diet can encourage a higher amount of plaque biofilm inside of your mouth. Without proper brushing and flossing, those bacteria will multiply and create new acids, continuing the decay process and causing the cavity to spread. As we learned already, once a cavity works its way through the enamel, it expands more quickly inside the inner layers of the tooth.

Keeping Your Smile Strong
Fortunately, there are ways to keep your teeth strong and resistant to wear or cavities. Options like regular fluoride treatments, nightguards, or orthodontic therapy are just a few examples.

Visit a Smilelab Dental Center today to get a smile protection plan that’s tailored to your unique situation.

Dental hygienists are mid-level dental practitioners (similar to a Registered Nurse) who are licensed to provide therapeutic oral health services and screen for disease. You’ll see them during your “cleaning” appointments, even though they perform far more than just a cleaning.

During your appointment with a dental hygienist — and depending on which state you’re in — you’ll be able to receive services such as:

• Periodontal evaluation
• Oral cancer screening
• Medical screening
• Prophylaxis
• Soft tissue laser therapy for gum disease and cold sores
• Local anesthetic, prior to your dental work
• Periodontal therapy
• Oral hygiene instruction
• Nutritional counseling
• Radiographs (X-rays)
• Sealant placement
• Desensitizing treatments
• Sedation monitoring

In school (hygienists hold an Associate or Bachelors degree) they are also trained to recognize the oral signs and symptoms of systemic health conditions and diseases.

More Than Just Cleaning Your Teeth
Your hygienist is probably one of the people that you see the most in a dental office. They see you for your cleaning, and thus have the most “hands on” time when it comes to your mouth.

It should come as no surprise then, when hygienists pinpoint undiagnosed medical concerns and diseases that have oral side effects. Health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, anemia, AIDS/HIV, and cancer are just a few examples of situations that may cause oral side effects that your dental hygienist may observe during an appointment.

Seeing a hygienist regularly doesn’t just keep your teeth healthy – it could save your life!

Regular Tartar Removal
Dental calculus — commonly referred to as “tartar” — is calcified plaque that’s accumulated across teeth and root surfaces (just under the edges of your gums.) Even if you brush and floss daily, some of the areas in your mouth will tend to develop buildup.

Unfortunately, calculus can’t be removed with conventional brushing and flossing. Being that it harbors disease-causing bacteria, tartar buildup will lead to tissue detachment, gum recession, and bone loss.

Seeing a hygienist regularly provides an opportunity to have all of the buildup removed, so that your oral health is easier to maintain. For most healthy individuals, a cleaning is recommended every six months.

However, people with a history of gum disease or who tend to have heavy buildup may need to see their hygienist every 3-4 months.

What’s Involved In A “Cleaning?”
During a prophylactic (preventative) cleaning, which is what most people schedule, your hygienist will use manual scalers and/or an ultrasonic scaler to loosen and remove both hard and soft buildup. The hygienist will typically work from different angles, cleaning surfaces of each teeth from that direction before moving to a different position and cleaning from those angles. This method is for ergonomic and efficiency purposes, but to the average person it can feel as if their hygienist is “skipping around” throughout their mouth.

Once all of the teeth are scaled free of debris, your hygienist will use a soft rubber cup or air-polisher to polish away surface stains. You’ll have a smoother, brighter surface left behind!

Book Your Checkup Today
If it’s been more than six months since your last cleaning, your dental health could be at risk. Schedule your next visit today with a Smilelab Trained Dentist.

If you’ve ever searched for dental care or DIY tips online, sites like Pinterest are filled with claims that say it’s possible to reverse cavities, heal your own teeth, and avoid getting dental fillings through seemingly before-undiscovered homeopathic treatments.

Is it true? Can you reverse tooth decay?

The short answer is “no” but the long answer is “sort of.”

Here’s why:

Early Tooth Demineralization Can Be Reversed
Some of the popular “I reversed my tooth decay” websites don’t explain the state of damage the tooth was in (with the digital X-rays to show it) before they suddenly healed their teeth.

The earliest stage of a cavity is demineralized enamel. The outer layer of enamel becomes weak and soft, due to acids and plaque biofilm coming into contact with it on an extended basis.

Fortunately, demineralized enamel can — to an extent — be remineralized before a physical cavity (hole) ruptures through the surface.

What are some ways to help this happen?

• Improved hygiene and plaque removal on an everyday basis
• Protective dental sealants over deep grooves and fissures, which are some of the most cavity-prone surfaces
• Drinking fluoridated tap water throughout the day
• Supplementation with a prescription strength fluoride or mouthrinse, provided by your dentist
• Use of everyday oral hygiene products that contain fluoride
• Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, sharp cheddar cheese, and fewer processed carbohydrates
• Eliminating acidic beverages and those that contain natural or artificial sweeteners

Decayed Enamel Can’t Be “Re-Grown”
The types of cells that make up your teeth do not re-grow or repair themselves after the tooth is fully developed. There are currently laboratory studies being conducted with stem cells to try to make this a potential reality. But as of yet, it’s physically impossible.

Once a tooth has a physical cavity (opening or hole) inside of it, there is no feasible way to help the enamel grow back on your own. Instead, the cavity will gradually worsen, due to the bacterial infection inside of the tooth structure.

Ideally, you would want to treat the cavity as soon as it’s diagnosed and while it’s as small as possible. When you do, your dentist can place a minimally invasive filling and preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

But untreated cavities will expand to the point that they require larger fillings. Or worse, they will reach into the nerve chamber and create an abscess. What could have initially been treated with a modest restoration now becomes a situation requiring a root canal and a crown.

Do You Think You Have A Cavity?
Early diagnosis is the key to preventing your tooth decay from spreading. Sometimes, you can catch the possible cavity before it has actually broken through your tooth.

Let your dentist know if you’re experiencing any sensitivity on specific teeth, feel a rough tooth surface, or notice discoloration in the surface of your enamel.

If you see your Smilelab dentist soon enough, it may be possible to reverse the demineralization before you have a true physical cavity.

