Author Archives: Jax Cosmetic Dentist

How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy for the Holidays

Posted on December 18, 2024 - 11:49 am by
Top Dental Care Tips for Kids

The holiday season is here.  Houses light up the night sky. Seasonal songs greet us wherever we go.  Mailboxes are flooded with sales offers. 

For most people, it provides an opportune time for families to meet and share gifts. We play games, laugh, maybe argue a bit, but there is always plenty of food to eat. Family buffets brimming with sweets and casseroles and meats and treats. 

When you see a blueberry cobbler or a fresh-baked apple pie, you are possibly thinking more about your taste sensations rather than your oral health. However, it is possible to make both happy.  

Below are some tips to keep your teeth healthier this holiday season. 

Avoid gummy, chewy, sugary foods. 

Overindulgence is likely to happen during the holidays, but be selective. It’s easy to overdo certain snacks that can destroy our teeth.  

Avoid or limit the following treats during this holiday season:

  • Candy canes and other sour or chewy foods
  • Crisps – these starchy treats can create acid in your mouth 
  • Ice – Chewing ice can cause enamel to break down.
  • Carbonated drinks – Opt for a glass of water instead of Coca-Cola.
  • Dried fruit – This contains far more sugar than you may think

In other words, choose items that aren’t bad for your teeth, such as sprouts, vegetables, and fruits. Turkey is another fantastic holiday food option since it contains nutrients good for your teeth, like phosphorus.

If you must eat biscuits this holiday season, try gingerbread, which contains less sugar than many other variations we’ve been accustomed to!

When it comes to beverages, opt for clear liquids. Red wine is known for discoloring your teeth and usually makes them feel sticky. Well, if you can’t avoid wine, try nibbling on cheese at the same time. The alkaline in the cheese usually balances your mouth’s PH level.   

Up your dental health game 

Do you always forget to brush or floss your teeth after a long night out? This is not the time to relax your oral health standards. Take some floss and toothbrush out with you, if necessary. This way, you’ll remember to brush your teeth right after a heavy meal or drink session.

Note: You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes and floss twice daily. This will spare you from costly dental bills after the holiday season. And if that has not persuaded you enough, try to think of how many more years of great Christmas gatherings you’ll be able to enjoy if you keep your teeth in good shape!

Drink plenty of water daily

The daily amount of water nutritionists recommend to drink is 11.5 glasses for women and 15.5 for men. 

It is likely to binge on alcohol and consume large amounts of treats during the holidays while forgetting to drink water. However, this special liquid can make a significant difference to your oral health. Water, especially fluoridated water, prevents tooth decay and cavities.  

It is highly advisable to drink water after eating. Usually, this helps get rid of bacteria left in the mouth. It also dilutes the acid from alcohol. 

The last benefit of water is its unique ability to fill you up without adding calories. If you’re still hungry after dinner and considering having seconds, drink a glass of water instead. It’s beneficial to your waistline and teeth!

Don’t open gifts with your teeth.

This may seem obvious, but when an impatient kid hands you a toy, tightly sealed in Teflon-strength wrapping, your instinct will be to rip it open. Resist that temptation and grab a pair of scissors. 

Teeth are handy in doing many things, such as chewing and enunciating. However, they do not make good cutting tools. Using your teeth to open packages and bottles erodes the enamel and weakens the edges of your teeth. This leads to tooth breakage and cracking and probably expensive cosmetic dental work. 

Schedule your post-holiday dental check-up now

It is advisable to schedule a post-holiday dental cleaning and check-up before the holidays start. Note down your appointments somewhere, as this can easily slip your mind when juggling cooking, house cleaning, seeing family, and shopping.    

Generally, there is an excessive demand for dental visits during the holidays; thus, booking in advance ensures you reserve a convenient appointment time. The sooner you can go for a dental cleaning and check-up, the less time your holiday indulgences will negatively impact your oral teeth.  

Holiday dental care is very important. 

When it comes to holiday dental care, prevention is definitely better than treatment. Developing a dental care routine is the most practical way to preserve your teeth this holiday season.  But all said and done; do not overindulge in chewy, sugary snacks between meals and drink considerable amounts of water. 

Article resources:

Information in this article has been gathered from multiple public health sources, including:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.healthline.com/

Teeth Whitening

Top Dental Care Tips for Kids

Posted on December 11, 2024 - 6:31 pm by
kid-portrait-holding-paper-icon_

Healthy adult teeth begin in childhood. They affect not just our children’s dentition, speech, and eating abilities, but also their self-esteem. A study report by the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry reports;

“Untreated dental disease compromises the child’s ability to eat well, sleep well, and function well at home and at school. The unaesthetic nature of untreated dental decay compromises the child’s self-esteem and social development.” (Source: The Consequences of Untreated Dental Disease in Children)

Poor dental health can affect your kids and lead to infection, gum disease, or other problems.

