Family Dentist Archives - Lovebites Dental https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/category/family-dentist/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 14:46:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LoveBites-1.png Family Dentist Archives - Lovebites Dental https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/category/family-dentist/ 32 32 Using Mouthrinses in Kids: Top Considerations https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/using-mouthrinses-kids-top-considerations/ Mon, 29 May 2017 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/using-mouthrinses-in-kids-top-considerations/ When it comes to their kids parents must always be looking for ways to help improve the care of their kid’s teeth and gums. Needless to say, brushing and flossing are still the best ways to avoid tooth decay and gum disease, but some kids – especially the older ones – may start to show some …

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When it comes to their kids parents must always be looking for ways to help improve the care of their kid’s teeth and gums.

Needless to say, brushing and flossing are still the best ways to avoid tooth decay and gum disease, but some kids – especially the older ones – may start to show some interest in incorporating mouth-rinse as part of their oral hygiene routine.

For parents, here are some things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to let your kid use a mouth rinse.

Mouthrinses for kids

Proper Age for Using Mouthrinses in kids

In general, kids younger than six years old must not be allowed to use a mouth rinse to avoid the risk of swallowing the product. It can be quite tricky and be challenging for young kids to learn to swish the liquid instead of swallowing it like a drink.

Meanwhile, those aged six to twelve may use mouth-rinse, but only under close adult supervision.

One good way to determine if your kid is ready to use a mouth rinse is to ask him or her to take a sip of water, gargle it around his or her mouth for a few seconds, then spit it out. If your kid can handle rinsing with water, they are more likely to do the same with mouth-rinse.

Choosing between Alcohol-Containing vs. Alcohol-free Mouthrinses

Many different types of mouth-rinses are available on the market, and the two varieties include the alcohol-containing and alcohol-free. When it comes to fluoride mouth rinses, parents are advised to avoid them for now, as fluoride can result in fluorosis of the kids’ developing teeth.

Fluorosis is a harmless condition, but it can be unsightly due to the changes it can cause to the teeth’s color and texture. It can cause the formation of white spots or brown streaks on the tooth enamel, or make the tooth surfaces uneven and bumpy.

Using Mouthrinses while on Orthodontic Treatment

Kids who have dental braces can benefit the most from using mouth-rinse because mechanical cleaning via toothbrush and floss is often not enough in removing plaque buildup underneath the wires and brackets.

Mouthrinses can be a good adjunct to loosen debris and neutralize the acid-producing bacteria in the mouth. With this three-pronged attack – brush, floss, and using mouth rinse – against plaque, kids should be able to adequately protect their teeth from tooth decay and gum disease while wearing braces. This, in turn, helps to ensure a successful orthodontic treatment that will result in straighter teeth in the end.

Mouthrinses as an Adjunct to Daily Oral Hygiene Routine

Regardless of the type of mouth-rinse your kid uses, be sure to constantly remind him or her that they should not, in any way, replace the good old twice-daily toothbrushing and flossing. While it is true that mouth-rinses offer great benefits against plaque, it cannot match the benefits provided by mechanical cleaning.

Follow the Advice of Your kid’s Dentist in San Diego

Because mouth-rinses is not advisable for every kid, consult with your kid’s dentist first. He or she will help determine if using a mouth rinse will indeed be beneficial for your kid’s teeth.

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All about Cleft Lip and Palate https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/cleft-lip-palate/ Mon, 22 May 2017 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/all-about-cleft-lip-and-palate/ Cleft lip and/or palate are among the most common birth defects worldwide. In the United States alone, more than 4000 babies are born with cleft lip every year, while as much as 3000 have the cleft palate. These developmental defects occur when the structures that form the lip and/or roof of the mouth fail to …

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Cleft lip and/or palate are among the most common birth defects worldwide. In the United States alone, more than 4000 babies are born with cleft lip every year, while as much as 3000 have the cleft palate. These developmental defects occur when the structures that form the lip and/or roof of the mouth fail to fuse properly during embryonic development.