A dental sealant is a protective coating placed on the chewing surface of the back teeth to protect against cavities. Permanent back teeth have a significantly higher risk of developing decay as your toothbrush cannot reach the base of the grooves and pits on the biting surface of these teeth to clean them. Dental sealants are thin, hard plastic coatings placed in the pits and grooves of teeth. Usually they are needed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, but other teeth may also develop pits that need to be protected with sealants.

Who Should Have Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are most commonly placed on the permanent molars of children. Ideally, this is done shortly after these teeth fully erupt. The first permanent molars erupt around age six and the second permanent molars erupt around age twelve. Dental Sealants can also protect vulnerable pits or grooves on adults’ teeth.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?
The pits and grooves on the back teeth may be too narrow for a toothbrush bristle to reach the base of them. This allows plaque and bacteria to accumulate, which increases the risk of tooth decay. Dental sealants fill those pits and grooves, thus decreasing the risk of tooth decay by preventing the accumulation of plaque and bacteria.

How Are Dental Sealants Placed?
Placing dental sealants requires no anesthetic or drilling. The teeth must be kept isolated during the procedure. The tooth surface is cleaned and prepared then the sealant material is spread into the pits and grooves. The material either sets by itself or is cured with a light. Your dental professional will check to ensure the sealant does not interfere with chewing.

What Are The Risks Of Dental Sealants?
There is very little risk in having dental sealants placed. Rarely, a sealant will leak and decay will form beneath it. Regular examinations by your dentist allow sealants to be repaired or replaced as needed.

What Are The Risks Of Not Having Dental Sealants Placed?
Without dental sealants, the risk of tooth decay increases significantly in teeth with deep grooves and pits. Once a tooth is decayed, it requires a filling and often becomes weaker due to the loss of sound tooth structure.

Smilelab Dental Center dentists are trained with the most up-to-date research and focus on the patients’ health first. Find one in your area – Alumni Look Up

Dental Implants: What Are They?
Today’s modern dental implants have significantly evolved from the concept of long-term tooth replacement idealized by dentists decades ago. What used to involve a complex and invasive process has now transformed into the straightforward, gold-standard treatment that dental patients expect.

Essentially, dental implants are artificial tooth roots crafted from biocompatible materials (titanium or ceramic,) which are then set into the mouth near the area of the missing tooth. Their design triggers new bone development around them — a process we call “osseointegration” — where the body fuses itself to the implant, making it a permanent part of the mouth. The fact that this process occurs makes implants stronger than even the healthiest of teeth.

Options For Single Or Multiple Missing Teeth
With dental implants, patients have a variety of restorative options. Individual implants can support a ceramic crown, making it appropriate for single tooth replacement. But if multiple teeth are involved, we can use implants in pairs to support longer prosthetics, such as multi-tooth dental bridges or an “All-on-4” hybrid denture design.

Advantages Of Implants
Choosing to invest in dental implants over more conventional types of treatment offers many advantages to your overall oral health. Rather than altering adjacent teeth to support a fixed prosthesis, implants stand independently and function as if they were natural teeth. This makes it possible to offer our Seattle implant patients a number of benefits, including:

• Preservation of natural biting patterns and tooth alignment
• Non-invasive to adjacent teeth (no reshaping or structure removal)
• Enhanced bone support of the jaw and face
• Permanent (non-removable) restorative designs
• Options for dental implant stabilization
• Better return on investment than conventional treatments

The implants of today are the most lifelike tooth replacements available. Not only that, but their extremely high success rate means nearly 98% of dental implants last for the life of patients. They offer the longest return on investment of any modern-day dental restoration.

Does It Hurt To Get Implants?
A common perception of having dental implants placed is that the process will be an uncomfortable one. Not so! Because bone structure does not contain pain receptors, we’re able to efficiently place implants in a straightforward and comfortable manner. If you’ve ever had a tooth removed, getting an implant is usually much more comfortable.

After the placement of the artificial roots, patients wear a temporary restoration as the bone and gum tissue heals around your new implant. Within a few months, a permanent crown, bridge, or denture is fixed into place.

Give Yourself The Gift Of A New Smile
Living with missing teeth can make it difficult to enjoy your meals, smile around friends, or keep you from taking photographs with the grandchildren.

Smilelab Dental Center dentists are trained with the most up-to-date research and focus on the patients’ health first. Find one in your area – Alumni Look Up

A cracked tooth is a complete or partial fracture of the tooth structure. Sometimes a tooth breaks upon impact—such as accidentally chewing a pit or being hit in the face—usually, a small fracture begins at the edge of the tooth then deepens over time as you clench, grind or chew.

Who Is At Risk For A Cracked Tooth?
Some people are more susceptible than others to have a cracked tooth. Factors that are more likely to lead to a cracked tooth are:

• Deep fillings that leave thin amounts of tooth structure
• Sports such as hockey, football and boxing that have a high risk of facial trauma
• People who grind their teeth or have strong chewing muscles
• People with destructive habits like chewing ice or opening things with their teeth

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk Of A Cracked Tooth In The Future?

Your dentist will make recommendations to minimize your risk of a cracked tooth. Here are some things that may be recommended:

• Have crowns placed to cover weak cusps of teeth
• Have your bite adjusted by your dentist
• Have old silver fillings replaced
• Do not chew ice or use teeth to open things
• Wear a night time grinding appliance
• Wear a sports guard

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Cracked Tooth?

It is likely that the crack will continue to deepen and eventually the tooth may become painful to chewing or pieces may break off it. Sometimes the tooth may crack completely in half, at which point it must be extracted. Other times, the crack goes into the nerve and root canal treatment may be necessary to save the tooth.

A discolored tooth is a tooth that appears darker than the teeth beside it. Teeth naturally darken as you age, but the overall color of your teeth should be about the same.

