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Posts Tagged ‘Dentist’

Gingivitis Treatments

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is a disease in the mouth that results from layers of bacterial build-up on the teeth. That can be because of a variety of factors but diet is usually the main culprit. Gingivitis treatment is imperative as the disease can develop into a secondary condition known as periodontics, which can cause a person’s teeth to fall out.

Gingivitis

Effective treatment for Gingivitis requires professional care followed by stepped up oral hygiene at home. Symptoms can include your gums turning red or purple or start to experience, soft gum tissue, receding gums, pain or tenderness in gums, bleeding gums, bad breath or swollen gums.

If you are experiencing  any of the above indicators, contact your Gentle Dental office immediately as they will perform the following:

  • An initial evaluation and thorough dental cleaning to remove all traces of plaque and tartar
  • Instruction on effective daily home brushing and flossing techniques
  • Regular follow-up professional checkups and cleaning
  • Fixing dental restorations that hinder adequate hygiene, if necessary

 
Then it is your responsibly to perform the following:

  • Brushing at least twice a day. An electric toothbrush may help you brush more effectively.
  • Flossing at least daily.
  • Using an antiseptic mouth rinse, if recommended by your dentist.

 
Fortunately if an early diagnosis is made, gingivitis can be treated. If not, it can lead to a slew of bigger problems. To learn more and to make an appointment, contact Gentle Dental at 1-888-513-7436.

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Do You Ever Get A Burning Mouth?

Burning Mouth Syndrome or BMS is one oral health condition that can become very painful. Symptoms include a pain and “burning” sensation on the tongue, the cheeks, the palate and often times even on the lips. You may also be experiencing BMS if you are experiencing numbness or even tingling on the tip of the tongue. burning mouth syndrome

But you may ask, why do people develop this type of condition? There are a variety of factors that can trigger BMS including allergies, menopause, a severe nutritional deficiency or possibly a fungal infection.

If you are struggling with the condition, it is important to go through an oral health examination with your doctor. They may take an oral swab test in order to look for the presence of any bacteria in the mouth and might even check for thyroid complications or diabetes through a blood test. It may also simply be that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to one of the compounds in the denture material.

If dentures are the cause of your BMS your dentures may need to be replaced or adjusted by your dentist. It is not easy to live with such an irritating, frustrating and sometimes painful condition. As soon as symptoms occur it is essential that you speak to your Gentle Dental dentist so they can determine the cause and determine how it can be treated. To make an appointment call 1-888-513-7436.

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Straight Teeth Help With Dating

According to a recent perception study people with straight teeth are recognized not only as being smarter and more successful, but also more popular in the dating scene.

straight crooked teethIn the study survey 1047 nationally represented Americans were shown the images of men and women with both straight and crooked teeth. They were asked to give their honest opinions, not knowing they were comparing aligned and misaligned teeth.

The survey results found that most Americans do judge people by their teeth. 29% said the first aspect of a face they notice is the teeth. In addition those with straight teeth are 45% more likely to get a job compared to those with crooked teeth and the same skills. 58% are more likely to be successful and 58% are more likely to be wealthy.

For online daters, a perfect smile is vital for picking up dates. Based on a picture alone, those with straight teeth are 57% more likely to get a date than those with crooked teeth. This is also important for the second date as more people would rather date someone who lived with his or her parents than go on a second date with someone with misaligned teeth.

Additionally you are more dependable if you have a nice smile. 73% of Americans would trust you more with a good, straight set of teeth than someone with a good job, outfit or car.

This shows how socially powerful your teeth really are and the difference between straight and crooked teeth can have a huge impact on your daily life and your future. If you do have teeth that aren’t that straight though you are in luck as Gentle Dental has a variety of cosmetic procedures that can turn your smile into a life changer. For more information and to make an appointment call 1-888-513-7436.

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Ways To Straighten Teeth Without Braces

Most of the time when teeth are crooked traditional braces are the most logical option. There are though other alternatives for those looking to straighten and fix teeth without typical orthodontics.

