How Your Oral Care Needs Can Change Over The Years

Posted January 26, 2017 by Dr. Cain

Your routine oral health care is an effort to keep your smile in good condition for a lifetime. While your morning routine may not see many changes, your overall oral health needs can change over the years. Your dentist understands this, and can tailor their care to the needs you have in your particular life stage. For younger patients, that tailored care can involve more instruction, to help them learn the importance of preventive dental care. During your adult years, your regular checkups can be all about maintaining an attractive and healthy smile, one that will last well into your senior years.

Taking Care Of A Child’s Dental Needs

Your dentist can help your child grasp the need to take care of their teeth. During visits with early children, your dentist can take the time to show them proper brushing and flossing habits, and explain the importance of these habits. They can also watch your child’s oral development, and alert you to problems that need to be addressed.

Sustaining A Healthy Smile In Adulthood

Keeping up with oral care in adulthood can help you keep your teeth looking great, while limiting your experience with cavities. Regular appointments will make it easier for you to avoid serious cavities that require root canal treatment.

Taking Care Of The Needs Of Older Patients

As the years pass, layers of enamel on our teeth can wear down. Between this erosion over time, and complications from other health issues, your cavity risk can raise. Your dentist can work with you to keep your smile in good health. If you are self-conscious about the way your teeth look, you can talk to them about cosmetic dental work.

To learn how your oral care needs can change over the years, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.

Taking On The Issue Of TMJ Pain

Posted January 19, 2017 by Dr. Cain

TMJ pain has the ability to ruin your day. You can find yourself struggling with limited jaw function, or discomfort that accompanies basic actions like eating, or speaking. However, your jaw is not the only area where you could be dealing with pain. Because your jaw is controlled by the trigeminal nerve, which also controls sensation in your face, neck, and head, you could deal with discomfort in several areas. If you suspect TMJ pain is affecting your quality of life, talk to your dentist about relief. They can help by providing an oral insert that helps with your jaw alignment – that adjustment can help alleviate your condition.

Addressing A Teeth Grinding Problem Can Stop Discomfort And Protect Teeth

Many people who deal with TMJ problems are also struggling with bruxism, a condition where they regularly grind their teeth at night. Putting a stop to this problem can be a relief to your jaw joints, and it can stop you from doing real harm to your teeth. Without intervention, bruxism sufferers could damage their teeth badly enough to need restorative dental care.

Make Sure Your Dentist Is Aware Of Problems Like TMJ Pain

If you want jaw problems to cease, make sure your dentist is aware of what is happening with your oral health. They can identify a number of different problems during a regular dental checkup, but there is less they can do to help when you do not come in for routine visits, and only arrive when something is wrong.

If you are dealing with TMJ pain, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.

Protecting Yourself From Dental Issues

Posted January 12, 2017 by Dr. Cain

The old idea that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure can apply to your oral health, as well as your regular health. Preventive dental care helps you keep your teeth healthy, so that you are less likely to need restorative dental treatment for problems like tooth decay. That care comes from efforts you take at home, like brushing and flossing, as well as being mindful of how your diet affects your teeth. It also comes from seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. These visits should take place every six months, unless your dentist sees a reason for you to come in at a different frequency.

Dedicated Care To Help Prevent Cavities

One major focus of dental care – care at home, and care from your dentist – aims to reduce your risk for allowing cavities to develop. What you can do at home to protect your teeth from decay is make sure you brush and floss effectively. These actions work together to fully protect your smile from harmful agents that can gather. Your dental visits include a careful cleaning of your teeth, to remove plaque and tartar. They also include a careful check for signs of decay.

How Addressing Bruxism And TMJ Issues Can Improve Your Well-Being

Bruxism and TMJ problems can put your oral health in jeopardy, and induce discomforts that can intrude on your daily life. Bruxism, a condition where you frequently grind your teeth, creates an excess of wear and tear that can lead to serious dental damage, while causing you discomfort. TMJ problems can affect your ability to bite and chew, and leave you in frequent pain. Your dentist’s help in managing these problems can improve your oral health, and free you from regular discomfort.

To learn more about how you can protect yourself from dental issues, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.