Cleft Lip Palate

Risk Factors for Cleft Lip and Palate:

Risk factors that could lead to the development of cleft lip and palate include diabetes, smoking, alcohol abuse, and anti-seizure medications to name a few. Not taking enough folic acid may also be contributing factor.

Diagnosis of Cleft and Lip Palate:

Cleft lip can easily be diagnosed during pregnancy via routine ultrasound, while cleft palate may only be diagnosed after the baby is born.

Types of Cleft Lip and Palate:

There are two major types of cleft – cleft lip and cleft palate. Some babies are born with either cleft lip or cleft palate, but there are also those who have both.

A cleft lip appears like an opening on the edge of the upper lip, but in severe cases, it may extend up to the nose. It may be a partial or complete, unilateral (one-sided) or bilateral (both sides) left.

On the other hand, a cleft palate pertains to the split in the floor of the mouth, which results to communication between the nasal and oral surgeon, The cleft usually involves the soft palate, or it may also extend into the bony hard palate.

Complications of Cleft Lip and Palate:

The most common problems associated with clefts are feeding difficulties, especially in the case of a cleft palate. The gap in the roof of the mouth prevents proper suction. And thus necessitates the use of special feeders that aid parents in feeding their babies.

Other complications that may arise include speech difficulties, ear infections, and possible hearing loss, and dental problems. Such as misshapen, missing, or misaligned teeth.

Treatment for Cleft Lip and Palate:

Cleft lip and palate is a complicated problem that requires a team effort to manage. Treatment depends on the severity of the left. Some patients may only need orthodontic treatment, but surgery is required most of the time. Surgical treatment is often planned and executed by a team of specialists which usually include an orthodontist, an oral surgeon, a pediatrician, an otorhinolaryngologist (ENT specialist), and a speech therapist. The initial surgery will take place in as early as eight weeks.

Successful treatment shall help the patient achieve normal appearance and function.

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How to Teach Your Kids Better Oral Hygiene https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/teach-kids-oral-hygiene/ Tue, 10 Jan 2017 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/how-to-teach-your-kids-better-oral-hygiene/ Children must be taught of the importance of oral health care as soon as possible. Learning proper oral health at an early age is crucial for long-term oral health. Help your child develop a lifetime of healthy smiles by teaching them good dental care habits. Here are some strategies that could help you. Lead by …

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Children must be taught of the importance of oral health care as soon as possible. Learning proper oral health at an early age is crucial for long-term oral health.

Help your child develop a lifetime of healthy smiles by teaching them good dental care habits.

Here are some strategies that could help you.

How to teach your kids better oral hygiene

Lead by example

The best way to teach your kids is by showing them how something is done. They learn faster that way.

Your kid should see you brushing your teeth when you wake up in the morning and before going to bed at night.

If you do this before they wake up or after they go to bed, change your routine so they can watch you. You can even let you help them you brush your teeth like how you help them with theirs.

Make it a fun time

Seeing you actually do it is a great start, but it would be a whole lot better if you’d make toothbrushing a fun time.

Be creative and make up a story, sing, or have them listen to a cute song about toothbrushing.

If you make it a fun and exciting activity, your kid will surely look forward to it.

Use an electric toothbrush

Another effective way to motivate your child to brush their teeth is by using an electric toothbrush.

Aside from looking like a toy which they’d be more excited to use, it also makes brushing fast, easy, and more efficient.

A water flosser instead of the usual thread floss will also be more interesting for them. For mouth rinses, use one with yummy color and flavor.

Gross them out

You kid will also be encouraged to improve their oral hygiene if they know what will happen if they don’t brush their teeth.

One way to do so is by using plaque disclosing tablets or solutions that would help show areas of plaque buildup.

Tell them that these areas are the ones they often miss but don’t forget to also show those areas that they were able to brush thoroughly.