A Discolored Tooth May Be Caused By:

• Decay
• Trauma
• Gum recession exposing a dark root
• A dead or receded nerve in the tooth
• An existing root canal treatment
• An old silver filling which has leeched gray color into the tooth
• An old composite filling which is staining underneath the edges or has discolored over time
• Tooth wear leading to the exposure of the darker layer of tooth under the enamel
• Stain from food or beverages

Who Is At High Risk For A Discolored Tooth?
Discolored teeth are more common in people who have:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Periodontal disease
• Existing root canal treatments and old fillings
• Bite problems
• A smoking habit

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk Of A Discolored Tooth In The Future?
Consult your dentist regarding your particular situation. Some options that may be recommended are:

• Repair decayed teeth
• Treat teeth needing root canal treatments
• Address exposed tooth roots
• Replace old fillings
• Address bite problems
• Bleach the inside of root canal treated teeth or use dental whitening products (at home or in-office)

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Discolored Tooth?
Unless addressed, the appearance of a discolored tooth can worsen over time. In some cases, the discoloration indicates decay or a dead nerve and these can lead to a severe infection or the loss of your tooth.

A discolored tooth is a tooth that appears darker than the teeth beside it. Teeth naturally darken as you age, but the overall color of your teeth should be about the same.

A Discolored Tooth May Be Caused By:

• Decay
• Trauma
• Gum recession exposing a dark root
• A dead or receded nerve in the tooth
• An existing root canal treatment
• An old silver filling which has leeched gray color into the tooth
• An old composite filling which is staining underneath the edges or has discolored over time
• Tooth wear leading to the exposure of the darker layer of tooth under the enamel
• Stain from food or beverages

Who Is At High Risk For A Discolored Tooth?
Discolored teeth are more common in people who have:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Periodontal disease
• Existing root canal treatments and old fillings
• Bite problems
• A smoking habit

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk Of A Discolored Tooth In The Future?
Consult your dentist regarding your particular situation. Some options that may be recommended are:

• Repair decayed teeth
• Treat teeth needing root canal treatments
• Address exposed tooth roots
• Replace old fillings
• Address bite problems
• Bleach the inside of root canal treated teeth or use dental whitening products (at home or in-office)

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Discolored Tooth?
Unless addressed, the appearance of a discolored tooth can worsen over time. In some cases, the discoloration indicates decay or a dead nerve and these can lead to a severe infection or the loss of your tooth.

You’ve always heard that you’re supposed to brush your teeth for two minutes twice per day. But what happens if you don’t? Maybe you went through a period of poor lifestyle choices, suffered from a severe medical condition, or have a child that just doesn’t care about tooth brushing.

If you were to go without brushing your teeth, this is what would happen:

Plaque And Tartar Develops
The very first thing you would notice if you don’t brush your teeth is an increase in plaque formation. Plaque develops within a matter of minutes after each meal…and it calcifies within at least 24 hours.

Gradually, you will begin to notice a soft white or yellow film coating your teeth. Either you will feel it with your tongue, or it will be visible in the mirror. The plaque will be thickest along the gumlines.

Within weeks or months, heavy tartar buildup will start to form a sheet over the lower front and upper back teeth. Eventually this calculus will take on stains, turning brown or yellow, as it spreads into adjacent areas and under your gums.

Gingivitis Takes Hold
Within days or a couple of weeks without brushing, you will start to get gingivitis. Your gums will begin to swell and turn a bright red due to the inflammation. Brushing and flossing will cause them to bleed.

Even irregular brushing and flossing can allow gingivitis to form. Here’s a tip: it takes up to two weeks of rigorous home hygiene for symptoms to reverse.

Teeth Begin To Decay
As plaque rests on top of your enamel, it creates acid byproducts each time you eat. Certain diets — such as those rich in carbs or sugars — will lead to higher acid production.

Your enamel will begin to demineralize. As it becomes soft, white spots develop on its surface. Gradually, those weak areas erode, creating cavities across your teeth. Because cavities are bacterial infections, they can spread to neighboring teeth, creating a “chain reaction” throughout your mouth.

Gum Disease Advances
Your gingivitis now becomes periodontal disease. The bacteria inside of the plaque and tartar have started to work their way down under the gumlines, causing your gums to detach from your teeth and the bone supporting them to erode.

At first, you’ll notice your gumlines start to recede. Your teeth will begin to feel loose and maybe a little sensitive due to the exposed roots. Visible spaces or gaps will be noticeable between them.

You Lose Your Teeth
Whether due to rapid bone loss around your teeth, or emergency extractions due to large, painful cavities, you will ultimately wind up losing your smile. It may take years or even decades, but it will eventually happen.

If you’ve had times where your oral hygiene wasn’t always as important as it is now, your Smilelab Dental Center can help. By meeting you where you are in regard to dental health, you and your dentist can make a plan towards a healthier smile in the future. Schedule your consultation today!

One of the most common dental emergencies for people to experience is a tooth knocked out – or “avulsed” – tooth. Although scary, knowing what to do and acting quickly are the most important steps to saving your smile.

There Will Be A Lot Of Bleeding
Your mouth is full of blood vessels. During an emergency such as a blow to the mouth, you’ll see a lot of bleeding as a result.

While the bleeding can be scary, it’s a good thing. It means that there’s plenty of opportunities to help save your knocked out tooth if you act fast. It’s your body’s way of making sure you don’t develop an infection and that the wound heals quickly.

But first, apply a firm amount of pressure to your mouth, using a clean gauze or washcloth. If bleeding does not subside (such as in instances of clotting disorders or if you take certain anti-coagulation medication) then head to the nearest emergency room.

Act Fast
Locate your tooth. If it appears to be completely whole, you’re in luck! Gently rinse the tooth under a slow stream of water to remove any visible debris. Do not touch the tooth root, as this will displace the tiny fibers across the surface that will help to aid in reattachment. Handle it only by the crown (the part that you normally see above the gums.)

Reinsert Your Tooth
As unnatural as it may sound, the ideal situation is to place your tooth immediately back into the socket that it came out of.

Do not force it. Either your tooth will go back in, or possible bone damage will prevent it from doing so.

If you’re successful at reinserting the tooth, bite down on a gauze or clean cloth and head to your dentist’s office immediately.

Store Your Tooth Properly
If you can’t reinsert your tooth, then the right kind of storage will make a difference in if your tooth is salvageable when you get to the dentist’s office. It also prevents you from accidentally losing your tooth!