Oral tips for your kids 

It can be challenging to encourage our children to be responsible for their dental health. We have listed the best dental tips for your kids. Small steps lead to drastic results.

1. Be their role model and educate your children 

Whether it is younger or older children, they like to model their parents. Be their role model for dental hygiene, as you demonstrate proper habits to them until their adulthood. You can make certain routines like brushing and flossing shared activities with them.

Educate them about the importance of oral care and the right techniques of brushing and flossing. Read books and watch videos that explain dental hygiene to kids in a fun and educational way.

Plaque can be difficult to see, unlike cavities. You can do a fun science experiment with a plaque-disclosing tablet to talk about how plaque forms and looks to your children. Fun activities like these can reinforce the significance of oral health and its impact on their overall health.

2. Make brushing and flossing part of their daily routine

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends parents brush their children’s teeth until they are eight years, and floss them until they are 10. For babies and toddlers, their gums can be cleaned with a soft washcloth until their milk teeth erupt.

You can, of course, support daily brushing and flossing habits by getting your child to get more involved. They can shop for their favourite toothbrush, and you can have so many options these days with fun characters and colors. Look for soft bristle brushes for children. There are electric toothbrushes for children which clean teeth better. You can pick floss with a handle for your kids to use it more comfortably.

Your kids can pick their favorite toothpaste flavor. Make the daily brushing and flossing routine exciting for your children by playing songs in the background. The American Dental Association (ADA) has a special playlist for children to encourage their brushing habits.

Their toothbrushes need to be changed every 3-4 months, and the ADA recommends this. One sign when their brushes need to be tossed out is when they start to fray and get ineffective in their functioning. You should also teach your kids to brush and clean their tongues as well.

The ADA has changed its earlier stance and now recommends fluoridated toothpaste for all kids from the time their first tooth erupts. Tooth decay is the most common disease in childhood, overtaking asthma in recent years.

Children should learn to brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day. The right technique of brushing and flossing is also important as an aggressive action or an incorrect method can harm their teeth and gums.

You can organize a craft session for your kids where they can make their track chart. It can be hung in their bathrooms and checked each time they brush and floss their teeth. They can also be rewarded for their consistency with anything they like to do. Alternatively, you can access fun coloring pages and activities on the ADA site.

3. Stock and prepare enjoyable teeth-friendly food options 

There are so many teeth-friendly food choices for your children. Fruits, vegetables, lean meat, cheese, and nuts don’t just make great nutritional choices but can also reduce their risk of developing cavities.  Limit processed food, cookies, candy, chips, and sugary soda beverages.

You can give a list of healthy teeth-friendly options to your child and let them pick their favorite foods from the grocery store.

If your child shows interest in gardening, you can encourage him or her to grow their own fruits and vegetables and prepare meals together.

4. Schedule regular dental visits 

Like adults, you should bring your children to the dentist twice a year. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend bringing your child to a dentist around their first birthday or when their first tooth appears.

Starting early will help your child get accustomed to dental visits, which are important for sustainable dental health. You can also ease dental anxiety in your children by reading books about dentist visits and help them be mentally prepared beforehand. A good family and pediatric dentist will also be adept at reducing your child’s fears and making them feel comfortable in the clinic.

A family and pediatric dentist will examine your child’s family history and look for any early signs of a cavity. They can also guide your child on the proper brushing and flossing techniques. There are many options like sealants for children to protect their teeth from harmful bacteria and cavities.

Final Thoughts

Celebrate with your children by showing some love for their teeth. A little bit of chocolate and candies hurt no one as long as your children are on track with their oral care. You can take pointers from our article, and of course, our dentists are always a call away.

And we assure you that your kids will have a lot to smile about all year long.

If you’re currently looking for a family dentist in Orange Park, FL you can trust Esthetics Implant Dentistry for expert dental care. Call us for any dental queries, concerns, or to schedule an appointment.

(Disclaimer: We routinely draw upon public health resources to inform our write-ups. Information in this article has been gathered from multiple public health sources, including:

 

  1. http://mouthhealthy.org/
  2. https://www.cda.org/
  3. https://www.webmd.com

 

Dental Implants
Family Dentistry

Best Dental Tips for a Fun and Healthy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2024 - 9:27 pm by

There is something comforting about Thanksgiving – the gift of family, friends, and a nice heartwarming meal together laden with classic Thanksgiving staple dishes – whole turkey roast, bread stuffing, marshmallow sweet potatoes or yam casserole and gravy, cranberry sauce, an apple, pumpkin or pecan pie, and mulled cider.  

It’s good to count our blessings and celebrate life with loved ones at the end of a pandemic year. We all deserve the indulgence, warmth, and joy this Thanksgiving. 