If the plaque deposits have already turned into tartar, let them know that they need to visit the dentist to have them removed because simple toothbrushing won’t do.

Let them take over

Children aged six years old and above may be able to brush on their own so let them take over.

Kids’ dexterity at this age is enough for them to be allowed to take charge of their own dental care.

Just be sure to supervise them while doing it and inspect their teeth after to make sure that they have done it properly.

The American Dental Association recommends supervising your kids until age 8.

Better yet, ask them to brush along with you. You can also use a timer that will let them know when to proceed onto the next teeth.

Children live by their older people’s example, so it is up to you as a parent and role model whether or not they will stick with good dental habits.

Encourage them to brush and floss daily and watch them grow up with strong teeth and overall healthy mouths.

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A Parent’s Guide To Oral Health Care for Kids https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/parents-guide-to-kids-oral-health-care/ Wed, 21 Sep 2016 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/a-parents-guide-to-oral-health-care-for-kids/ Healthy teeth and good oral hygiene come hand-in-hand, and both are important for everyone regardless of age – even in infants and young kids. Healthy primary teeth are as valuable as permanent teeth, for. They shape the face and help kids chew and speak properly. Decayed teeth, on the other hand, cause pain and discomfort. …

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Healthy teeth and good oral hygiene come hand-in-hand, and both are important for everyone regardless of age – even in infants and young kids.

Healthy primary teeth are as valuable as permanent teeth, for. They shape the face and help kids chew and speak properly.

Decayed teeth, on the other hand, cause pain and discomfort. They also have a huge impact on the kid’s overall health. And development, especially if the discomfort results to difficulty eating.

If left untreated, the decay can spread and damage the permanent teeth underneath, resulting to more painful and costly treatments.

To prevent this, we put up this parent’s guide to help you not just to keep your kid’s teeth healthy and strong, but also to set them up for a lifetime of good hygiene.

A parent's guide to oral health care for kids

Teething:

Teething typically starts at around six to eight months or as late. As three years old, and it can last for a year.

As the teeth begin to erupt, the kid may experience some soreness of the gum tissue.

Feeding them with soft, cold foods like yogurt and applesauce also help. If the soreness becomes too uncomfortable, you may give acetaminophen or better yet, consult a dentist.

And contrary to the popularly belief, high fever is not a symptom of teething. So if your kid experience persistent high fever, consult his/her pediatrician immediately.

At-Home Oral Health Care:

Good oral hygiene should be practiced even before teething begins.

At first, you will have to guide them until they can brush by themselves – at about age 7 or 8.

Flossing is also advised to prevent tooth decay in-between teeth.

Professional Oral Surgeon San Diego Health Care:

Aside from at-home care, you should also take your kid to the dentist regularly. As soon as the first baby tooth erupts or at age 1 – whichever comes first.

Even without tooth decay or other dental problems, dental visits are important for consultation. And patient education as well as for availing preventive treatments such as cleaning, sealants, and topical fluoride application.

Fluoride treatment on regular intervals may be necessary to make the teeth stronger and more resistant to tooth decay.

Parents have an important role in their kid’s dental health. They should teach their kids the importance of oral hygiene as early as possible.

And would be the best way to do that than to lead by example; demonstrate to your kid how it should be done while also repeatedly emphasizing how oral health affects general health and overall quality of life.

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A Parent’s Guide To Tooth Decay in Kids https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/parents-guide-tooth-decay-kids/ Fri, 16 Sep 2016 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/a-parents-guide-to-tooth-decay-in-kids/ Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases that affect children. According to studies, more than half of children aged 2 to 11 has at least one decayed tooth in their mouth. In this article, we come up with a handy parent’s guide to tooth decay in kids so you’ll know what expect …

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Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases that affect children. According to studies, more than half of children aged 2 to 11 has at least one decayed tooth in their mouth.