Porcelain Veneers Can Provide A New Smile For The New Year

Posted January 5, 2017 by Dr. Cain

Are you looking for a way to finally move past feelings of self-consciousness about your smile? You can spend 2017 (and beyond) with a smile you are excited to share by having porcelain veneers placed. Veneers are wafer-like shells your dentist permanently places on the front of your teeth. This process requires an initial visit. Part of why you go in for an initial visit is to have measurements taken, so that your veneers are an exact fit. You can also have work done on the front of your teeth, to prepare them to receive the veneers once they are crafted. Once you have them placed, you will need to take proper care of them. While they are durable enough to handle daily rigors placed on teeth, you should avoid items that could stain them, particularly dark beverages like tea, or coffee.

How Veneers Address Multiple Cosmetic Issues With One Treatment

People with multiple dental flaws can be completely satisfied by having veneers placed. This is possible because veneers offer total coverage of the front of teeth. You can use them to hide discoloration, as well as dental damage. You can even make corrections for misshapen teeth.

Making Sure You Are Ready To Have Your Veneers Placed

Not everyone will be immediately approved for porcelain veneers. Your dentist may hesitate because you have existing cavities, or other problems, that will complicate placement. Restorative dental procedures can be performed, so that you can be ready for your cosmetic dental work. Gum disease can also cause problems, as poor periodontal health can lead to a recession of gum tissue, which will expose areas of teeth not covered by veneers. That exposure can make your smile look unnatural when you have veneers.

If you are interested in porcelain veneers, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.

Need A Dental Crown? What To Expect

Posted December 29, 2016 by Dr. Cain

People who keep up with oral health care at home, and enjoy regular dental visits, are less likely to need a dental crown than those who neglect their teeth. This is because you are less likely to have a cavity – and, because you keep up with regular visits, your dentist can catch a cavity that has formed before a crown is needed. That being said, crowns are required for more than just tooth decay. You could need one after a dental injury, or to support a small or weak tooth. If you have a tooth that requires a crown, you should know that having one placed can help you avoid tooth sensitivity, and should not have a negative effect on your appearance. In fact, by placing a crown on a flawed tooth, you could actually improve your smile.

Having Your Crown Created And Placed

CEREC technology shortens the process of having a crown made and placed enough that you can receive yours after one visit. Your dentist will take the required measurements, and those measurements will be used to craft your crown in-office, with the use of a milling machine. Once it is produced, the crown can be placed on your tooth.

How Long Will My Dental Crown Last?

Your crown should last for many years, but ultimately its longevity will be affected by the care you provide. Poor at-home care and excess wear and tear can cause your crown to wear down prematurely. Your dentist can check on its condition during routine visits.

If you need a dental crown, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.

Using Dental Sedation To Help Anxious Patients

Posted December 22, 2016 by Dr. Cain

To help with dental discomfort during a more advanced restorative procedure, like a root canal treatment, your dentist can provide relief in the form of dental sedation. The administering of nitrous oxide or an oral sedative can ensure you go through a procedure without undue unease. Because restorative work at this stage can help rid you of ongoing dental pain, this can mean enjoying serious relief. Dental sedation is not just for patients undergoing serious work – some people who suffer dental anxiety can also benefit. These sedatives can help anxious patients make it through dental visits and treatments.

Relying On Dental Sedation To Improve The Patient Experience

If you need serious care, or if you feel incapable of comfortably making it through a standard dental visit, sedation can be helpful. With nitrous oxide, you can enjoy relaxation, while having the ability to recover from the effects of the gas in a relatively short time. For more severe anxiety, or for patients who will be undergoing a longer treatment, oral sedation can be provided. This will involve taking a sedative the night before, and another just prior to your visit. For maximum relief, nitrous oxide and oral sedation can be used in tandem.

Why Ignoring Dental Needs Can Lead To Real Problems

Letting a problem grow more severe because you are worried about seeing your dentist can mean suffering more serious problems. With regular dental visits every six months, you can have a problem spotted before it has time to seriously grow. However, if you stay away from the dentist’s chair – even when you think something is wrong – you can set yourself up to suffer a more consequential oral health issue.

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.

Worried You Have A Cavity? What You Should Know

Posted December 15, 2016 by Dr. Cain

A lifetime without suffering a cavity is a great goal. Unfortunately, it is a goal many people will fall short of. Bacteria on your teeth secrete acids as part of their digestion process (they like to feed on sugar, which is why sugary items are typically called out for being cavity risks). Your enamel is capable of recovering from smaller damages, but when a cavity develops, your tooth will not be able to heal itself. Your dentist will need to do restorative dental work to stop a cavity – this will involve removing the decayed tooth material, cleaning the tooth, and restoring what was removed.