Put your tooth in a sealed container if possible (one with a lid, such as what you would keep food in.)

Your tooth needs to be completely submerged in liquid and kept moist. The best liquids to use are milk, contact solution, or some type of saline. Tap water should only be used as a last resort; if used, add a pinch of table salt.

Another option is to tuck your tooth inside of your cheek, keeping it completely moist with your body’s own saliva.

Depending on where you are when your avulsed tooth emergency takes place, the first aid kit may have a tooth kit that contains a special formula and bottle for your knocked-out tooth to be kept in.

See A Dentist Immediately
For the best success in reimplanting a knocked-out tooth, you need to see a dentist within 1-2 hours. Waiting longer will significantly lower your chances of being able to save it.

Most dentists will be able to accommodate such dental emergencies as quickly as possible, even if it’s after hours. The key is to have a provider on hand that you know and trust; hopefully, once you’ve already been seeing for years!

If you have a knocked-out tooth, contact a Smilelab Dental Center near you immediately.

Tooth Decay is caused by an infectious disease called dental caries. Caries are the formation of holes, or “cavities,” in your teeth by acid-producing bacteria. It is the world’s most common infectious disease of children today. The presence and extent of tooth decay in your mouth depend on the balance of a number of risk factors. This balance varies between different people as well as within the same person over that person’s lifespan. For those people who are at increased risk for caries, regular brushing and flossing alone will not prevent their teeth from decaying.

The risk factors for tooth decay are:

• The amount and type of tooth decay-causing bacteria in your mouth
• The ability of your saliva to neutralize or buffer the acid produced by these bacteria
• The mineral composition or hardness of your enamel
• Your dental home care routine
• Your diet

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk Of Future Tooth Decay?
The first step in addressing tooth decay is to restore the teeth that have cavities. The decay must be removed and the missing tooth structure is replaced with a dental restoration. Your dentist may also suggest placing dental sealants or small preventive fillings on teeth with high decay risk. There are also important things that you must do on your own to decrease your risk of tooth decay.

Here are some things that may be recommended for use at home:

• Special oral rinses that reduce the number of caries-causing bacteria in your mouth
• Oral aids, such as special lollipops or chewing gum that increases salivary flow
• Mineral applications of fluoride, calcium, and/or phosphate to your teeth to harden the enamel
• Xylitol containing products to decrease mouth acidity
• Customized home dental care instruction
• Customized dietary counseling Discuss these options with your dentist and hygienist so that together you can make a plan that is right for you.

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Tooth Decay?
The bacteria in tooth decay will eventually reach the nerve and blood supply of your tooth if your cavity is left untreated. The resulting pain and infection must be addressed by either a root canal treatment or an extraction of the tooth. If the cavity is too big, the tooth may not be restorable and may need to be extracted.

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that purposely lengthens a tooth, by removing some of its bone and gum. It may be carried out for either functional or esthetic reasons.

Why Would I Need Crown Lengthening?
Function: This surgical procedure is recommended if there is not enough healthy tooth structure above the gum. By changing the bone level and exposing more of the tooth structure, a tooth can be properly restored with a crown or other restoration.

Esthetics: This procedure can improve a gummy smile of the front teeth. By changing the bone level around the teeth in question and subsequently changing the levels of the gums, an esthetic improvement is achieved.

What Are My Risks?
Risks associated with local anesthetic, bleeding, bruising, swelling and infection are all possible complications. Tooth sensitivity, exposure of adjacent tooth structure and exposure of restoration margins may also occur.

What Are My Alternatives?
You may elect to remove the tooth that cannot be properly restored without crown lengthening. The tooth will then likely need to be replaced. An alternative to crown lengthening might be to orthodontically move the tooth into the mouth.

What If I Elect Not To Have Crown Lengthening?
If you elect not to have crown lengthening for functional reasons, the result may be premature loss of the tooth. This procedure may be necessary to achieve your esthetic objectives if the goal is to improve a gummy smile.

A discolored filling is a tooth filling that gets dark as it ages. The dark appearance may be around the edge of the tooth, underneath the filling, or within the filling itself.

What Causes A Discolored Filling?
Discolored fillings may be caused by leaking around the edges of a filling or staining from things we put in our mouth. When fluids leak underneath a filling, staining and decay may develop. Leakage may appear as a dark line around the edge of the filling or a dark area underneath the filling itself. White fillings may turn a darker color over time from smoking, drying out, or exposure to high staining foods or drinks.

Who Is At High Risk For A Discolored Filling?
Some people are more susceptible to having a discolored filling. The risk factors for a discolored filling are: • Older fillings • Open edges or gaps between the filling and tooth • Decay under or around the filling • Poor oral hygiene • Exposure to high staining drinks such as coffee, tea, and red wine • Smoking

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk Of Having A Discolored Filling In The Future?
To minimize your risk of discolored filling, there are some important things you must do on your own. Here are some things that may be recommended: • Carefully clean your teeth every day, as recommended by your dentist and hygienist • Have your dentist check your fillings regularly • Replace old fillings that are leaking or turning dark • Have your teeth professionally cleaned regularly • Limit high staining foods and drinks • Do not smoke

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Discolored Filling?
If the discoloration is due to a leaking filling, dental decay will eventually develop. If left alone for too long, the tooth may need a root canal treatment or extraction. If the discolored filling is caused by staining, the filling will continue to darken and become more unsightly over time.

There are several different methods and types of dental implant options available. From traditional full-arch dental implants to mini-implant designs made for non-conventional patients, the choices are far broader than what they’ve been in years past. The same goes for how long it takes to complete implant treatment!

With today’s “immediate load” implant designs, it’s possible to get your new implant placed and restored with a crown on the very same day. There’s no need to wait months between appointments to finally top the implant off with a fixed restoration.

Same-Day Dental Implants
An immediate load implant is one that’s placed and restored in one appointment. Traditional implants are usually placed, covered to allow the area to heal, and then restored with a fixed restoration several months later. In contrast, same-day implants are installed and then have a fixed restoration placed at the same appointment, while bone integrates with the biocompatible, artificial tooth root.