However, we must extend the same kindness to our teeth and gums, which can take a beating during the festive season. 

In this article, we share simple and easy tips, so you don’t have to worry about the health of your teeth and gums this Thanksgiving day and after. 

1. Reduce the sugar intake

Thanksgiving meals are notorious for their high sugar content. Be it pecan pie or cranberry sauce. However, if you avoid or reduce the extra sugar in these dishes, it will have the opposite effect which will benefit your teeth. 

For example, sweet potatoes are loaded with Vitamin A and C, which helps keep a hard enamel and healthy gums. When it is topped with whipped cream and marshmallows, it can create an environment for bacteria to cause teeth decay and cavities. 

According to the California Dental Association, an effective solution is to skip, limit, or swap sugar with substitutes like xylitol and erythritol, which do not cause tooth decay. Practice portion control when having sugary meals and desserts. Follow it by rinsing your mouth with water to wash away the sugar and food particles and prevent it from sticking to your teeth and gums.  

Making smart choices like making the sauce with fresh cranberries instead of the canned variety helps cut the sugar content drastically. Also, the flavonoids in fresh cranberries help prevent the buildup of plaque and destroy the harmful bacteria in your mouth. 

2. Be on the watch for starchy foods 

Starchy foods are the silent killers of your teeth. They don’t seem harmful at the outset, but starch converts into sugar, which then feeds the bacteria in your mouth. Foods like breaded stuffing, mashed potato, potato chips, cornbread, and dinner rolls are common culprits, and this problem can be resolved by pairing it with fiber and protein foods. 

3. Have a nutritious and balanced Thanksgiving meal 

Thanksgiving meals are not all bad. There is a wide range of healthy food options to choose from – leafy greens loaded with calcium, fruits, and veggies loaded with different kinds of vitamins and minerals which are good for your teeth and gums, raw carrots which make natural teeth cleansers, turkey which is high in phosphorus and aids in teeth development. 

The time is taken for chewing healthy food aids in saliva production, and it helps to clean, fight bacteria, and keep your mouth healthy. Also, some foods like the fibrous strands in celery or hard vegetables like raw carrots help clean the particles stuck between teeth.

Aim to have an array of rainbow-colored food on your plate. The safest and healthiest choices are turkey, vegetables, and fruits. Go easy on the sweets, bread, marshmallows, and gooey syrups, and binge on the Brussel sprouts, turkey, carrots, sweet potatoes, snap peas, pumpkins, and apples. 

4. Snack wisely 

It’s not just the Thanksgiving meal that could damage your teeth, but also the snacks you have during the day. Instead of sugary cookies and candies, opt for nuts, dried fruits, and cheese to maintain healthy teeth and gums. 

Cheese contains calcium and protein, which strengthens teeth and prevents cavities by balancing your mouth’s PH levels. But be wary of melted cheese, which can get stuck between teeth and difficult to clean. 

Assorted nuts are another great snack option as it strengthens your teeth. The chewing of the nuts helps in saliva production, which washes away the harmful bacteria and prevents tooth decay.

5. Avoid teeth staining Foods

Brightly colored foods and beverages are nutritious, but on the downside, they can stain your teeth as well. The acidic content in drinks such as coffee, wine, cranberry juice, or sauce can erode the enamel and stain it. Go easy on the blueberry or cherry pies!

One solution to lessen the impact is to limit the intake of such food, have it alongside non-acidic foods and water, and schedule a post-Thanksgiving dentist checkup. 

6. Set a fixed mealtime

Setting a fixed Thanksgiving time and giving it priority over snack time is a smart move. Thanksgiving often finds people grazing all day on snacks. This is not just bad news for your waistline, but also your teeth. So, make a conscious effort to save your appetite for the main meal, and limit snacks during the day at fixed intervals. Ensure there are other non-eating related activities to keep you and the crowd engaged during the day. 

7. Guard your mouth

Use relevant tools like a bottle opener or nutcracker instead of using your mouth to open bottles and crack nuts. You need to be extra cautious if you have braces. Even hard popcorn kernels can break your teeth or braces if you’re not careful. Holidays are a time when teeth accidents and cracked teeth are common occurrences. 

8. Chew sugar-free gum

Having sugar-free gum helps when there is no access to floss or brush your teeth during the party in someone else’s home. Chewing sugar-free gum right after a meal helps clear your mouth from food particles and produces extra saliva. Sugared chewing gum does more harm than good, and it’s best to avoid it. 

9. Stay hydrated with healthy drink options

Skip or limit coffee, carbonated, sugary, alcoholic drinks and consider healthier drink options

Water is one of the best allies for your dental health. It helps clear the buildup of plaque, bacteria, clears the food particles from the mouth, and stimulates saliva production. Fluoridated water is even better as it counters the harmful acidic effects caused by some foods and drinks. 