In this article, we come up with a handy parent’s guide to tooth decay in kids so you’ll know what expect when your child develops a cavity and how to prevent it.

A parent's guide to tooth decay in kids

Early Childhood Caries

The American Dental Association define Early Childhood Caries, or ECC, as having at least one missing, decayed, or filled tooth surface in any of the 20 primary teeth.

Causes of Early Childhood Caries

Early Childhood Caries can occur as soon as the first baby teeth appear in the mouth.

The most common risk factor to its development is prolonged exposure of the teeth to sugary fluids, such as when leaving your kid’s baby bottle in his/her mouth while he/she sleeps or when using a training cup.

The sugary fluids in the bottle or cup pool around the teeth, causing decay. This is why ECC is otherwise known as baby bottle tooth decay. Another factor that has a huge impact on your kid’s teeth is diet.

What to Expect

Tooth decay, especially if extensive, can cause pain and discomfort. If left untreated, it can also lead to the damage of the developing permanent teeth underneath.

Most cases of decay require dental work, which can range to simple fillings for small cavities to a full crown for the more extensive ones. Treatment is necessary to prevent decay of other teeth.

Prevention of Early Childhood Caries

The best way to ensure that your kid’s teeth will be decay free is to institute proper oral hygiene early on. In babies, it is important to wipe their gums with a clean washcloth every after feeding.

Once the primary teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with small toothbrush and water – no need to use fluoride toothpaste yet, water is just fine.

When your child is old enough, usually at age 2, you may begin using fluoride toothpaste. Use a pea-sized amount only and be sure to supervise him/her until you’re sure that he/she can brush properly enough (oftentimes at age 6).

Although very common among kids, tooth decay is easily preventable. Aside from watching your kid’s eating habits and instilling good oral hygiene at a young age, it is also advisable to visit the dentist regularly so that any dental problems can be detected and treatment – be it curative or preventive – can be rendered as early as possible. Always remember, your kid’s dental health is just as important as his/her general health.

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Your Kid’s First Dental Visit: What to Expect https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/kids-dental-visit/ Mon, 25 Jul 2016 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/your-kids-first-dental-visit-what-to-expect/ First-time parents often have this question about their kid’s oral health: “When should my kid’s first dental visit be?” According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, it should be as soon as the kid turns one, or earlier if he or she is at high risk for tooth decay. Some parents would find that age …

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First-time parents often have this question about their kid’s oral health: “When should my kid’s first dental visit be?”

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, it should be as soon as the kid turns one, or earlier if he or she is at high risk for tooth decay.

Some parents would find that age too early, so they tend to plan the dentist visit when their kids are much older.

But one year old is actually the right time if you want to avoid future dental problems. In fact, some dentist would advocate bringing your kid to the dentist as soon as his or her very first primary tooth erupts.

But in case you are wondering how this visit will go about, here’s a short list of what to expect during your kid’s first dental visit.

What to expect from your kid's first dental visit

Initial consultation

First dental visits, especially for kids, are always about consultations first. In this consultation, the general or pediatric dentist will teach the parent on how to properly care for a kid’s mouth in order to avoid dental problems.

The parent will also be instructed about proper diet, prevention of oral habits (i.e. grinding, thumbsucking) if any, prevention of accidents that could damage the kid’s teeth, and what would happen in the coming months as the kid continues to grow.

Clinical examination

Along with the initial consultation, the dentist may also conduct a comprehensive oral and dental examination to determine what treatment – preventive or curative – does the kid need.

The dentist and the parent will be in the knee-to-knee position with each other. The kid will sit on the parent’s lap and then lay down with his or her head on the dentist’s lap. This position allows both the dentist and the parent to see the kid’s mouth clearly.

The kid, on the other hand, will be facing his or her parent and can look up to the dentist at the same time.

Cleaning and fluoride application

The first dental visit is mostly for consultation (and sometimes clinical examination) due to one important reason: the dentist wouldn’t want to scare the kid by doing routine dental work right away.