Improved Aesthetics
Most immediate load dental implants are placed in the “aesthetic zone” of a person’s smile, that is, toward the front of their mouth. Such areas typically don’t have to bear as much weight as back molars would for grinding and chewing. As such, they are at less of a risk for any complications when pressure is applied to them.

Having a missing front tooth can be tremendously embarrassing. But with an immediate load implant, you’re able to enjoy a new “tooth” in just one trip to the dentist’s office.

Provisional Restorations
Depending on which tooth you’re replacing, your immediate load dental implant may have what we consider a “provisional” restoration placed on the date of surgery, then a more permanent restoration a few months later. Provisional crowns or bridges are made to eliminate aesthetic concerns but aren’t such that they’re kept in the mouth on a permanent, long-term basis.

Why? Because your oral anatomy and gum tissues will slightly change after an implant is placed. After everything has been integrated properly, those minor changes may cause the provisional crown to start to stand out. It’s at that point where a more permanent porcelain design would be recommended.

Advantages Of Digital Placement
Many same-day implant providers utilize CT/cone beam scanning to digitally map out the placement of the implant in advance of the surgery. This digital imaging allows for the opportunity to create a surgical guide for minimally invasive and efficient placement of the implant(s). Most patients experience less discomfort and faster healing while minimizing the need for additional bone grafts

Find Out If You’re A Candidate For An Immediate Load Implant
Like the idea of getting an immediate load implant? Not everyone qualifies for a same-day dental treatment, but the first step is to talk with a provider to find out if you’re a candidate (or which other alternatives may be a better option.) Talk to a Smilelab Dental Center to learn more about immediate load implant treatments to find out which one is right for you!

Some people are at higher risk than others for producing too little saliva (Dry Mouth). The following conditions can upset your body’s balance and put you at a higher risk for dry mouth:

• Age – Salivary flow naturally decreases over your lifespan
• Diet – Excessive caffeine or alcohol intake inhibits salivary flow
• Medications – Many prescription drugs have the side effect of decreasing salivary flow
• Radiation Treatment – Head and neck radiation treatment may decrease or eliminate salivary gland function
• Medical conditions – Certain diseases as well as salivary gland tumors will decrease salivary flow

What Can I Do To Reduce My Dry Mouth Problem?
Smilelab Dental Center trained dentists can evaluate your individual risk factors and customize a Dry Mouth Management Protocol for you. Once you have your protocol, it is up to you to carry out its important steps on your own.

Here are some things you can do at home:

• Apply special water-based lubricants to protect your teeth and tissues
• Use sugar-free mints or chewing gum to stimulate salivary flow
• Use a humidifier while sleeping to prevent your mouth from drying out
• Use oral medication to stimulate salivary flow
  Learn more about the intake of caffeine and alcohol as well as the intake of water and other rehydrating fluids

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Dry Mouth?
If your oral imbalance is left unaddressed, continuing dry mouth will put you at a much higher risk for many oral diseases. Severe tooth decay often results in infection requiring either root canal treatment or tooth extraction. Even with adequate tooth brushing, patients with dry mouths may experience bad breath. The risk of mouth sores and loss of tooth structure due to wear and acid erosion also increases.

Smilelab Dental Center dentists are trained with the most up-to-date research and focus on the patients’ health first. Find one in your area –

Erosion is the progressive chemical wear of the teeth caused by excessive dietary or stomach acids. It is an important and potentially destructive cause of tooth wear, ranging from the thinning of the inside surfaces of the upper front teeth to total loss of the biting surfaces of the back teeth.

What Are The Sources Of The Acids That Cause Erosion?
Stomach acid is the most destructive cause of erosion on teeth. It is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, [GERD] and chronic vomiting due to causes such as chemotherapy or bulimia nervosa. A less severe form of erosion is caused by acids associated with diet, particularly citric acid, sport drinks, and other acidic drinks and fruits. An occupational risk associated with long term exposure to acidic fumes through galvanizing and battery production, professional wine tasting, and a recreational risk associated with competitive swimming have all been identified as possible causes of erosion.

What Can Be Done To Evaluate The Erosion Of My Teeth?
Your dentist may suggest the following:

• A thorough review of your medications and medical and dental history
• A discussion of possible destructive acids in your diet
• Measurement of the severity and location of the areas of erosion
• Measurement of the amount of saliva in your mouth to determine the possibility of dry mouth
• A review of home care including brushing technique and using an appropriate toothpaste
• An evaluation of possible occupational risks

What Can Be Done To Manage The Erosion Of My Teeth?
Your customized management protocol may include:

• Treatment of the eroded teeth and regular dental checkups
• Medical referral where indicated
• Reduction of acid exposure by reducing the frequency and contact of acids
• Protective mouth-guards or a spacer device to deliver inhaled drugs
• A soft toothbrush and low-abrasion toothpaste
  The use of chewing gum to reduce acid reflux

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About The Erosion Of My Teeth?
Continual erosion will affect the appearance of the teeth and may lead to sensitivity and possibly tooth loss.

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Fluoride is a chemical ion of the element fluorine. It is found naturally in water, foods, soil, and several minerals.

What Are The Benefits Of Fluoride?
Fluoride helps protect teeth from decay and cavities. Teeth with fluoride in the enamel simply resist acids better than teeth that have not. When bacteria in the mouth combine with sugars, acid is produced that can dissolve tooth structure and cause cavities or erode away the enamel. It protects teeth from demineralization caused by the acid. It can also help with repairing enamel that has been mildly damaged by acids. Studies have shown water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing tooth decay by 20- 40%, even with widespread availability of fluoride from other sources.

Who Should Have Fluoride?
Both children and adults can benefit from fluoride use. Especially helpful for those with a history of tooth decay, poor dental hygiene, a high acid/sugar diet and those who experience dry mouth.

What Are The Risks?
As with any medical treatment, toxic effects can occur with extreme doses. Overdose is possible, for example, if a small child consumes an entire tube of toothpaste or ingests multiple supplement tablets. Fluoride can cause discoloration of enamel if excess amounts are used over long periods of time while the teeth are developing.

