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Archive for June 2018

Comments Off on 5 Truths Your Dentist Wishes You Didn’t Know About Cosmetic Dentistry

5 Truths Your Dentist Wishes You Didn’t Know About Cosmetic Dentistry

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The field of dentistry is populated by a number of different types of generalists and specialists. If you’re like most people, you tend to stick with a general dentist when it comes to your regular cleanings and checkups. If so, you can bet that the following five truths are ones that your dentist wishes that you didn’t know about in terms of cosmetic dentistry.

1. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on appearances

General dentistry focuses on oral health and hygiene while cosmetic dentistry focuses on appearances. While a patient might be more concerned about how their smile looks, this often cannot be achieved without healthy teeth. General dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are complimentary services instead of being opposing ones.

2. Teeth whitening doesn’t mean your teeth are clean

Having a pearly white smile is the goal for nearly everyone who visits the dentist. Not everyone understands the link that exists between a healthy smile and teeth that are white. Just because you visit a dentist for a session of teeth whitening doesn’t mean that your teeth are also clean and that you can forgo your regular dental checkup. In fact, numerous germs, acids and bacteria can remain in your mouth and on your gums after you’ve had your teeth whitened.

3. Bonding is a temporary fix

If you visit your dentist looking for solutions to address injuries to your teeth or chips, bonding is often an option. While it’s not possible to determine the validity of bonding for your particular situation until you undergo a complete examination of the problem, bonding is simple and relatively inexpensive. Bonding is a temporary solution because the material used can wear down over time.

4. Cosmetic dentistry is an investment

Cosmetic dentistry is the glamorous cousin to general dentistry’s focus on health. That being said, cosmetic dentistry solutions are often considered an investment in the patient’s smile. This is likely to transfer to better overall oral health. The reasons for this are often twofold. Firstly, being vigilant about regular dental checkups, flossing and brushing help maintain the beautiful results that cosmetic dentistry provides. Secondly, paying particular attention to your oral health can reduce the costs that you might incur in the future if your cosmetic work fails because of a lack of hygiene.

5. Protecting your tooth enamel is important

Your teeth’s enamel plays a vital role in their health. Unfortunately, it can often crack and chip which then exposes the rest of that tooth to cavity-forming bacteria and acids. Tooth enamel isn’t a living tissue so it doesn’t heal on its own. The shaping of your tooth enamel can help improve the appearance of your smile as well as your bite. It can also protect your teeth from further damage from substances.

At Dupont Dental, we provide a range of dental services — both preventative and cosmetic — that focus on providing our patients with the healthiest and most appealing smile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

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Comments Off on What You Need to Know About Periodontal Disease and Treatment Options

What You Need to Know About Periodontal Disease and Treatment Options

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Periodontal disease is an infection of the tooth’s structures. These include the ligaments, gums, bone and tissues that are necessary for good oral health. Bleeding and swollen gums are early signs of gums that have been infected with bacteria. According to a study by researchers at the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) performed in 1999, about half of Americans over the age of 30 experience bleeding gums. What’s even more surprising is the fact that many people think this occurrence is normal.

Stages of Gum Disease

In fact, the presence of bleeding and swollen gums is a sign that you could have the first stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis. This is caused by a buildup of plaque that occurs at the gum line. Plaque is a sticky substance that can form on the teeth. If plaque isn’t removed regularly, the body’s immune system releases substances that are an attempt to oust the bacteria. This reaction from your body is what causes the bleeding and swollen gums that mark gingivitis. It’s at this earliest stage that gum disease can most easily be reversed.

Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease. It is at this stage that the bones, tissues and fibers that support your teeth are damaged. Periodontitis is marked by pockets that form below the gum line. Though gum disease cannot be reversed at this stage, there is much that a dentist can do for a patient with periodontitis. Improved oral care at home performed by the patient, as well as specialized dental treatment, can often help reduce further damage.

The final stage of gum disease is advanced periodontitis. It is at this late stage that the other, supporting structures of the teeth are damaged. These bones, ligaments and fibers are destroyed which can lead to your teeth becoming loose or shifting in your mouth. Not only can this adversely affect your bite, it can also require that those teeth be removed.

Treatments for Periodontal Disease

For people who have gingivitis, there is still hope of reversing the disease. With good daily oral care at home in the form of proper brushing and flossing — as well as regular professional dental cleanings — gingivitis can be reversed.

Once gum disease reaches the periodontitis stage, though, professional intervention is necessary in order to save the teeth. Scaling and root planing is a treatment that is performed at the dentist office to scrape and remove the tartar and plaque from the root surfaces and the teeth. Afterward, these surfaces are smoothed to remove any roughness that can provide a welcoming place for bacteria to settle and flourish. Scaling and root planing is a procedure that could take more than one dentist visit to finish. Eventually, the gums heal and then reattach to the clean surfaces of your teeth.

There are other treatments available for advanced gum disease. Have you had a regular cleaning at Dupont Dental lately? Contact us today to make an appointment and to obtain an evaluation of your oral health!

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