A tooth extraction is certainly not something to look forward to. A typical patient would obviously prefer to keep all of their teeth. Your dentist is also keen to provide care that eliminates the need to perform an extraction. However, in some cases, this is still the necessary treatment for a dental problem. A serious injury, a cavity too severe for restorative dental work, and developmental problems may make this procedure necessary. If your dentist needs to remove a tooth, they can provide expert care, so that you feel at ease while this work is performed. Your dentist can also help if you experience any problems after the extraction. (more…)
How Coffee, Tea, And Other Beverages Can Affect Your Smile
While your favorite caffeinated drink may help you carry out your daily tasks, they can also have a negative effect on your teeth. Your smile faces risks daily, and the choices you make when it comes to what you eat and drink can affect that risk level. While regular preventive dental care can help you avoid problems like cavities, actions like brushing and flossing can provide more benefit when you reduce the amount of potential strain placed on your teeth. Of course, even good care, and a good diet, will not replace the detailed care your smile enjoys when you keep on top of your routine dental checkups. (more…)
Dental Fillings vs. Cavities
Cavities are the most common chronic dental issue, so it’s no surprise that dental fillings are among the most frequently recommended dental treatments. A cavity is a hole in your tooth that is caused by tooth decay and grows larger the longer it’s left untreated. A filling is a custom restoration that your dentist places in the cavity after cleaning and sanitizing the tooth. Fillings stop cavities from growing, and therefore help you repair your tooth and save it from more serious damage.
How a Dental Filling Works
Teeth are strong; in fact, they’re the most resilient parts of your whole body. However, when oral bacteria overwhelm them, they can fall victim to bacterial infection (tooth decay), which causes a cavity to form in your tooth structure. The first step to repairing the tooth is for your dentist to carefully clean away oral bacteria and infected tooth structure. Then, your dentist can fill the cavity with a restorative filling to replace the lost tooth structure. A filling procedure not only removes the decay from your tooth, but also strengthens the tooth so that it can continue to perform its duties.
Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Like all dental treatments, modern fillings can be custom-designed to meet your specific needs. Many of today’s fillings are crafted from tooth-colored composite resin, which is a biocompatible resin that can be tinted to match the appearance of your tooth. In addition to remaining discreet, tooth-colored fillings offer a number of other benefits, including:
- More secure restoration by bonding to your tooth structure
- Reduced risk of filling failure compared to metal, which changes shape over time
- No risk to patients with metal allergies
- Less abrasion against opposing teeth, which means less chance of excessive tooth wear
- And more
Fix Your Cavity with a Filling
If you have a cavity, then fix and save your tooth with a tooth-colored filling! To schedule an appointment with your dentist, contact Healthy Smiles in Gary, IN, by calling 219-938-2637, or by emailing our office at info@healthysmilesnwi.com. We also proudly serve the residents of Gary, Miller, Miller Beach, and all surrounding communities.
Grinding Your Teeth Can Do Serious Dental Damage
A clenched jaw may be a familiar response to stress, but if it becomes a habit for you, it can be a real problem. People with bruxism will grind their teeth out of habit, and can do so frequently during sleep. The force being placed on your teeth can build up, and you can experience real issues with your oral health because of this. Dental damage is common, and can be serious enough to call for restorative dental treatments to fix problems. Milder harm can still require cosmetic care. You also face the risk of developing jaw problems, often referred to as TMJ dysfunction. Your dentist can help with bruxism, and help you address TMJ problems. (more…)
Starting Your Child’s Regular Dental Checkups
Is your child ready to start dental visits? Your child’s smile will go through no small number of changes over the years. Their primary (baby) teeth will start to arrive, only to be lost, and replaced with their secondary (adult) teeth. During this time, their jaw is also growing and developing. The dental appointments that occur early in your child’s life are important because they allow your dentist to monitor their growth and development, and watch out for any worrying issues. These visits also help acclimate your child to the dentist’s office, which can make it easier for them to come in for routine visits over the years. Of course, it is also worth noting that children – like adults – benefit from the standard dental care provided in a checkup, as checkups can make it easier for them to stay cavity-free. (more…)
Counting On The Care Provided In Preventive Dental Visits
Does a regular dental visit do anything more for your teeth than just provide an inspection of them? Obviously, that inspection matters – especially if you have a cavity that needs to be treated. That being said, routine visits also offer real preventive oral health support. Your hygienist will perform a careful cleaning of your teeth that can eliminate tartar, which clings to your teeth even in spite of your best brushing and flossing efforts. Your dentist can also look for signs of trouble that may not be on your oral health radar, like gum disease. Patients who come in regularly for checkups, and take good care of their teeth at home, can limit the possibility they will need restorative dental care. (more…)
Adjusting To Life With Porcelain Veneers
Patients who seek porcelain veneers can be excited to show off their new smile as soon as possible, and to as many people as possible. That being said, that excitement can be mingled with some questions, particularly about how to best care for veneers after they have been placed. One thing you should know is that the porcelain material used to construct your veneers is remarkably durable, capable of standing up against the biting and chewing forces your teeth have to endure. They are also resistant to stains. However, you should remember that your veneers, like your teeth, need maintenance and care, as they are not invincible. (more…)
What To Expect From Your Experience With Dental Sedation
Some patients will happily walk in for a standard dental checkup, but drag their feet when they need to come in for a restorative dental treatment. Patients with dental anxiety may resist even a routine visit, due to the distress they feel at the thought of spending any time in the dentist’s chair. Patients will receive dental sedation under different circumstances. You may not need it for regular visits, but find that it helps you face an upcoming root canal treatment without undue alarm. If you feel that sedation will be called for just to have a routine appointment, your dentist can discuss this with you, and help ensure you have a comfortable experience.