What Are The Alternatives?
There are no known alternatives that provide equal benefits for the health and strength of tooth enamel.

What Are The Risks Of Not Using Fluoride?
Generally, there is a significantly increased risk of developing cavities.

Smilelab Dental Center dentists are trained with the most up-to-date research and focus on the patients’ health first. Find one in your area – Alumni Look Up

Fluoride is a natural occurring mineral that’s found in everything from the soil and plant life to fish and natural water sources. It’s just one of the minerals alongside of calcium that our body uses to form strong bones (and teeth!)

But fluoride also comes in different variations. One of the most popular is sodium fluoride, as it’s very soluble in water. As such, it’s one of the frequently used variations of fluoride for municipal water treatments as well as services found in your dentist’s office.

When applied directly to your teeth, sodium fluoride remineralizes weakened enamel and makes healthy tooth structure more resistant to decay.

Varnish Vs. Gel Or Foam
In the “old days,” (which really weren’t even that long ago, really,) most professional fluoride treatments that you received after a dental cleaning were in the form of a foam or gel inside of a squishy tray that fit over your teeth. You wore the tray for a few minutes, then any remaining fluoride was suctioned away, and you were advised to not eat or drink for a half hour or more. This prevented any surface fluoride from being washed or wiped away, allowing the porous tooth enamel to soak in as much as possible.

But with a varnish, the tacky-like texture immediately adheres to the tooth and stays there for several hours. It’s applied with a small brush just one tooth at a time and in most cases, there are no dietary restrictions. Just avoid brushing your teeth until the end of the day, so that the fluoride can be absorbed as much as possible.

Advantages Of Fluoride Varnish
With a sodium fluoride varnish, you can enjoy:

• Maximum mineral uptake into your teeth
• No need to wait to eat or drink after your dental appointment
• Relief for tooth sensitivity
• Reversal of enamel demineralization (early tooth decay)
• Greater resistance against cavities

Using Fluoride Varnish To Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
Fluoride varnish is an effective option for managing chronic tooth sensitivity. If your teeth are healthy but tend to be hypersensitive to temperature changes (as when you’re eating) or just breathing in through your mouth, then you may want to request a varnish treatment.

Applying fluoride varnish usually provides relief for sensitive teeth on the very same day, with results lasting up to three or four months. You can stop by your dentist’s office at any time to have another treatment. Even if it’s not covered by your dental insurance, the affordable procedure is worth the minimal investment!

Is Fluoride Dangerous?
As with any type of vitamin or mineral, ingesting too much of a good thing isn’t good. But inappropriate doses, fluoride is vital to having a healthy smile that lasts through life. Not only do regular fluoride exposures or varnish treatments help you keep your teeth strong, they significantly lower the risk of decay due to the gradual erosion process from our foods and drinks. Most professionals suggest an application every six months for preventative purposes.

If you have questions about sodium fluoride varnish, be sure to speak with your Smilelab Dental Center dentist! Find one near you today.

Tooth Decay is caused by an infectious disease called dental caries. Caries is the formation of holes, or “cavities,” in your teeth by acid-producing bacteria. It is the world’s most common infectious disease of children today

What Causes Tooth Decay?
The presence and extent of tooth decay in your mouth depends on the balance of a number of risk factors. This balance varies between different people as well as within the same person over that person’s lifespan. For those people who are at increased risk for caries, regular brushing and flossing alone will not prevent their teeth from decaying. The risk factors for tooth decay are:

• The amount and type of tooth decay-causing bacteria in your mouth
• The ability of your saliva to neutralize or buffer the acid produced by these bacteria
• The mineral composition or hardness of your enamel
• Your dental home care routine
• Your diet

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk Of Future Tooth Decay?
The first step in addressing tooth decay is to restore the teeth that have cavities. The decay must be removed and the missing tooth structure is replaced with a dental restoration. Your dentist may also suggest placing dental sealants or small preventive fillings on teeth with high decay risk. There are also important things that you must do on your own to decrease your risk of tooth decay. Here are some things that may be recommended for use at home:

• Special oral rinses that reduce the number of caries-causing bacteria in your mouth
• Oral aids, such as special lollipops or chewing gum that increase salivary flow
• Mineral applications of fluoride, calcium, and/or phosphate to your teeth to harden the enamel
• Xylitol containing products to decrease mouth acidity
• Customized home dental care instruction
• Customized dietary counselling Discuss these options with your dentist and hygienist so that together you can make a plan that is right for you.

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Tooth Decay?
The bacteria in tooth decay will eventually reach the nerve and blood supply of your tooth if your cavity is left untreated. The resulting pain and infection must be addressed by either a root canal treatment or an extraction of the tooth. If the cavity is too big, the tooth may not be restorable and may need to be extracted.

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Tooth wear is the loss of healthy structure for reasons other than decay. Although no cavities are present, teeth become shorter and often thinner over time. Tooth wear may decrease proper chewing ability and may also noticeably change the appearance of your smile.

What Causes Tooth Wear?
Tooth Wear Is Not Normal. Three Causes For Tooth Wear Have Been Identified:

• Acid erosion appears as grooving or dishing of the biting surface of your teeth. The risk factors for acid erosion are:
  • Chronic dry mouth
  • Chronic vomiting or “GERD” (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
  • Diet – sports drinks, soft drinks, candies, citrus fruits
  • Environment – certain acidic work places, swimming pools
• Bite wear which appears as shortening or thinning of your teeth. The risk factors for bite wear are:
  • An unbalanced bite – your teeth should contact evenly on both sides
  • Grinding your teeth
  • An overly abrasive diet
• Tooth cleaning abrasion which appears as notching near the gum line of your teeth. The risk factors for tooth cleaning abrasion are:
  • Abrasive dental home care aids such as some toothpastes and toothbrushes
  • Using too much pressure on your toothbrush or toothpicks when cleaning your teeth

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk Of Future Tooth Wear?
The first step in addressing tooth wear is to have your dentist evaluate your individual risk factors and customize an appropriate management protocol for you. Your tooth wear management protocol may include:

• Diagnosing and managing chronic dry mouth
• Diagnosing and treating conditions related to chronic vomiting and GERD
• Customized dietary counseling
• Diagnosing and treating an unbalanced bite
• Making a mouthguard to protect your teeth from grinding
• Mineral applications to your teeth such as fluoride to harden the notched surfaces
• Customized home dental care instruction

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Tooth Wear?
Other than impacting the way you look, untreated tooth wear may lead to the nerve of your tooth being exposed. When this occurs, the affected tooth will require root canal treatment to save it. If tooth wear remains untreated, it can lead to the tooth becoming damaged to the extent it must be removed.

