Why Undergo a Dental Examination

It is important to see a dentist regularly as any potential dental problem may be seen before it can cause more damage to your mouth, and for suitable action or treatment to be taken.

During dental examinations:

• The dentist will check your teeth for cavities; dental decay could possibly appear as a hole underneath the enamel’s surface. If the dentist should find a hole in the tooth, he may place a filling to stop food from entering in it.
• The dentist will then check your gums and the overall general oral hygiene making sure that there are no dental problems. In order to detect gum disease early on, dentists use an extensive exploration of the gums to test the depth of the pockets around the teeth.
• The dentist will next check the soft tissues to check if there are lesions.
• The dentist may afterward take radiographs. Radiographs show any hidden decay between the teeth and the level of the bone which may show signs of periodontal disease.
• The dentist will evaluate your risk of developing oral health problems.
• The dentist will most likely discuss with you, your diet and oral hygiene habits and techniques for
  proper brushing and flossing.

After the dental exam, the dentists will talk about your oral health, including your risk of tooth decay, gum disease or any other oral health problems that you may possibly have. He may also discuss the preventive measures you need to take care of to improve and at the same time protect your oral health. He will also recommend the best time to schedule your follow up visit, normally every six months. If he finds out that you are at high risk for tooth decay or gum disease, he may advise for more recurring checkups.

How to Prevent Teeth Discoloration

We really can’t resist the delightful aroma of coffee, tea and soda. The sweet taste of candy and chocolate is really addictive and we just can’t stop until the last bite. After eating that delicious chocolate filled cake, we are worried that our teeth might get stained and discolored. We then seek ways of how to easily whiten teeth. Some people seek natural ways of how to whiten teeth like medicinal plants and fruits. Just rub it to your teeth, leave it for five minutes and you will get a set of white teeth that you ever dreamed of. But is it effective?

Understanding Our Teeth

Our teeth are entirely covered by very strong, porcelain-like enamel that acts as a shield. Due to the daily pressure we put our teeth; this enamel slowly wears off, becoming more translucent. This permits the yellow color of dentin (the tooth’s core material) to show through, giving your teeth that stained, unattractive look. Due to constant chewing, millions of micro cracks can occur over the years and these cracks get easily filled up with excess debris, allowing stains to form and causing cavities. Taking care of your teeth, as well as using the proper techniques to whiten teeth, can help this plague build-up and the stains associated with the wear-and-tear of your daily eating routine.

How to prevent teeth discoloration?

There are many causes of teeth discoloration. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration. By making a few simple lifestyle changes, you may be able to prevent teeth discoloration. For example, if you are a coffee drinker and/or smoker, consider cutting back or quitting all together. Also, improve your dental hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and getting your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist every 6 months.

Do many people whiten their teeth? More people than you might imagine. A bright sparkling and shiny teeth can make a big difference in someone else’s life.

What to Do After a Tooth Extraction

In preparing for a tooth extraction, anticipate one big thing, pain and controlling that pain.

If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, your dentist will try to fix it with a filling, crown or other treatment. Sometimes, though, there’s too much damage for the tooth to be repaired. This is the most common reason for tooth extraction.

We all know what the processes for tooth extraction are. But do you know how to properly take care of it after the tooth extraction?

Tooth Extraction Care and Aftercare

The care and aftercare of a tooth extraction entails following the five suggestions below:

1. Do not rinse your mouth out for 24 hours following a tooth extraction – doing so may cause the blood clot that is sealing the hole and allowing healing to take place longer.

2. You should not smoke, use a straw or spit after surgery. These actions can pull the blood clot out of the hole where the tooth was. That causes more bleeding and can lead to a dry socket, which occurs in about 3% to 4% of all extractions. Dry socket occurs 20% to 30% of the time when impacted teeth are removed. It happens more often in smokers and women who take birth control pills. It is also more likely after difficult extractions.

3. Only warm, soft foods and drinks are to be taken, and should be kept as far from the extraction hole as possible – Definitely no swishing in the mouth, as the blood clot may be removed or a piece of food may enter the hole and become lodged in causing much pain. You can normally return to a normal diet after 7 days.

4. The day following the tooth extraction and for at least the next 5 days, stir a teaspoon of salt into 250 ml – a glass – of warm water until dissolved.  Rinse the mouth gently with the salt water and give the salt water a little time to be soaking the tooth extraction point.  Use after eating or drinking anything, as it keeps the extraction wound clean and the salt helps to keep the area sterile from germs.  Use the salt rinse every night before you go to bed as well.