As much as possible, no procedures should be performed because they want this first dental visit to be as comfortable and relaxing as possible.

However, in kids who are highly susceptible to decay, immediate cleaning and topical fluoride application may sometimes be necessary.

This is totally fine because they are not as invasive and “scary” as doing restorations and extractions.

Scheduling of follow-up visits

After consultation, your dentist formulates a treatment plan and schedule your kid’s future dental visits.

The interval of this visits is anywhere from weeks to months, depending on your kid’s treatment needs. The schedule your dentist will provide you must be followed thoroughly because they are sequenced accordingly.

Many dental problems can be treated or prevented more easily if they are detected early.

To do that, one must make it habit to start visiting the dentist even at an early age. Educate your kids early on about the importance of oral and dental health, so he or she will be encouraged to go to the dentist more often.

Find a general or pediatric dentist that you trust and feel comfortable enough to ask any questions that you may have regarding your kid’s oral and dentist visit today.

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Why Your Child’s Primary Teeth are More Important Than You Think https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/childs-primary-teeth/ Fri, 22 Jul 2016 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/why-your-childs-primary-teeth-are-more-important-than-you-think/ Primary teeth, otherwise known as the deciduous teeth or baby teeth, are the first set of teeth that develop in the mouth. They start erupting at around 4-6 months after birth and are completed at age 2-3. There are a total of 20 primary teeth. At age 6-7, they begin to shed off one by …

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Primary teeth, otherwise known as the deciduous teeth or baby teeth, are the first set of teeth that develop in the mouth.

They start erupting at around 4-6 months after birth and are completed at age 2-3. There are a total of 20 primary teeth.

At age 6-7, they begin to shed off one by one to give way to the new set of teeth, called the permanent teeth.

When you think about it if these teeth will be lost anyway, then why go all the trouble of fixing, saving, and preserving them?

Well, even though they will eventually be replaced, the primary teeth serve many purposes – in fact, they have the same function as the permanent teeth.

But to convince you more, here is a list of specific reasons that will tell you just how important these little pearly whites are.

A child's primary teeth are more important than you think

They help kids speak more clearly

The first primary teeth to erupt in children’s mouth are the lower and upper incisors.

These teeth, and all the primary teeth, in general, are crucial for speech development because they provide contact points for the tongue.

These contact points allow for certain sounds to be articulated properly when speaking. Learning to speak properly is very important for cognitive and social development.

If any of the primary teeth go missing for whatever reason, speech impediment results.

They help kids chew properly and more efficiently

Again, the primary teeth have the same function as the permanent teeth especially when it comes to chewing food.

Like your permanent teeth, each primary tooth serves its own purpose. For instance, both primary and permanent incisors are for incising and tearing food, while the primary and permanent molars are for crushing.

We often see kids whose teeth are so badly-broken down that they find it so difficult to chew. Aside from the pain caused by the decay, they also suffer from not being able to enjoy their food.

This hinders them from getting proper nutrition which, in turn, results in failure to thrive.

They boost self-confidence

Another important purpose of healthy primary teeth is for social interactions. Having a perfect set of teeth makes you feel more confident about how you look, right? The same goes for a kid who has a healthy set of primary teeth.

Children, even the very young ones, can easily differentiate a perfect smile from an ugly one. Taking good care of your kid’s primary teeth helps prevent bad breath, promote healthy smiles, and make social interactions much more pleasant for him or her.

They maintain jaw space for the erupting permanent teeth

Sound primary teeth have a certain width that allows them to maintain space for the future permanent teeth. Each primary tooth holds the space for their permanent successor, and they won’t let go until these successors are ready to come out.

Early loss of these primary teeth – particularly the molars – causes the remaining ones to drift into the space left by the missing tooth. This results to the entrapment or impaction of the permanent teeth. Trapped or impacted permanent teeth may or may not erupt.

