While the dentist’s primary objective is to preserve teeth, some conditions and circumstances dictate that a tooth must be extracted. Causes include infection, crowding, and impaction. Whatever the reason, for a simple extraction, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic beforehand. After the extraction, the initial healing period typically takes one to two weeks.
read moreWhen white patches appear on the tongue or inner cheek, it may be an indication of a “thrush” infection caused by the candida fungus (yeast). While small amounts of the candida fungus are present in the mouths, digestive tracts, and skin of most healthy individuals, they are normally kept in check by other microorganisms and
read moreAs sales of tooth-whitening products in the United States have risen by 300 percent since 1996, Americans’ desire for pearly whites goes unabated. However, there has been a downside to this fondness for white teeth that leads increasing numbers of women in particular to become so obsessed with tooth-whitening that it has become an integral part of
read moreGrinding one’s teeth at night (“bruxism”) not only produces a disconcerting noise for anyone within earshot, but it also wears down tooth enamel. On top of that, bruxism may lead to shifting of teeth and weakening of underlying bone to the point where it can contribute to periodontal (gum) disease. To prevent these adverse effects, the dentist
read moreMissing teeth is one of the most common developmental problems in children, with permanent teeth being more likely to be among the missing than primary teeth. This inherited tendency often involves lateral incisors, second premolars, and third molars. When a missing tooth creates a gap in the dental arch, not only does this present a problem in terms
read moreChronic periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss, afflicts 47.2 percent of the United States adult population aged 30 years and older. The incidences of moderate and severe periodontitis are estimated at 30 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively, among U.S. adults. In an effort to more effectively treat chronic
read moreWhat separates a “dental implant” from nearly all other forms of tooth replacement is that it feels as natural in the mouth as an actual tooth. This natural feeling is largely attributable to the fact that the titanium implant is surgically embedded in the jawbone so that it looks and functions just as a real
read moreIn order for flossing to effectively deter tooth decay and gum disease, it must be performed correctly. It only takes a minute or two. Begin by winding a piece of dental floss around each index finger. Then, to floss the upper row of teeth, thumbs should be placed about an inch apart from each other
read moreThe industrious beaver may have stained, buck teeth that no human would want, but the beaver’s teeth are much stronger than ours. Although beavers neither brush their teeth nor drink fluoridated water, their tooth enamel is more resistant to acid than ours is. To find out why, researchers took a look at the beaver’s brown
read moreIf you feel so self-conscious about your teeth that you stifle your smile, you owe it to yourself to visit the dentist. Not only does necessary remedial dental care make you more attractive to others, it can also actually make you happier. Recent research into the mind-body connection has led to the discovery that the
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