Month: January 2023

When you lose a tooth, you may experience difficulty smiling, eating, talking, and changing your face shape. Additionally, the cost of treatments may seem exorbitant and overwhelming. Though getting dentures is a convenient, non-invasive, and affordable way to restore your smile after tooth loss. The following are some advantages and disadvantages for those seeking a tooth replacement solution.

In fact, the key advantages and disadvantages of dentures will help you decide whether this is the right option for you.

Advantages Of Dentures

• Dentures Can Be Installed Without Surgery

The process of getting dentures is easy, simple, and fast due to the fact that there is no need for surgery. Unlike dental implants, dentures do not require hours of surgery at the clinic. The process of claiming your new smile is made simple by professionals. 

• A Full Set Of Dentures Is Less Expensive Upfront Than Dental Implants.

A further reason for choosing dentures is their relative affordability. It is less time-consuming and requires less material, which reduces the cost. Ensure to consider your budget when discussing denture solutions with your denture specialist.

• Easily Modified If Something Seems Wrong

Dentures are made from highly durable, high-quality materials that are designed to function with your natural teeth in harmony. It is possible to modify your existing dentures if additional teeth are lost in the future. Most importantly, dentures can be easily replaced or repaired if they are accidentally broken or damaged by scheduling an emergency service appointment with your denture clinic.

Disadvantages Of Dentures 

• Have A Habit Of Moving A Lot

The removable nature of dentures makes them prone to moving in your mouth when you are eating or speaking. The first time you wear them, you’ll have to speak or chew slowly to keep them in place.

• Can Be Difficult To Maintain

The most effective way to maintain your dentures is to brush them religiously, store them in a glass of water before bed, and avoid letting them fall on hard surfaces. However, you’ll soon get used to them once you get a complete set of teeth.

Things To Consider When Choosing Dentures

• Regular Cleaning And Maintenance Are A Must 

Bits of food and drink can be retained in dentures, allowing germs and bacteria to thrive between them and your gums. In order to maintain a healthy and comfortable fit with your dentures, regular removal and cleaning are essential to preventing the growth of bacteria and keeping your gums healthy and disease-free.

• Increasing the frequency of professional maintenance or denture repair services 

Generally, denture rebasing or a similar service should be performed every five years. The reason for this is that over time, your gums may recede, resulting in discomfort and poor fit. The replacement of dental implants only requires surgery once every 20 years, making dentures less durable.

• There Are Other Options For Natural-looking Teeth

A full set of dentures can be a suitable solution for improving the appearance of missing teeth. It can be difficult to distinguish between real and fake teeth because the denture base usually matches the color of your natural gums. Despite these limitations, dentures are not completely inconspicuous, especially when compared to dental implants, which are difficult to detect. For dental implants to look more natural, surgically inserted posts are used to secure them to keep them parallel to the contours of your face and smile.

Although dentures are a convenient method of replacing missing teeth, weighing both pros and cons is imperative. One of the most essential benefits of having a complete set of dentures is that it restores your smile and improves your self-esteem. For more information about dentures, get in touch with your trusted dentist. 

In most cases, children and adults suffer from tooth decay, also referred to as dental caries. But what is the reason behind it? Or how can you stop it from happening? Do you need to do more than just brush your teeth and avoid sugar?

Well, there are many things that are related to dental cavities, and it is imperative to prevent them. Our oral health is directly related to our overall health, and if we do not pay enough attention to our dental health, we will put our bodily health in danger. 

There are multiple tips and tricks all over the internet that show how you can keep cavities or decay away. But people always need help understanding the scientific reason behind it and why it actually happens. 

Therefore, if you are interested in knowing what are some of the common diseases that cause cavities then keep on reading. 

Why does a cavity happen?

Before jumping into the details let us see why cavities happen in the first palace. Anyone can develop cavities in their teeth. A dental cavity can be referred to as small holes on the hard surface of the tooth. 

There are a variety of factors that can cause cavities, which are also called caries or dental cavities.  There are various factors that play a role in the development of caries, and it is more than just your poor oral health. 

In many cases, tooth decay is the result of something larger and potentially more risky, occurring in the body. Poor oral hygiene is a part of what can cause cavities but on a larger scale, there are many common diseases that contribute to the same. 