If they erupt, it would be a partial eruption only and the tooth won’t be in its proper location. It would in front of or at the back of the existing teeth. Regaining lost space is possible through orthodontic treatment, but it can be difficult and expensive.

If a primary tooth cannot be saved and there’s no other choice but to get rid of it, there is still a way to keep the space open through the use of “space maintainer.”

A space maintainer is an orthodontic appliance consisting of a wire loop soldered to a metal band. The metal band is cemented on the tooth, while the wire loop extends across the gap and rests on the tooth on the other side of the gap.

The wire loop preserves the space left by the missing tooth by preventing the movement of the tooth on which the metal band is attached.

They preserve the health of the erupting permanent teeth

Early childhood caries is a severe form of tooth decay that affects children aged 0-4. If left untreated, the decay can affect the deeper parts of the tooth and eventually the underlying permanent teeth. This leads to the decay of the permanent teeth even before they erupt.

To avoid this, the decayed primary tooth may have to be removed. But this must be followed by the installation of a space maintainer to preserve the space.

Whenever possible, saving a primary tooth is a must for the reasons stated above. For more information, consult your general dentist or if possible, your pediatric dentist as soon as your kid’s primary teeth erupt.

A pediatric dentist is someone who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of dental issues not just of young children, but of adolescents as well.

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5 Most Common Dental Concerns of Teens https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/5-common-dental-concerns-teens/ Fri, 10 Jun 2016 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/5-most-common-dental-concerns-of-teens/ Dental problems are just one of the many issues teens have as they go through the adolescent period. Teenage years are probably the most awkward period in one’s life. It’s that time when you worry too much just about anything, most especially on how you look. Learn more about what these concerns are and find …

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Dental problems are just one of the many issues teens have as they go through the adolescent period.

Teenage years are probably the most awkward period in one’s life. It’s that time when you worry too much just about anything, most especially on how you look.

Learn more about what these concerns are and find out what you and your dentist can do about it.

Common dental concerns in teens

Crooked or Misaligned Teeth

Misalignment of teeth is a very common dental anomaly that occurs not just in kids and teens, but even in adults as well.

It often occurs when the space left for the erupting permanent teeth is too little or too much. Too little space leads to crowding, while too much space results to spacing or diastema.

Both can result in an unpleasant smile, malocclusion (a.k.a. bad bite), early wear of teeth, and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems. To correct misalignment, installation of dental braces is often necessary.

Dental braces are placed in the patient’s mouth by an orthodontist, a dentist who specializes in the correction of malocclusion.

Braces are typically made of metal secured in position by colorful dental elastics. But for some teens, the metal display is an issue so there’s also ceramic braces that look less obvious and Invisalign which, as its name suggests, is virtually invisible.

Consult your dentist to find out which option is best for you.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

The third molars, more commonly known as the wisdom teeth, are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. They come out at the age of 17 to 21.

Most of the time, there isn’t enough space for them or their position simply does not allow them to erupt straight up.

In both cases, they are referred to as impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth must always be removed unless contraindicated. If left in the mouth, they may lead to other problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and damage to adjacent teeth.

Impacted teeth are extracted through a surgical operation known as omentectomy. In this procedure, which is done under local or general anesthesia, the dental surgeon makes an incision in the area of the impacted tooth.

The overlying gum tissue is then lifted or reflected to expose the tooth. The bone reduction may be done as necessary.

Once the tooth is extracted, the gum tissue is then put back into its original position and the incision is closed with sutures. Complete healing of the surgical site takes about 3-6 months.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay pertains to the destruction of tooth structure by the acid-producing bacteria in the mouth. It is caused by eating lots of sugary foods without brushing the teeth after.

Much as it is the most common dental disease, it is also very preventable. The best way of avoiding it is to practice good oral hygiene and do regular visits to your dentist for the consultation, professional cleaning, and topical fluoride application.