Dental Sedation Is Important For Anxious Patients
Anxious patients can have a harder time with basic appointments. For these people, dental sedation can mean enjoying the ability to have any professional care for their teeth. Your dentist is aware that dental anxiety is a real problem, and sensitive to those who struggle with it.
Different Types Of Dental Sedation
Just as there are patients who experience different degrees of anxiety, there are different measures for managing those anxieties. Nitrous oxide can be administered during treatment to help you relax, and can wear off in time for you to drive yourself home. If you need something stronger, an oral sedative can be introduced.
The Importance Of Keeping Up With Regular Appointments
If you feel anxiety about basic dental services, you should understand that your risk for oral health problems goes up when you refuse to go in for checkups. You lose out on professional teeth cleanings, and the oversight of your dentist, who can find and stop tooth decay before it worsens, and starts to cause real issues.
To learn more about dental sedation, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.
If You Need A Cavity Treatment, Make It A Priority
Think about your daily schedule – would you have an easy time fitting in a cavity treatment, or would it be relatively hard for you to work in a restorative dental treatment? Unfortunately, it can be hard for some patients to make time for dental work. While your dentist understands this, you should understand that waiting to have restorative care can leave you at risk for developing a more advanced cavity. Make sure you have regular dental checkups scheduled, as these can make it easier for you to stay on top of your dental needs.
Delaying Treatment Can Lead To A Root Canal
The reason some patients will need a root canal treatment to address a cavity is that decay moved into their tooth’s pulp. This is not something that happens immediately – it takes time for a cavity to work its way to the center of your tooth. However, once it does, it can put your oral health in jeopardy, and leave you at risk for losing your tooth! If you want to prevent this issue altogether, make sure you seek prompt care whenever you are dealing with tooth decay.
Rely On Regular Checkups To Help You Stay On Top Of Your Cavity Care
If you want to prevent serious cavities, make sure you stay on top of semiannual dental visits. Ensuring your teeth are thoroughly checked for cavities every six months means limiting the time a cavity has to worsen. These routine visits make it easier to avoid serious cavities, though, of course, when you seek regular preventive dental care, you reduce your risk for cavities altogether.
If you need a cavity treatment, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.
What You Can Expect From A Whitening Treatment
How much of a change should you expect to see in your smile after a professional whitening treatment? If you have long been frustrated by the way stains in your teeth have affected your appearance, you can see a remarkable difference. While store-bought whitening agents have the power to remove staining particles that have stuck to the surface of your enamel, professional whitening agents can attack at a deeper level, and make teeth whiter by many shades. However, if your issues stem from something other than external stains, a different cosmetic dental treatment might be needed.
Choosing Between A Whitening And An Alternative Cosmetic Treatment
If you want your teeth to look whiter, why would you choose something besides a whitening treatment? Many patients have to look for an alternative cosmetic treatment because their discoloration is from an intrinsic source. That can mean discoloration caused by an injury, but it can also be a side effect of taking certain medications. Porcelain veneers may be able to help cover up intrinsic discoloration. Your dentist can take a look at your smile and help you recognize the cause of your smile issues.
You Can Whiten Your Teeth At Home, Or In The Office
You can actually choose if you want to have the treatment in your dentist’s office, or if you want to perform the treatment at home. During an in-office treatment, your dentist can offer examples of different shades of white, to help you determine your desired outcome, before the treatment takes place. At-home care can offer more convenience for patients with hectic schedules, as you can perform the procedure when it is most convenient for you.
If you are interested in a whitening treatment, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.