What are some diseases that cause dental cavities?

We all know our mouth is home to thousands of bacteria, and when not taken care of properly, it can harm our oral health as well as our bodily health. Therefore, let us see some of the common diseases that occur from the bacteria in our mouth which in turn cause tooth decay: 

• Diabetes: Well, we all know the obvious reason why diabetes is at the top of the list. Diabetic patients often experience dry mouth because they lack saliva. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes the saliva in your mouth creates a barrier between bacteria and your teeth. Therefore, less saliva makes the teeth easily prone to dental cavities. 

• Inflammation: Next is any inflammation or heartburn. There are many reasons why people suffer from inflammation. Bodily inflammation can greatly impact the stomach acids and when they flow into your mouth they wear off the teeth’s enamel layer causing your teeth to become more sensitive to cavities. 

• Autoimmune Disease: When the body attacks itself, it is said to be autoimmune. From the kidneys to the salivary glands, everything can get affected by autoimmune disease. Some autoimmune diseases impact the mouth which can cause Sjögren’s syndrome leading to dry mouth, and dry mouth is one of many reasons for a dental cavity.
• Eating disorders: Eating disorders such as anorexia and others can lead to significant cavities and erosion of the teeth. Repetitive vomiting in eating disorders can dissolve enamel by washing stomach acid over it. In addition to interfering with saliva production, eating disorders can also affect digestion. All these problems can collectively lead to dental cavities. 

These were some health issues that can lead to tooth erosion or decay. In order to maintain your dental health, you must take your overall health seriously and visit your dentist often if you suffer from any of the above-mentioned health problems.

You can get a toothache for a variety of reasons, such as a hulk of popcorn getting stuck in your gum or a bacterial infection, or it could also be a broken tooth. But whatever the reason, tooth pain is something none of us can ignore. Whether it is a dull pain or a severe sharp one, a toothache can give us sleepless nights if not attended to in due time.

You experience tooth pain when any nerve in the tooth’s root or in the surrounding area is irritated. Some of the most common causes of toothache are dental infection, tooth injury, tooth decay, or loss of a tooth. Sometimes the pain could also emanate from a different area but radiate towards the jaws and make it appear like tooth pain. Some of the common areas are TMJ (Temporomandibular joint), sinuses, ear infections, and in rare cases, it could also be heart problems.

What Does Tooth Pain Look Like?

Toothache appears in or around a tooth, and it could range from mild to severe depending on the reason for tooth pain. You might feel any or all of the following things:

• Swelling in or around your gum or tooth and throbbing pain.
• Shooting pain when you bite down your teeth or touch them.
• Fever.
• Pain or tenderness in and around your tooth.
• Shock-like or burning sensation (rare.)
• Sensitivity in your teeth while drinking extremely hot or cold beverages.

Most Common Underlying Reasons for Toothaches

You might think that something noticeable needs to happen before you get tooth pain, but many times you might not see it coming. Reasons for toothache are varied, it could be bruxism (teeth grinding), gingivitis, impacted wisdom teeth, excess bacteria, etc. Here are some of the most common reasons for tooth pain:

• Tooth decay or cavity – A dental cavity is the most common reason for toothaches. Poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing properly or flossing regularly, is the most significant source of cavities in teeth. As bacteria eats away at your tooth, it creates a hole that keeps getting deeper with time. If you eat lots of sugary food, that could also give you cavities pretty quickly because your saliva mixes with the sugary food and eats away at your teeth. Cavities are hard to catch early, so it is vital to keep a check on them and visit your dentist regularly.
• Dental abscess – When the pulp chamber of your tooth is infected, it results in an abscessed tooth. The infection has reached the root tip of your tooth, resulting in swollen gums, severe pain, infected root, and possibly loss of bone at the infection site.
• Gum disease – Also called gingivitis, gum disease is also caused by not maintaining proper dental hygiene. Due to plaque build-up over time, your gum might become red and start to swell and bleed. In its mild form, gingivitis might not be so painful, but if left unattended, it can lead to something called periodontal disease, which is a more severe form of gingivitis. You could lose your teeth if you do not get treated for gum disease in time.
• Trauma or injury – A dental injury could result in a broken or knocked-off tooth which could cause tooth pain. If your tooth gets broken, cover its jagged edges with tape or gum so that they do not cut your cheeks, gum, or tongue till your appointment.
• Teeth grinding – Bad dental habits such as grinding teeth or biting down hard on it can result in toothaches. This is also called bruxism. Pain due to grinding teeth is generally associated with TMJ or temporomandibular joint.
• Wisdom teeth – If you have pain in the bottom or upper molar areas then it is time to have your wisdom teeth removed. The pain would continue to grow as your wisdom teeth grow, and they can also affect bones and nerves in the surrounding areas if they grow sideways or misaligned. 