Green or black tea is also useful as it washes away the acid from sugary and starchy foods. You can prepare it with regular tap water, which contains fluoride and double its benefits for your dental health.

Milk is another teeth-friendly option for its calcium and protein content. 

10. Maintain dental hygiene

Continue to brush and floss your teeth on Thanksgiving Day, and amplify your routine if need be. There is no such thing as being overly cautious with your dental health. 

However, when consuming acidic food, wait for at least half an hour before you brush your teeth. You can drink water, chew gum, and floss immediately after a meal. 

When you cannot brush, floss, or chew gum on D-day, you can use toothpicks. It is useful to remove sticky food particles and loosen the plaque buildup, but you need to be cautious not to damage your gums while doing so. 

Finally, make that appointment with your dentist post-Thanksgiving day for a checkup and teeth cleaning. It also gives your dentist the chance to spot any dental issues early on and treat them accordingly. 

We, the Esthetics Implant Dentistry  team, wish you a fun, safe, and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

We are thankful for our patients, and you can count on Esthetics Implant Dentistry services in Orange Park, and call us anytime with any dental queries, concerns, or to schedule an appointment.

You can trust Esthetics Implant Dentistry in Orange Park, FL, for expert dental care. We are enthusiastic about helping you and your children have a happy & safe Halloween.

Family Dentistry

Root Canal vs. Dental Implant: How to Make the Right Choice for Your Smile?

Posted on November 16, 2024 - 11:42 am by

Do you have an infected tooth that’s causing a lot of pain? Or do you have extensive tooth decay? 

I’m Dr. Sridhar Sagili, dentist in Orange Park, FL. When a patient’s tooth becomes infected, we must decide whether to save the tooth by performing a root canal or to extract the tooth and then go for dental implants. 

At Esthetics Implant Dentistry, our primary effort is always to save your natural tooth.  This is our first choice for both health and cosmetic results. Ethically if the tooth is salvageable, we believe we should always save it and do the root canal treatment. Saving your natural tooth helps:

  • Maintain efficient chewing
  • Maintain normal biting force and avoid collapse of the bite
  • Maintain natural structure of your jaw
  • Limit the need for more costly, ongoing dental work

However, sometimes the decay is so bad, the tooth cannot be saved. We have no choice but to extract it. The best choice to replace an extracted tooth is implant, which provides permanence and the beauty of natural looking teeth. 

We think about the prognosis of tooth decay, the cause of the problem, longevity of the treatment, and other factors, such as the dentin strength and age when deciding on the two treatment options. 

Let us understand the two treatment procedures, the benefits, and risks in detail. 

Root Canal Treatment (RCT) in Orange Park, FL

Model of a tooth at the dentist.Doctor shows the patient a tooth.Reception in the dentist's office

When your tooth becomes infected, a root canal treatment lets you keep the tooth rather than extracting it. Keeping your tooth helps prevent the rest of your teeth from shifting out of line and causing jaw problems. 

How does it work? 

Root canal treatment or endodontic therapy is the most traditionally used treatment when a root is infected, or a tooth has severe decay or damage. Root canal procedures eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal. The cavity is cleaned, disinfected, and finally filled and sealed, thereby preserving your tooth.

The RCT is a safe and effective process of removing the infected, injured, or dead nerve and tissue (pulp) from the tooth. This procedure protects what’s left of the tooth and allows normal function.

The space inside the hard layers of each tooth is called the root canal system. The system is made up of soft dental pulp consisting of nerves, tissues, and blood vessels. 

The infected pulp tissue is manually removed with files of various sizes to clean out the canal. With the help of very fine dental instruments, the dentist removes the pulp by cleaning and enlarging the root canal system.

The root canal is the first step in the whole tooth restoration. After the root canal, the tooth is prone to becoming dry and brittle. The goal is to restore or fix the tooth to look, feel, and function just like your natural tooth. 

The final steps are the core build-up and crown. The canal is shaped, filled, and sealed most commonly with a natural replacement material called gutta percha. The opening of the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling first, and then a permanent filling and a crown to restore the tooth. The choice of restoration, such as a crown or posts to support the crown, will depend on the strength of the part of the tooth that’s left. 

What you should know about root canal treatment in Orange Park, FL

Considerable advancements in technology allow dentists to complete root canal treatment, even for teeth with complex anatomies, to the highest level of precision.

Most root canal treatments are successful and done in 1 or 2 appointments. After the treatment, your tooth may be tender for the first one or two weeks. If you suffer from severe pain or swelling, you should immediately call your dentist.

A second root canal treatment would be needed in a few rare cases and is called retreatment. During the retreating of a tooth, the root canal filling material is taken out, and the canal system is recleaned, reshaped, and refilled.