Avoid Delays In Treatment From Your Dentist

Delaying treatment for a cavity allows that cavity more time to grow, and harm your tooth. Eventually, the decay can start to threaten your tooth by infiltrating your pulp, and harming the tooth’s nerves. If you want to avoid this sort of discomfort, and put a stop to the problem before you need a root canal treatment, see your dentist at your earliest opportunity.

Your Restoration Can Avoid Disrupting Your Appearance

Dental restorations can use materials that match your surrounding teeth effectively. The composite resin fillings used for smaller cavities can match the color of your tooth, and will be inconspicuous. Porcelain dental crowns have become popular for how closely they resemble natural teeth.

Regular Visits Will Make It Easier To Avoid Future Cavities

If you want to step up your cavity prevention, make sure you are seeing your dentist every six months. The regular dental cleaning you go through will remove tartar, which brushing and flossing can leave behind. You also receive a close examination, so small cavities that have formed will be pointed out, and promptly treated.

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.

Targeting Cosmetic Flaws To Help Improve Your Smile

Posted December 8, 2016 by Dr. Cain

Taking aim at dental flaws with cosmetic dental work can allow you to enjoy a dramatically improved appearance. People have different needs when it comes to making improvements to how they look; the same approach to cosmetic work would not serve every patient equally. The first step before engaging in any treatment is to talk with your dentist about what can best provide the changes you desire. You may be surprised to learn their recommendations. For instance, dental discoloration is not always best addressed with a professional whitening treatment – if you have intrinsic discoloration, you will need an alternative solution.

How Gum Contouring Can Improve Your Smile

Gum contouring allows patients with excess gum tissue, or an uneven gum line, to have precise corrections made that will improve their smile. This can be performed in tandem with another cosmetic procedure, or you may determine that it is all you need to have the results you want.

Doing Worth That Covers Up Physical Flaws With Teeth

You can use porcelain veneers to hide physical flaws that are affecting your teeth, or you can elect to have your dentist perform a dental bonding treat to address these problems. Porcelain veneers are custom-made to fit your teeth, and will be affixed permanently to the front of them. They cover up discoloration and damage, and can even alter the shape of a tooth. When your dentist performs a dental bonding treatment, they will use composite resin to treat damages, and help correct the look of misshapen or unusually small teeth.

The Right Approach To Whitening Your Teeth

Patients with a stained smile can see real changes after having a professional whitening procedure done. However, dental bonding and porcelain veneers can be more appropriate if you have discoloration caused by internal problems.

To learn how your dentist can help improve your smile, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.

Reach Out To Your Dentist For Help After A Dental Injury

Posted December 1, 2016 by Dr. Cain

A dental injury can be hazardous to your smile, and to your oral health. Unlike a cavity, which can take time to become severe, an accident can leave you in sudden need of serious restorative dental care. Your dentist is able to bring you in for treatment if you suffer a dental emergency. When you arrive, they can do whatever needs to be done to care for your smile. In cases where a tooth is significantly damaged, or even lost, they can help you recapture your look before the incident took place. That being said, their immediate concern will be putting a stop to any threats to your dental well-being.

Reacting Quickly To A Dental Emergency

Time may be of the essence if you have experienced a dental injury. If you find yourself with an avulsed (“knocked out”) tooth, you will have a limited span of time to seek treatment if you want a chance at keeping the tooth. A serious injury can also cause internal damage, which can be uncomfortable, and put you at risk.

Doing Cosmetic Work To Take Care Of Physical Damage

A physical injury can hurt, and it can be disruptive to your appearance, but it may not demand restorative care. In these situations, you can respond by seeking cosmetic dental care from your dentist. Unattractive chips and cracks in a tooth can draw unwanted attention, and make you unhappy with your smile. A cosmetic restoration can hide damage, so that your smile looks the way it did before you experienced an injury.

If you need to have a dental injury addressed, email us at info@healthysmilesnwi.com, or call the Healthy Smiles dental office in Gary, IN today at 219-938-2637.

Answering Questions About Tooth Extraction

Posted November 17, 2016 by Dr. Cain

Your dentist will take every possible step to save you from having to lose a tooth. Unfortunately, there can be situations where your dentist’s only recourse is to perform a tooth extraction. What you should understand is that an extraction related to tooth decay can be avoided if you seek treatment in time, as there are more conservative restorative dental treatments that can be performed. If you put off necessary care, an infected tooth can reach a point where there is no way to save it. If this occurs, your dentist will use their expertise to make sure your experience is as comfortable as possible. (more…)

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