One method to fix teeth without braces is Invisalign. This innovative system uses a series of retainer-type mouthpieces which will shape your teeth. Usually, Invisalign results can be seen in a year’s time. This method works best for those who have minor teeth misalignment only. Invisalign-facetoface

Another method to fix crooked teeth is to have veneers applied to your teeth. Veneers will instantly give you a perfect smile minus all the pain of actual teeth straightening. They can be made out of porcelain or of composite material.

Cosmetic contouring is another route to take to straighten teeth, especially if it is a problem with overcrowding. The process is pain-free and involves a series of procedures that focuses on reshaping your teeth. This type of technique works on the top teeth only. There are also a lot of drawbacks to this method but it is still a viable option aside from braces.

Each one of these alternatives has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.  It would be a good idea to speak to your Gentle Dental Dentist to see which type is best for you and your family. To make an appointment call 1-888-513-7436.

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Fear Of The Dental Drill

It is not uncommon to have a fear or phobia of the “famous” dental drill. That huge piece of machinery is not something anyone wants anywhere near their mouth. The sound alone can make you very anxious! Plus some people are worried that the drill might slip and injure them in other ways.

The fact is though that once the tooth is properly numbed there should be no pain – only vibration and light pressure. There are many ways of dealing with the fear of the drill, and you should choose the tip which you feel will work best for you. Some are based on distraction, others are based on exposure.

Dental DrillYou can blend out the sounds the drill causes by bringing an mp3 or CD player and playing your favorite music during the procedure. Another way to deal with the drill is by closing your eyes during the treatment. You may also want to bring a blanket to make you feel more comfortable and secure. For children they may like holding their favorite soft toy.

Every Gentle Dental Dentist and Oral Surgeon knows the dental drill is no one’s favorite part of the dental experience but it is something that is needed to keep your teeth healthy and safe if you have an oral issue. If you have any specific concerns about the drill and making sure your procedure is a pleasant one call your local Gentle Dental office 1-888-513-7436. We hope to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

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Do You Have An Underbite?

A few weeks ago we spoke about overbites and the problems they can have on your mouth. Today we will look at its sister bite – the underbite.

An underbite, also referred to as a type of malocclusion, is a dental condition where the lower jaw protrudes up and outward abnormally, partially overlapping with the upper teeth. To get a better idea as to what an underbite is, stand in front of a mirror and stick your chin out so your bottom teeth are positioned in front of your upper teeth. Unlike an overbite which is extremely common, underbites only affect 5-10% of the world’s population, and more specifically, those of Asian decent. underbite

An underbite is caused by a variety of different factors including heredity, poor chewing habits, abnormalities to the jaw bone and thumb-sucking. But unlike most forms of overbites, underbites can usually not go untreated. There is too much of a risk for developing serious jaw problems and conditions for one to ignore the underbite. TMJ Disorder is a very popular condition that an underbite will lead to. TMJ can also then lead to other problems within the mouth, including the teeth and inner cheeks.

Correcting an underbite depends on different factors, such as your age and the severity of the malocclusion. If you are a parent who has a child that has an underbite, he or she may be fitted with a chin cap to control the growth process of the jaw and lower chin. Another device that may work on a child is an expander. An expander is a utensil dentist’s use that comes with a turnkey and is worn for a few hours each day for several months. It is meant to expand the lower jaw and improve the bite.

If you do have an underbite you shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed as many celebrities and powerful people still have them today, including Michael Phelps, Michelle Obama, and Seth Rogen. To learn how to correct you or your child’s underbite make an appointment with your local Gentle Dental office by calling 1-888-513-7436.

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How Well Do You Know Your Dental Trivia?

Do you think you got what it takes to answer some trivia questions about Gentle Dental and Dentistry? Well here is your chance to prove it and win a gift card at the same time!

Starting today and running through Friday, March 30th 2012 Gentle Dental will post one trivia question at a random time each day Monday through Friday on our Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/GentledentalFL. You need to be a fan of Gentle Dental to play and you need to share your answer with your friends. Gentle Dental

The first person to answer the question correctly will win a $5 Starbucks Gift Card! There will be 15 winners throughout the entire contest and you are eligible to play everyday.  Each participant though is only allowed to give one answer per question. We will contact the winner via a Facebook message to request your email and mailing address, so we can tell you how to claim your prize. For official rules and details click here.