Sometimes root canal surgery is needed when a regular root canal treatment cannot be done or has not worked. A root canal surgery is done to check for fractures or cracks in the root, remove parts of the root that could not be cleaned during the root canal treatment, and clear up an infection that did heal after regular treatment.

With proper care and regular dental visits, the restored tooth lasts as long as your other teeth. Often, the tooth that has had a root canal treatment can be saved. However, when nothing can be done further, a tooth must be extracted.

Benefits of a Root Canal

Some top benefits of getting a root canal treatment are: 

  • You don’t lose your original tooth.
  • Minimal pain
  • Less expensive than a dental implant procedure 
  • Takes less time than a dental implant 
  • Less recovery time than dental implant 
  • High success rate

Risks of a Root Canal

While the root canal treatment offers many benefits and has a very high success rate, complications like abscesses can arise if the entire infected pulp is not removed, which underscores the importance of visiting an experienced dentist trained in endodontics.

Call the best dentists in Orange Park, FL if you’d like to discuss treatment options.

Dental Implants in Orange Park, FL

 

Smiling dentist showing an artificial dentures

If the dental examination reveals that saving the tooth is not the best long-term solution for you, only then will we consider a dental implant. Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth and support artificial replacement teeth. 

What are dental implants?

A dental implant involves removing the original tooth, installing a metal post in the jaw, and finally, inserting a porcelain dental crown to the post. 

A dental implant is an artificial root made of titanium metal. It is inserted into the jawbone to replace the root of the natural tooth. An artificial replacement tooth is attached to the implant. The implant acts as an anchor to hold the replacement tooth in place.

  • First, the original tooth is removed. A dental implant, which is an artificial root made of titanium metal, is inserted into the jawbone under the gum tissue. The gum tissue is stitched back into place and takes some time to heal. During the healing process, which can take up to several months, the dental implant will bond with the bone and attach to the gum. 
  • After the healing process is complete, the dentist will attach an abutment to the implant. An abutment is a post that connects the replacement tooth to the dental implant. 
  • An artificial replacement tooth is made and attached to the abutment. It can take several appointments to fit the replacement tooth to the abutment correctly.
  • If the dentist is replacing several teeth or all of your teeth, a fixed bridge is anchored to the dental implants on each side of the missing tooth or teeth.

What you should know about dental implants?

You may need several appointments with your dentist during the procedure for an implant-supported dental bridge. Checkups will be scheduled in the following year as well to check if the implants are functioning properly. 

At Esthetics implants dentistry, we also offer All-in-4 dental implants which can be completed in one-day. You read that right! “All on 4” dental implant, which involves placing four implants in the jawbone to support a full arch zirconium prosthesis, usually completed in a single visit. This technique provides patients with immediate results and eliminates the need for bone grafting in most cases. However, it may not be suitable for individuals with significant bone loss or those who require individual tooth replacement. 

Dental implants look and function like natural teeth. So, they need the same amount of care as natural teeth. Your dentist will demonstrate the proper cleaning technique for implants. Regular cleaning using a toothbrush and floss and dental checkups are essential. 

Dental implants can cost more than other replacement procedures. But they are a one-time cost, unlike other tooth replacement procedures.

Very rarely, there could be possible complications arising from dental implants such as infection, bleeding, numbness, and injury. 

Benefits of a Dental Implant

Here are some benefits of a dental implant: 

  • They are aesthetic, comfortable, look, and function like natural teeth
  • Long-lasting and can last decades with proper care
  • Low failure rate 

Risks of a Dental Implant

Below are some of the cons of getting a dental implant: 

  • Lengthy process in case of a implant supported overdentures and bridge/crown
  • Time intensive
  • Costly without insurance 
  • Longer recovery period

Root Canal vs. Implant: Which is the best option?

Making comparisons between the two treatments is like comparing apples with oranges.

The American Dental Association reports that both root canal therapy and dental implants have high success rates. A similar study published by the Journal of Endodontics found no notable difference in the success rates of a standard RCT versus dental implant. 

Root canals and dental implants are equally successful, but implants may need more follow-up procedures. 

The decision to pursue a particular treatment procedure should be based on the complexity of the patients’ individual cases, health, and preferences.

If your tooth is salvageable, we would always work to save it and recommend root canal to preserve your natural tooth.  However, if you have extensive tooth decay, the tooth has a poor prognosis, and you have healthy gums and enough bone in the jaw to hold an implant, then we would recommend extraction followed by an implant.. 

Need more information about the root canal treatment or a dental implant? Call Esthetics Implant Dentistry at 904-272-7277 to make an informed decision.

Oral Surgery

Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis: What You Need to Know about Gum Health

Posted on September 24, 2024 - 5:43 pm by

You have probably heard the terms “Periodontitis” and “Gingivitis” before. They both refer to risky dental health conditions, but what precisely are they? In simple terms, they are stages of the same condition: gum disease. Here is a post highlighting the differences between gingivitis and periodontitis, their key symptoms, and how an Orange Park, FL dentist can help address these oral conditions. 