Fluoride helps make the teeth stronger to stop further decay.

But if the decay is already extensive and tooth enamel has been worn off, your dentist will remove the decay and fill the cavity with an appropriate filling material.

And if the destruction has reached the pulp, the damage is said to be irreversible and a simple filling won’t solve the problem. In such case, the treatment would either be root canal or extraction.

Bad Breath

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is brought about by an accumulation of bacteria in the tongue and teeth.

In most cases, a simple improvement in one’s oral hygiene is enough to get rid of this problem.

A good oral hygiene means brushing at least twice a day and using floss to clean in-between teeth. And as always, dentist visits are also necessary.

Tooth Discoloration

Tooth discoloration may result from surface stains or from changes within the tooth. Surface stains are referred to as extrinsic stains.

This type of stain affects the only surface of the enamel, and is commonly caused by smoking and consuming dark-colored food and beverages.

Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, are those that affect the inner structures of the tooth – the dentin and pulp.

Causes of intrinsic stains include too much fluoride, tetracycline antibiotics, and trauma. Discoloration may also be age-related.

As we age, our teeth appear more yellow as the enamel thins out, causing the yellow-colored dentin to show through.

Extrinsic stains can be removed by regular brushing using whitening kinds of toothpaste and by professional cleaning.

But if you want your teeth to be whiter than their natural color, bleaching is recommended. Intrinsic stains won’t respond to whitening products nor bleaching.

To get rid of them, your dentist will either cover the stains with tooth-colored filling material or put veneers on the facial surface of the teeth.

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Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome Signs & Symptoms https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/temporomandibular-joint-tmj-syndrome/ Tue, 08 Mar 2016 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/temporomandibular-joint-tmj-syndrome-signs-symptoms/ Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disease of the jaw nerves and muscles caused by damage to the temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint is the link between the jawbone and the skull. When this joint is damaged or tampered, it can lead to disarray called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome which leads to pain with clicking, chewing …

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Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disease of the jaw nerves and muscles caused by damage to the temporomandibular jointThe temporomandibular joint is the link between the jawbone and the skull.

When this joint is damaged or tampered, it can lead to disarray called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome which leads to pain with clicking, chewing and popping of the jaw, tooth grinding (bruxism), and inflammation on the sides of the face, nerve uneasiness, headaches, Eustachian tube dysfunction and sometimes disruption of the temporomandibular joint.

TMJ syndrome signs and symptoms

What Are The Risk Factors for TMJ Syndrome?

There are numerous risk factors for TMJ syndrome:

  • Poor posture of the neck and upper back muscles may lead to spraining of neck and abnormalities of jaw muscle role.
  • Stress may increase jaw clamping and muscle tension.
  • Women between 18-44 years of age are more prone to risk.
  • Patients with prolonged inflammatory arthritis have amplified risk.
  • People with poorly positioned teeth or jaw trauma are prone to TMJ.
  • People who have a genetic disposition to pain sensitivity and increased anxiety responses may be more vulnerable.

What causes TMJ Syndrome?

The causes of TMJ syndrome are not completely assumed.

Multiple factors contribute to the muscle stiffness and dysfunction that portray this condition.

It is not clear if some of these root causes directly lead to TMJ syndrome or if they are a consequence of the ailment.

Causes may include

  • trauma to or misalignment (malocclusion) of the teeth or jaw,
  • teeth grinding (bruxism),
  • poor posture,
  • anxiety or stress,
  • inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis,
  • Excessive gum chewing.

What Are TMJ Syndrome Signs and Symptoms?

The main sign of TMJ syndrome is discomfort in the jaw joint.

This joint is located just in front of the ear and pain associated with this may encompass the eye, face, forehead, ear or neck.