6. You can put ice packs on your face to reduce swelling after the operation. If your jaw is sore and stiff after the swelling goes away, try warm compress.

5. Resume good teeth cleaning practices from about 2 days following the tooth extraction, but be careful near the extraction site.

Wisdom Tooth Pain

he mouth of an average person is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful to fit 32 teeth in a mouth that can only hold 28 teeth.

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal.

Wisdom teeth present potential problems when they are misaligned – they can position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars or be angled inward or outward.

Here are the types of wisdom teeth, in order from easiest to remove to most complex to remove:

• Erupted (already in the mouth)
• Soft-tissue impacted (just under the gum)
• Partial-bony impacted (partially stuck in the jaw)
• Full-bony impacted (completely stuck in the jaw)

In addition, if your wisdom teeth are tilted sideways, they can be harder to remove than if they are vertical.

While healthy wisdom teeth don’t usually cause a tremendous amount of pain, they can be bothersome. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help stop your wisdom tooth pain.

• Your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend that your wisdom tooth be extracted even before problems develop. This is done to avoid a more painful or more complicated extraction that might have to be done a few years later. Removal is easier in young people, when the wisdom teeth roots are not yet fully developed and the bone is less dense. In older people, recovery and healing time tend to be longer.
• After your wisdom tooth have emerged completely, your pain should stop. If it doesn’t, consult your dentist.
• For some people there is not enough room in their mouth for their wisdom teeth to come in and this can result in teeth drifting and crooked teeth
• Call your dentist immediately if you find it difficult to close your mouth completely or if you are unable to touch the affected area without experiencing severe pain.

Adult Medicaid Dental Care Reinstated in Michigan!

Good news for Michigan! Per the Medical Services Administration Bulletin MSA 10-47, Medicaid dental care reinstatement went into effect October 1, 2010. Dental coverage is once again consistent with the level provided as of October 1, 2002:

• Routine examinations
• Prophylaxis
• Restorations
• Dentures

*Some services may be subject to prior authorization. Procedure codes for those ages 21 and above who are Medicaid beneficiaries are available on the dental procedure code database, hosted at: www.michigan.gov/medicaidproviders > Billing and Reimbursement > Provider Specific Information > Dental The Michigan Department of Community Health will comply with the 15 day window required for prior authorizations for your scheduling needs. There is a $3.00 co-pay for visits that are reimbursed separately, although some exclusions may apply, such as for nursing home residents. The Michigan Department of Community Health has also reinstated transportation services for this Adult Medicaid Dental Care benefit. The office of Dr. Paul M. Blank, D.D.S. will be happy to assist you with your scheduling and dental care services! http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/MSA_10-47_334247_7.pdf Accessed February 5, 2010

Things You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are probably one of the most well known dental restoration procedures available. It is done by encapsulating the tooth that happens to be beyond repair. For instance, if it’s quite impossible to repair a severe decayed tooth, and you don’t want to remove the tooth’s root to avoid discomfort and infection, you may opt to visit your dentist and inquire about dental crowns.

In such circumstance, dental crowns could be your optimal choice. They can provide additional support as well as protection to the vulnerable tooth. Simply because crowns seal the tooth from the rest of the mouth, decay can no longer form. That means, the life span of the tooth is greatly increased. You should also keep in mind that the crown should get regular maintenance to avoid decay within the enclosed tooth structure.

One setback of this kind of dental procedure is that they can get pricey. They tend to cost at least $2,000 per tooth. However, most people think that it’s worth the investment. Dental crowns could last 10 or more years with proper care. Thus, the initial investment isn’t really as big as it appears. From an aesthetic standpoint, they can look as real as your natural teeth. Porcelain crowns very best mimic the gloss and translucency of normal teeth. They don’t stain either; this means you can drink just as much coffee as you wish. However, you should be aware that your nearby teeth can be stained and that might cause an uneven color. So do exercise some discretion.

There are many kinds of crowns, which include those fully fabricated of porcelain, and those using an inner-metal core and a porcelain outer shell. Lastly, you have the fully metal crowns (most of these tend to yield the least aesthetically pleasing look). They can indeed be very durable, however. You and your cosmetic dentist will get through the most suitable option based on your circumstances and choices. There is no doubt that you’ll be satisfied with the outcome provided you have sought an experienced dentist with at least some artistic ability.