Gingivitis: The first stage of gum disease

Gum disease is highly prevalent in the US. According to the CDC, 50% of adults age 30+ suffer from some level of gum disease. Most of these people likely have gingivitis, a typical and mild form of gum disease that leads to gum irritation, redness, and swelling. 

Gingivitis symptoms can be so subtle that many people are unaware they have them. But just because the symptoms you are experiencing are mild, it doesn’t mean you are safe. If not addressed early, gingivitis can turn out to be a serious form of oral disease.

The most prevalent cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Taking steps to keep your gums and teeth clean is the best prevention there is. Plaque can build up fast if you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly or as advised by your dentist. In simple terms, plaque is usually a buildup of bacteria, food particles, and mucus on your teeth. When left unchecked for long, it will turn into tartar. Tartar is virtually impossible to remove without professional teeth cleaning and might cause tooth decay when left untreated.  

Besides poor oral health, several other things can lead to gingivitis. Medications, diabetes, tobacco use, poor nutrition, and hormonal changes are among the prevalent causes. 

Periodontitis: Advanced gum disease

Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that harms the soft tissue and may even tear down the bone that anchors your teeth. Periodontitis can easily cause tooth loss and has been associated with an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.  

Fortunately, periodontitis is preventable. Like gingivitis, it is primarily caused by poor oral hygiene. Thus, brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting the best dentist in Orange Park, FL bi-annually can help you avert the onset of periodontitis.

Symptoms of periodontitis may include loose teeth, bad breath, gums that pull away from your teeth, pus between teeth and gums, and swollen teeth. If you discern any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to see your family dentist immediately. There are measures that your dentist can be taken to prevent the spread of the disease. Therefore, the sooner you act, the better. 

The causes and risk factors of periodontitis are akin to those of gingivitis. But the results can be more serious. As we mentioned, asthma, poorly controlled diabetes, stroke, cancer, tooth loss, and other illnesses have been linked to periodontitis. Research has shown that the bacteria that cause periodontitis can enter your bloodstream, affecting the heart, lungs, and other body parts. 

Obviously, neither form of gum disease is better, but periodontitis is, without a doubt, worse than gingivitis. Prevention is encouraged when it comes to gum disease, and proper oral hygiene is the best bet. 

Treatment for gingivitis

You must pay attention to your oral care routine if gingivitis is detected. At least brush your teeth twice a day with a dentist-recommended toothpaste and floss at least once a day to get rid of debris and plaques from your teeth’s surfaces.

Also, avoid using tobacco, which can not only lead to gum disease but aggravate its symptoms. Actually, compared to non-smokers, smokers have a twofold increased risk of developing gum disease. Lastly, the importance of a professional cleaning conducted by your dentist cannot go unmentioned. 

Treatment for periodontitis

Treating periodontitis usually takes more time and expertise. For instance, you will want to consult a periodontist as they are better positioned to offer treatments linked to periodontitis. Some of the common treatments for periodontitis include: 

  • Scaling and root planing – A type of deep cleaning that gets rid of plaque and tartar developing above and below the gum line
  • Antibiotic therapy – Non-surgical procedure for healing oral infections following a deep cleaning
  • Gum grafting – Surgical procedure that entails replacing dead tissue via donated material.

The sooner your gum disease symptoms are addressed, the better!

Gum disease doesn’t just fade away with time, particularly in the case of periodontitis. Note that even a mild case of gingivitis must be carefully monitored by the dentist to stop it from aggravating into a severe issue. As for periodontitis, advanced dental care is necessary, as permanent damage can occur if the infection isn’t controlled on time. 

Remember, if you notice anything unusual with your teeth or gums, that’s enough reason to give your family dentist in Orange Park a call. 

Article resources:

Information in this article has been gathered from multiple public health sources, including:

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/common-myths-of-gum-disease

https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/plaque

 

 

Porcelain Crowns & Bridges

Top 5 Ways To Practice Good Dental Hygiene For Life

Posted on September 24, 2024 - 3:41 pm by

Everyone loves a clean mouth. At Esthetics Implant Dentistry, your family dentist in Orange Park, FL, we are all about promoting healthy mouths. In our article, we discuss how you can have dental hygiene and keep it squeaky clean.

Why Is Dental Hygiene Important For Your Health? 

Your oral health is the window to your overall health. 

Poor dental hygiene can lead to inflamed and infected gums and eventually tooth decay and loss. According to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), around 75% of Americans have periodontal disease, which is linked to more serious illnesses.

Without proper dental hygiene, you are at risk of developing several oral and health conditions such as heart diseases, pregnancy complications, pneumonia, etc. On the reverse side, some health conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis can cause dental problems, which makes practicing dental hygiene even more crucial to reduce the risks. 