Most people are familiar with traditional dental fillings and crowns (“caps”.) But not many individuals have heard of an alternative to these treatments, known as a dental inlays and onlays.

What Is Are Inlays And Onlays, And What Are The Advantages Of Requesting This Treatment In Lieu Of A Standard Restoration?

Larger Than A Filling, Smaller Than A Crown
Fillings are ideal when a tooth has a small cavity. But when tooth decay or fractures extend deeper into teeth, trying to patch it up with a filling only places the tooth at a higher risk of fracturing and cracking during everyday use. At this point, the majority of general and cosmetic dentists progress to a full coverage dental crown that protects the entire tooth, even if there is significant healthy structure remaining.

Sometimes fillings are not effective, but crowns are too aggressive than what’s truly necessary. It’s at this point where dental inlays and onlays come into play. An inlay or onlay offers greater protection and durability than a large filling but is significantly less invasive than a full coverage “cap” which requires reshaping of the tooth entirely. Yet, many dentists do not offer inlays and onlays in their practice.

Filling In The Fissures/Valleys And Grooves
Inlays are sometimes called “lab made fillings” because of their purpose and design process. An inlay essentially fills in the valleys and hollows inside of a tooth, as long as the cusps around it are still intact. It’s almost like a large filling, except more durable than a standard composite or amalgam (metal) restoration.

Because inlays restore such a large portion of teeth, they’re made in a lab like a crown. First, the compromised tooth structure is removed, then an impression or digital scan is taken. The impression/scan is transferred to the lab, where a technician designs it by hand or has it milled electronically. Because it’s made from a solid piece of ceramic or zirconia, the inlay is extremely durable and acts to strengthen the tooth, rather than pose a risk to the enamel that’s left.

Covering The Cusps And Biting Edges
In contrast, onlays cover the cusps and ridges (or biting edges) of teeth, rebuilding enamel that’s been chipped or broken off. When it comes to recreating the shape of compromised teeth, an onlay is more like a traditional crown, except it does not cover the full tooth surface.

Onlays are sometimes called “three-quarter crowns” because of their ability to cover such a large area, without encompassing the entire tooth. As such, they’re more conservative than traditional crowns, allowing you to preserve as much healthy, natural tooth structure as possible.

Experience The Difference Of Conservative Dentistry
Smilelab Dental Center graduates provide a wide variety of restorative choices aside from those found in traditional dental practices across the United States. To learn more about what a minimally invasive dental onlay or inlay can do for your smile, contact Smilelab Dental Center dentist in your area today.

Sensitive teeth (dentinal hypersensitivity) can occur when gums pull away from your teeth at the gumline exposing the dentin layer of your tooth. Dentin is the softer tooth layer that lies beneath the hard enamel surface. Below the gumline dentin is not protected by the enamel that covers the part of the tooth you can see in your mouth. Once dentin is exposed, the microscopic pores called tubules that lead to the tooth nerve are left unprotected. Hot, cold and sometimes sweet or acidic foods can trigger sensitivity pain.

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?
There are several ways that dentin can become exposed leading to tooth sensitivity.

Common Causes Of Sensitive Teeth Resulting From Dentin Exposure

• Gum recession due to gum disease
• Overaggressive brushing or brushing with a hard bristled toothbrush
• Too many acidic foods and beverages
• Teeth grinding
• Tooth decay or physical injury to the tooth
• Recent dental procedure

Always see your dental professional for tooth pain that is severe or consistent and lasts for more than a day or two, but if you have the sharp, shooting pains commonly felt with tooth sensitivity, use products that are designed to block the tubules and relieve the pain including toothpaste for sensitive teeth and gums.

What Can I Do To Manage Sensitive Teeth?
With the many recent advancements in oral health technology, you might not have to accept sensitive teeth as a fact of life. There are a number of options for treatment of sensitive teeth:

• Brush and floss your teeth twice a day to prevent gum disease.
• Be sure to clean all parts of your mouth, including between teeth and along the gumline
• Brush gently and use a soft bristled electric toothbrush. This will help prevent overaggressive brushing and protect your enamel from being worn away
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks
• Use a toothpaste designed to help protect your teeth against sensitivity

Smilelab Dental Center dentists are trained with the most up to date research and focus on the patients’ health first. Find one in your area.

Resource from: https://www.dentalcare.com/en-usf

A loose tooth is one which moves or wiggles in the mouth. As a natural stage of dental development, children have loose baby teeth when their adult teeth are growing in. A loose tooth in an adult is not normal and indicates an existing problem.

What Causes A Loose Tooth?
A loose tooth can be caused by the loss of bone around the tooth (“periodontal disease”), a broken root of the tooth (trauma) or a widened space between the root and the bone that the tooth sits in (infection or long-term stress).

Who Is At High Risk For A Loose Tooth?
Some people are more susceptible than others to having a loose tooth. The people at high risk for having a loose tooth are those with:

• Advanced periodontal disease
• An unbalanced bite
• Excessive bite forces
• Traumatic injuries to teeth
• Infections around teeth

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk Of A Loose Tooth In The Future?
Your dentist will make recommendations to manage the specific loose tooth risk factors that apply to you. Here are some things that may be recommended:

• Periodontal management procedures
• “Equilibrating” or balancing your bite
• Wearing a night guard
• Wearing a sports guard
• Treating any infections associated with your teeth

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Loose Tooth?
Most often, a loose tooth will become progressively looser and eventually fall out. This process is frequently accompanied by pain and infection.

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A cracked filling is a dental restoration in your tooth that has failed because it has broken into pieces.