Causes for Referred Tooth Pains

• If your sinuses get inflamed due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, it can result in a condition called sinusitis. Since your sinuses are close to the roots of the upper teeth, you can get pain in the upper teeth region due to sinusitis.
• Lung cancer or heart disease can also give tooth pains. This is due to the location of the vagus nerve in our bodies which runs from our brains to different organs inside our bodies. This nerve also runs through the heart and lungs and through the jaw.
• Some rare causes of referred tooth pain could be occipital neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia. These two are neurological conditions that cause inflammation of occipital and trigeminal nerves. These nerves run through your skull, face, and teeth, so when they are irritated, the pain could seem to come from teeth.

It is essential that you go for regular dental checkups and do not ignore toothaches since they could lead to tooth loss or they might even be warning signs of heart or lung disease. You can take preventive measures if you can catch these diseases before they get worse.

Getting Invisalign or aligners is a straightforward process and mostly painless. But not everyone is the same; hence, getting aligners is a cakewalk for some people, and for others, it is a complex and complicated process. So, to tell whether they are painful or not totally depends on your tooth condition and your pain tolerance. 

Though the pain or sensation you feel from Invisalign can be because of the soreness, getting aligners are like getting traditional metal braces, but it is less painful. Getting plastic braces or aligners at the start can make you feel uncomfortable or want to take them off. But it is entirely normal, and your teeth will adjust with time. 

Before jumping into the details of how you can handle the pain from Invisalign or why it is painful, let us first read about it more. An aligner is a plastic transparent tooth straightening tool that works like metal braces. 

The main advantage of aligners is that they are not visible, are easily removed, and will make your teeth straightening process much easier and quicker. With these orthodontics devices, you do not have to follow many restrictions compared to traditional braces. 

Now that you know the basics of Invisalign let’s jump straight into how you can handle the pain and discomfort that comes with it! 

Why does Invisalign pain?

Commonly aligners don’t cause pain, but if you are experiencing pain, it could be because of the shift in position. The main job of this orthodontic tool is to push your misaligned teeth to a better position. And when you get these modern braces, in the beginning, it is normal to feel a little pain and discomfort because your mouth is not accustomed to them. 

In addition, when you insert the new Invisalign tray, it can also cause pain for some people or can cause sore or sensitive gums, but it will go away in some weeks. However, you must consult your dentist if the pain doesn’t go away quickly or within a few days.

How can you manage Invisalign pain? 

If you are someone who is currently taking the aligner treatment, then these tips can help you manage the little pain or discomfort if there is any: 

• Eat less chewy or hard food: Foods such as hard nuts, candies, lollipops, popcorn, etc., can cause pain and disturb the process of Invisalign and can cause pain. So, if you have recently undergone the aligner treatment, it is best to avoid such foods. In addition, you must stay away from too-cold or too-hot food.

• Use ice packs: Keeping ice cubes in your mouth or using ice packs where you have soreness can help with the pain and discomfort. Ice cubes or cold ice packs work well in combating the pain. Hence, using them at least twice a day is recommended to see effective results. 

• Brush and floss your teeth properly: Brushing & flossing your teeth is essential if you do not want any pain or further discomfort. Sometimes patients do not focus on their brushing routine, which can accumulate food build-up inside the plastic tray, leading to pain and sore gums. Hence, it is vital to floss and brush your teeth. 
• Wear your Invisalign as much as possible: It is essential to wear your aligners daily because it will make your teeth accustomed to the aligners. Your teeth will not only get to use the aligners but wearing your aligners daily will also reduce pain and discomfort and help speed up the teeth straightening process. 

All in all, getting Invisalign is a painless procedure, but if you suffer from any discomfort, you must go to your dentist and follow the tips mentioned above to help you.