Dental Hygiene Tips For A Healthy Mouth  

Practicing oral hygiene and keeping it on track helps keep harmful bacteria at bay. At Esthetics Implant Dentistry, we advocate a simple oral hygiene routine that you can include easily in your busy lifestyle. 

We only ask you to stay committed and consistent with our suggested dental hygiene regimen. It should take only a few minutes of your time each day. 

Here are our simple and effective dental hygiene tips. 

1. Brush Twice Daily For Two Minutes

Brushing your teeth is the most important prevention method for cavities, plaque, and gingivitis. 

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes, each using a soft-bristled toothbrush. 

Fluoride toothpaste is recommended for adults as well as for babies and toddlers by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Dental Association.

If you’re using a manual toothbrush, tilt it at a 45-degree angle and brush gently to avoid damage to your enamel. Brush in soft circles inside, outside, top, bottom, and in between your teeth to remove bacteria and plaque. Also, brush your tongue to remove the harmful bacteria that can live there and cause bad breath. 

Electric brushes are better than manual brushes, as studies have proven. Electric brushes have indicators to help you know if you’re brushing too hard and for how long.

2. Floss Daily 

Flossing is ideal to clean the ‘hard to reach’ places in your mouth, like in-between your teeth and up under your gum line. It removes the food particles and plaque buildup in those areas and prevents tooth decay, gum disease and formation of tartar. 

If you’re new to flossing or not regular with it, then you might notice that your gums may bleed. People think that it’s because they hurt themselves with flossing. This is a wrong assumption, as the bleeding results from inflammation and early gum disease. Continue to floss daily carefully and the bleeding should stop as your gum becomes less inflamed with time. But first, inform your dentist about your teeth bleeding after flossing for their advice to rule out the possibility of an underlying condition. 

The order of brushing and flossing doesn’t matter. The advantage of flossing first is that it allows the fluoride in your toothpaste to get in between your teeth better and keeps the enamel strong and free from decay. 

3. Use A Mouthwash

Most people think using mouthwash is optional. But if you’re serious about your dental hygiene, then mouthwash is a must. 

Brushing and flossing help clean less than half of your mouth. Rinsing your mouth with an effective mouthwash can help eliminate harmful germs, plaque, and prevent gum disease. 

However, not all mouthwashes are the same. There are two distinct types: 

  • Cosmetic mouthwash:  This helps control bad breath but only temporarily. See a dentist for a permanent solution to bad breath.
  • Therapeutic mouthwash: This controls a variety of dental issues, such as bad breath, infection, decay, plaque, and gingivitis. This has a more lasting effect, compared to cosmetic mouthwash.

Depending on your condition, you can opt for any of the two kinds of mouthwash. We suggest using any good antimicrobial, non-alcohol-based mouthwash with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Brushing more than twice a day can hurt your delicate enamel. To keep your teeth clean all day, a good idea is to chew sugar-free gum with the ADA Seal of Acceptance for around 20 minutes, preferably after a meal. 

4. Use Sugar-free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates the secretion of more saliva that helps rinse away bacteria from your mouth. It also spreads disease-fighting substances in your mouth.

However, be cautious, as excessive gum chewing can strain and damage your teeth and jaw. Those with alignment issues can be prone to muscular tension and pain.

Using the above four hygiene steps daily can help keep your mouth healthy. But that isn’t enough.

5. Get A Professional Dental Cleaning Done 

Professional dental cleanup is a step up from your home dental hygiene regimen. There will still be areas in your mouth that are not effectively cleaned with brushing and flossing. 

A regular dental checkup starts with an examination that can detect an underlying dental issue. Regular checkups can lead to early diagnosis and treatment for any dental issue. It’s also an opportunity for you to discuss and clear any queries about your dental hygiene and any other underlying condition. Based on your responses, your dentist can help you with the right care for your teeth and gums. 

Visiting your dentist in Orange Park, FL is a mandatory step in your dental hygiene regimen.

Keep It Clean, Keep It Healthy

We need to take dental care and hygiene seriously by taking action daily. It doesn’t take much of your time daily. Also, it’s just 2 dental checkups in 365 days. 

That’s the least we can do for our health. If you’re due for your dental checkup, call us now to schedule an appointment

 

Disclaimer: We routinely draw upon public health resources to inform our write-ups. Information in this article may be drawn up from multiple public health sources, including:

American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy.org

California Dental Association

American Dental Association’s Action for Dental Health

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Webmd 

Healthline

Laser Dentistry

 

Use A MouthwashChew Sugar-free Gum Get A Professional Dental Cleaning Done 

Emergency Dental

Which Dental Fillings Are Best for Tooth Decay?