What Causes A Cracked Filling?
A filling can crack when it is old, large or it has too much biting pressure on it. It can also crack if the tooth structure under the filling has softened.

Who Is At High Risk For A Cracked Filling?
People Who Have Previously Broken Teeth Or Fillings May Be More Likely To Break Them In The Future. Other Factors That Can Increase The Risk Of Cracked Or Broken Fillings Are:

• The presence of older and larger fillings
• People who grind their teeth or have strong chewing muscles
• People who have uneven or unbalanced bites
• People who have destructive habits such as chewing ice or opening things with their teeth

What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk Of A Cracked Filling In The Future?
Your Dentist Will Make Recommendations To Minimize Your Risk Of A Cracked Filling. Here Are Some Things That May Be Recommended:

• Replace older fillings before they break
• Place a dental cap or “crown” over very large fillings to protect them
• Have your bite adjusted if it is unbalanced
• Wear a night-time grinding appliance
• Do not chew ice or use your teeth to open things

What Will Happen If I Choose To Do Nothing About My Cracked Filling?
Bacteria can get into cracks in a filling and lead to decay under the filling material. This decay can rapidly progress into the nerve of your tooth causing a vital abscess. When this happens, the tooth requires root canal treatment or extraction to address the infection.

Is it time for your child’s teeth to start falling out? As exciting as a milestone as it is, the age in which it happens can vary from one child to the next. Some children get teeth earlier than their siblings and other children lose teeth later than their peers. Everything from a child’s age to their gender can play a role.

Generally speaking, most children lose their first tooth around age six. If you have a child in kindergarten or first grade, tooth loss is just one of many firsts they’ll be experiencing. Age six is also the time where the first adult teeth start to come in: the ones replacing the baby teeth about to fall out, as well as permanent molars near the back of their mouths.

Girls typically get their teeth sooner than boys.

Exfoliation Over Time
When a dentist talks about teeth falling out, they use the term “exfoliation.” This process of teeth coming in and shedding starts at the front of the mouth, working its way back.

Although teeth start falling out around age six, it’s not until most children are around 12 years old when the final baby teeth fall out. That means when it’s time for junior high, most of the baby teeth will be long gone.

When Do The Last Teeth Come In?
Although the last baby tooth falls out sometime in late middle school, your child’s adult smile is still forming. Erupted adult teeth may not have fully developed roots quite yet, which is why some types of dental procedures are avoided until they’re older.

Wisdom teeth generally start to make an appearance sometime during high school or college. But it’s not uncommon for young adults well into their late 20s to experience the uncomfortable stages of a wisdom tooth coming through.

Making Sure Your Child’s Smile Is On Track
In specific situations, some children’s teeth don’t fall out without a little…intervention. For example, certain types of disorders may prevent baby teeth from resorbing (shrinking) when they’re pressed on by the adult tooth. This situation can lead to the permanent teeth becoming impacted and a host of orthodontic problems. If that’s the case, they may need to have their family or pediatric dentist extract the tooth on a certain schedule.

In other instances, a lack of a tooth falling out could indicate a developmental irregularity or a missing tooth (which isn’t as uncommon as you may think.)

To ensure your child’s smile is developing properly, be sure to see a dentist at least every six months, starting around your son or daughter’s first birthday. With regular oversight, a host of unwanted dental complications can be avoided.

The Key To A Healthy Smile In Adults
Your child’s smile sets the bar for healthy, straight adult teeth later on in their life. Baby teeth guide the permanent ones into the right place, so losing one prematurely could be a problem.

Schedule regular visits for your family with a Smilelab Dental Center dentist for healthy smiles that last a lifetime.

Your dentist just recommended endodontic therapy on one of your teeth; in other words, a root canal. You’ve heard a lot of stories about root canals in the past and probably have some concerns about what to expect.

But moving forward with your root canal treatment is essential to save your tooth. Without it, it’s just a matter of time before you need a dental extraction or the infection spreads to adjacent teeth. Getting endodontic therapy in a timely manner helps to save your smile as a whole.

Here’s what to expect:

You Won’t Have To Feel A Thing
Just like any other routine dental procedure, the tooth being restored will be fully anesthetized. Local anesthetic is applied to the area around it, preventing any discomfort once the treatment starts.

It Takes Longer Than A Filling
Depending on which tooth is being treated, it may have anywhere from 1-3 roots. This is a big factor when it comes to the length of your appointment (treating fewer roots takes less time.)

Additionally, some teeth have unique root anatomy, making them more challenging to treat. For example, a root may be curved or hooked at the end, requiring special resources to clean out the nerve canal and fill it.

Your dentist or endodontist will use a soft mouth prop to help you relax your jaws and facial muscles throughout the process.

Will I Hurt After My Root Canal?
If you’re slightly sore the next day, it’s usually where the local anesthetic was injected or due to some joint irritation. Plan to massage your face, jaw, and take an anti-inflammatory to prevent any potential discomfort before it starts.

The goal of endodontic therapy — aside from preserving your tooth — is to alleviate the risk of pain. Treating your tooth with a root canal is meant to help you avoid any potential discomfort from an infection. Today’s resources and technology can make getting a root canal essentially pain free.

What Happens During Endodontic Therapy?
The root canal procedure itself will remove the infected nerve tissues from inside your tooth. If left in place, the tooth will resorb and abscess, ultimately requiring an extraction.

After the chamber is cleaned and decontaminated, a filling material will be placed down into the hollow canals to prevent the risk of reinfection.

The remaining tooth structure will now be disease-free, but more brittle as it is no longer vital. Your dentist will place a protective ceramic crown over the tooth, allowing it to function normally without wearing down due to everyday use.

Caring For Your Tooth After Treatment
Now that your tooth is restored both inside and out, you’ll want to continue caring for it as if nothing had happened. Daily brushing and flossing are essential, to prevent any gum disease or decay from affecting the outer surfaces along the gumlines.

Who To See For Your Treatment
Root canal therapy requires added dexterity, resources, and experience on the part of your dentist. Smilelab Dental Center-trained dentists have added skills in performing gentle endodontic services to their patients. Contact us!