Signs and symptoms of TMJ syndrome include:

  • clicking/popping of the jaw
  • ear pain, headache
  • ringing or popping noises in the ears (tinnitus)
  • blurred vision
  • tight, sore or stiff jaw or neck muscles
  • Pain, swelling or a lump in the temple area

What is the treatment for TMJ syndrome?

Many symptoms of TMJ syndrome can react well to home remedies or stress reduction and relaxation techniques.

This syndrome often retorts to home remedies including:

  • Ice packs to the joint,
  • Eating soft diets,
  • Avoiding chewing gum,
  • Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
  • Reflexology of the jaw and neck and stress reduction.

When home remedies are not operational, medical therapies may be necessary. These include:

  • Dental splint, a dental equipment that is placed in the mouth that keeps the teeth in position and prevents tooth grinding
  • Botox installations
  • Prescription medications

Dr. Shahin Safarian is a TMJ Specialist and expert in neuromuscular dentistry providing temporomandibular joint dysfunction therapy to patients in San Diego. Contact Now for a free consultation!

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Leading Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry Technology https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/trends-in-cosmetic-dentistry/ Thu, 21 Jan 2016 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.lovebitesdentalsandiego.com/leading-trends-in-cosmetic-dentistry-technology/ Cosmetic Dentistry has been captivating people from many years since long. Traditional techniques used nowadays are no longer useful and becomes less appealing to people. So need of the hour is to identify and implement new trends in cosmetic dentistry technology. Nowadays youngsters have realized the power of good health of teeth, enamel, and gums. Apart …

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Cosmetic Dentistry has been captivating people from many years since long. Traditional techniques used nowadays are no longer useful and becomes less appealing to people.

So need of the hour is to identify and implement new trends in cosmetic dentistry technology. Nowadays youngsters have realized the power of good health of teeth, enamel, and gums.

Apart from this youngsters would like to avail services from experienced professionals and that too at affordable costs.

Their expectations regarding the quality and efficiency of services also increase.

Under such situations, whether you are searching for cosmetic dentists or simply wants to be updated with new trends in Cosmetic Dentistry here are some points to be taken into consideration by patients and potential customers.

Leading trends in cosmetic dentistry

Trends in Porcelain Veneers:

Porcelain veneers continue being the trend that catches individual’s attention.

Considering this, the materials have to be very good in quality. This is the motivation behind why in most recent years the new material of decision is lithium disilicate.

Likewise, the composite materials have upgraded in quality. Of course, dental specialists encourage their patients to cover just a portion of the teeth and to professionally brighten the others.

Combined with expert whitening treatments, the hybrid of whitening and porcelain veneers are likewise a cost-effective strategy to a dazzling smile.

Trends in Adult Orthodontics:

This is another trend accepted by more and more adults. In this technique, the movement of teeth can be done as opposed to more restorative techniques.

This technique is useful for those who don’t want to destroy the natural structure of teeth.

The hottest new trend is 6 months smile.

This system can move the teeth and make the front teeth look better. Also, this idea has come to be known as “prefabricated braces”.

Another innovation in dentistry that is worth to mention here is orthodontics Invisalign.

Invisalign takes a cutting-edge way to deal with straightening teeth, utilizing a specially made series of aligners made for you.

These aligner plates are made of smooth, agreeable for all intents and purposes invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth.

Wearing the aligners will step by step and delicately move your teeth into the spot, in light of the accurate developments your dental practitioner or orthodontist arranges for you.

There are no metal sections to join and no wires to fix.

You simply pop in another arrangement of aligners roughly at regular intervals, until your treatment is finished.

You’ll accomplish an extraordinary grin with little impedance in your day to day life.

The best part about the entire procedure is that a great many people won’t know you’re straightening your teeth.

In Conclusion:

Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry are continue to evolve.

Above mentioned trends are following consumer’s requests & their demand and the directions asked are for patients to receive a higher esthetic and restoration while dentists are using modern technology and providing a faster turnaround time.

For more information or free consultation; just get in touch with dental experts right here!

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