Posted on September 10, 2024 - 10:00 pm by

Advances in dental care and hygiene notwithstanding, tooth decay or cavity remains an issue for many Americans. Actually, 26% of adults in the U.S have untreated tooth decay. If not treated on time, tooth decay can lead to more severe dental health issues, including failing and abscessed teeth. This is why it’s vital to visit a Palo Alto dentist regularly so that they check for symptoms of tooth decay. 

Dental fillings to treat tooth decay

If you have cavities, your dentist may advise you to have a dental filling done. A filling is a procedure that involves using some combination of materials to restore a tooth’s functional integrity. In other words, this dental procedure strengthens a damaged or decayed tooth by filling it with specific materials. 

There are different types of dental filling. A tooth can be filled by composite, amalgam, gold, ceramic, and glass ionomer fillings. The right type of filling will depend on factors such as:

  • Dentist’s recommendation  
  • The extent of the repair needed
  • The location of the cavity 
  • Your budget/cost of the procedure

Let us explore in detail what each of the above fillings entails.

What type of dental filling is best? 

Amalgam fillings

They are also referred to as silver fillings, despite the fact that they contain more metals than just silver. Usually, they are a mixture or amalgam of silver, tin alloy, and copper, as well as elemental mercury. Dentists have used amalgam fillings for decades. This is mainly because they continue to be the least costly filling type and also one of the most durable.   

According to a 2016 study, the average age of an amalgam filling is around 15 years. Another 2008 study placed the survival rate of amalgam dental fillings offered by private practices anywhere from 7.1 to 44.7 years.  

Composite filling 

Composite fillings are made from a mixture of resin and acrylic that is carefully applied to the cavity while soft but later hardened by the LED light. It’s a popular choice since it can be color-matched to the shade of the patient’s existing teeth, making them almost indistinguishable. That said, composite fillings don’t last as long as Amalgam fillings. According to a 2014 study, these fillings can last around ten years. 

Note: the material used to make composite filling is also used to fill in small gaps between teeth and repair chipped teeth.  

Gold fillings 

Gold fillings, as you may expect, are more expensive than composite or amalgam restorations. They are, however, more durable. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), gold fillings can last about 20 years.

Ceramic

Ceramic fillings have a natural look that resembles composite fillings. One main advantage of ceramic is its long lifespan. However, ceramic fillings are usually limited to large cavities as they can be difficult to fit well into small spaces without fragmenting. In terms of costs, ceramic is more expensive than composite.     

Glass ionomer fillings

Glass ionomer fillings are made from a mixture of acrylic and fluoroaluminosilicate glass and are ideal for young ones whose teeth are still changing. Glass ionomer fillings release fluoride, which helps to prevent teeth from future decay. That said, they only last a few years, as they are considerably weaker than composite and more likely to wear or tear. 

Steps involved in filling a tooth

Examination and treatment plan

Your Orange Park FL dentist will examine the level of cavity or decay by looking at your teeth. If your dentist believes that the cavity might be deeper, a tiny X-Ray might be conducted to examine that specific tooth. Also, a panoramic X-Ray might be required to check the prognoses of all teeth. Dental fillings are perfect for fractures and minor decay, but your dentist will advise you accordingly. 

Removal of tooth cavity 

In case the cavity is deep, your dentist may administer anesthesia to numb the area before they start getting rid of the decay. For the majority of cases, the treatment is performed on the surface and doesn’t require local anesthesia. 

The damaged or decayed tooth is prepared using a drilling handpiece. The entire section is cleaned and decontaminated to eliminate lingering bacteria or debris.  

Tooth filling and polishing

The filling material is carefully applied to fill the cavity. The finished tooth is polished and any excess material is trimmed off.  

Caring for your teeth with fillings 

To maintain your dental fillings, follow good oral hygiene practices such as:

  • Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste 
  • Flossing at least two times per day
  • Visiting your dentist bi-annually for cleanings 

Contact your dentist immediately if: 

  • You feel a sharp edge 
  • Your teeth are exceedingly sensitive
  • If you notice a missing piece of a filling 
  • If you see a crack in a filling,

Visit the best family dentist in Orange Park, FL for the best advice on fillings

Cavities, if not treated properly, can lead to tooth loss. Dental fillings exist to prevent worse damage from occurring. Your Orange Park, FL dentist is best positioned to advise you on the best filling type whenever you need a tooth restored. Schedule an appointment today! 

At Blue Turtle Dental, most of our patients prefer the composite filling. While traditional fillings are made of metal mixtures, having a mouth full of silver or gold can leave patients dissatisfied with their appearance. White fillings protect the tooth against further decay while also maintaining a natural look.

Learn more about the dental fillings services near you we provide at Esthetics Implant Dentistry or schedule a consultation with one of our highly proficient dental team.

Article resources:

Information in this article has been gathered from multiple public health sources, including:

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

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