So you may ask where can you go to study? Well, a good place to start is the Gentle Dental website and blog – http://www.gentledentalgroup.com. Good luck, have fun and if you win enjoy that cup of Joe on us!

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Toothpaste Spotlight – Crest

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First introduced in the United States in 55, Crest Toothpaste is one of the most popular toothpastes on the market. Manufactured by Procter & Gamble the Crest brand has been associated with about twenty brands of dental care products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, dental floss, as well as a tooth-whitening product called Crest Whitestrips.

Widely known toothpaste brands manufactured by Crest include Crest Pro Health, Crest 3D White, Crest Cavity Protection, Crest Whitening and Scope flavored toothpaste. crest toothpaste

Crest Pro Health includes fluoride in it which helps strengthen teeth. This toothpaste is known to kill bacteria associated with plaque and gingivitis. Crest 3D White is known for polishing away stains and giving your teeth a pearly whitening look. Crest Cavity Protection helps strenghten weak spots within your teeth which help in fighting  cavities. Crest Whitening plus Scope Toothpaste combines the whitening power of Crest with the freshening power of Scope. It strengthens teeth and freshens breath all at once.

For more information on Crest’s dental hygiene products including which brand and  type of toothpaste is right for you call your local Gentle Dental office today at 1-888-513-7436.

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Football and your Teeth

Being that this weekend is the “Big Game” we thought it was important to talk about football injuries, your teeth and how to protect yourself from them. Football is an extremely popular game for both kids and professionals to both play and watch. Being that it is a very contact sport it can cause a lot of injuries including teeth fractures. mouth guard

Tooth fractures can range from minor (involving chipping of the outer tooth layers called enamel and dentin) to severe (involving vertical, diagonal, or horizontal fractures of the root). Enamel and dentin are the two outer protective layers of the tooth. The enamel is the outermost white hard surface. The dentin is a yellow layer lying just beneath the enamel. Enamel and dentin both serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue called the pulp. The visible one-third of the tooth is called the crown, while the remaining two-thirds of the tooth buried in the bone is called the root.

The upper front permanent teeth are the most common teeth to be completely knocked out. If possible permanent teeth should be retrieved, kept moist, and placed back into their sockets (reimplanted) as soon as possible. The most important variable affecting the success of reimplantation is the amount of time that the tooth is out of its socket. Teeth reimplanted within one hour of the accident frequently reattach to their teeth sockets.

Mouth guards have been shown to reduce trauma not only to teeth, gums, and the surrounding jaw bone but also to reduce injury to the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and to reduce the intensity and number of head concussions. Mouth guards also reduce pressure and bone deformation of the skull when a force is directed to the chin. Before the mandatory use of face masks and mouth guards for high school and college football players in 63, 50% of all football injuries involved the face and the mouth. Since the mandatory use of these protective devices, dental injuries in football players have greatly declined.

To learn more about teeth injuries, caused by football and other sports and mouth guards to prevent such injuries call your local Gentle Dental Dentist by calling 1-888-513-7436. Enjoy the “Big Game”!

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Allergies To Latex

Natural rubber latex is a common ingredient found in many medical or dental supplies and devices, such as masks, gloves, syringes, catheters, dressings, tape and bandages. Unlike some consumer goods made from synthetic (man made) latex, such as house paint, natural rubber latex is derived from a milky substance found in rubber trees. While many people come in safe contact with latex-containing products every day, some people have developed hypersensitivity from natural rubber latex, which can cause allergic reactions.

When exposed to a natural rubber latex, a latex-sensitive individual, whether a health care worker or a patient, may experience minor symptoms, such as hives or nasal congestion. Severe rare cases may result in anaphylaxis, a dangerous systemic reaction that causes a drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing and swelling of the throat, tongue and nose. Latex Medical Gloves

Athough anyone can develop an allergy to latex, the number of people who do is quite small considering the millions who are exposed every day to consumer products that contain natural rubber latex. Individuals with an increased risk are those who have spina bifida and those who have undergone numerous surgeries. Someone who is prone to general allergies and has regular contact with latex may also develop the allergy.

If you feel or know you are allergic to latex please advise your Gentle Dental office and/or dentist when you arrive, so alternative methods can be taken. For more information and to make an appointment call 1-888-513-7436.

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