The Different Types Of Tooth Fillings

To treat a cavity your dentist will removed the cavity on the portion of the tooth and then will fill the area of the tooth where the decay material once lived. The procedure is called getting dental fillings. The materials used are also called fillings and are used to repair cracked, worn out or broken teeth. The same procedure is used as well to fill in holes in the teeth as a result of decay or tooth wear.
Sometimes temporary filling are used at emergency appointments for example, where there may be not enough time to do the full fillings. Temporary fillings can last for a long time but they are not that strong so you will need to arrange to have a durable filling placed within a few weeks. Most people have a local anaesthetic injection to completely numb the area while having filling. The numbness can take several hours before you can feel the pain. The decay and weakened tooth a part is removed using the small drills and the cavity are clean. If the cavity has spread to the side of the wall tooth a band will be place around your teeth. This will ensures that the filling will be hardened into the correct shapes.
There are different types of dental fillings. We have the amalgam filling which is made up of a combination of metals including silver, tin, copper and mercury. Amalgam is very durable and is able to withstand the grinding and chewing of your back teeth over a long period of time. The other type is the tooth-colored filling which can be used to match the color of your teeth making them a natural-looking alternative to amalgam. They are often used on teeth that show you smile and talk. They are not durable as amalgam and also not that suitable for the grinding and chewing surfaces of the back teeth just like what amalgam can do. Another type of filing is the crowns. If a tooth has been broken or damaged by a lot of decay or a large filling you can have a crown. It is fitted in your teeth to strengthen and improves it appearance. Crown is shaped like your natural teeth and is fit over the prepared tooth. For the tooth that is in front of the mouth the crown that is usually use is made up of ceramic materials. The crown that is for the back teeth it is usually made up of porcelain or gold or porcelain bonded onto gold. The gold crown may appear in either gold or silver.
We also have the inlays and onlays which is placed within the biting surface of the tooth. While an onlay, covers a larger area of the tooth with special adhesive. There is also a veneers this is use when a thin layer of tooth-coloured material, usually porcelain, is fitted over a discolored tooth.
At some points of our life most of us winds up with a cavity. In the most cases, a cavity calls for your dentist to remove the decay and fill in the tooth area as it is removed. There has been a number of advantages in the field over the past few years. If you are one of the lucky person that has no cavity in a while, you should read up on what is available today so that you choices that is available to you.

Bad Breath and Chewing Tobacco

Summary: Smoking tobacco can cause bad breath and chewing tobacco does the same thing.

Bad breath or in medical term halitosis is a result of poor oral and dental hygiene and can be a sign of other health problems. In addition, it is also caused by eating raw onions or garlic. Bad breath is sometimes temporary and will be gone in a matter of days. Most commonly, bad breath is caused by anaerobic bacteria living in your mouth. We all have these bacteria in our mouth, which only means that we can have bad breath anytime anywhere.

If you don’t immaculately brush and floss your teeth and scrape or brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth, bad breath will result. If you don’t practice proper oral and dental habit, you chances of having an unpleasant breath smell are huge! Imagine the food particles stuck in between your teeth, around the gums, and on your tongue which are not removed. The odor-causing bacteria will breed happily on those friendly environments you created for them, which will eventually, lead to bad breath!

Bad breath and chewing tobacco is interrelated with each other. Smoking tobacco products can cause bad breath and chewing tobacco based- product can also cause breath. Basically, any tobacco based product if smoked or chewed not only cause bad breath, but also stain your teeth, reduce your ability to taste food (as tobacco affect your taste buds), and damage gum tissues.

Smoking tobacco can have a drying effect in your mouth, and dry mouth is likely to have bad breath. The absence of saliva in your mouth makes the odor-causing bacteria to grow, thus results to bad breath. Both by smoking or chewing tobacco- based product, the damages that that it does to your teeth and mouth are the same and they all lead to bad breath.

You may think that chewing isn’t that dangerous than having smoke in your lungs which tobacco-based does. You’re wrong! Chewing tobacco is as dangerous as smoking tobacco it self. The nicotine found in the tobacco is an addictive drug and it sticks to your teeth. Have you notice the dark brown build-up on the teeth of smokers, especially those with poor oral and dental hygiene? That is nicotine! It damages your teeth and deteriorates your gums resulting to a gum disease. You should also know that gum disease is one of the biggest contributing factors of bad breath.

If you want to keep your mouth as healthy and fresh all the time, you need to invest time and effort for its maintenance. You should eliminate your problem with bad breath and chewing tobacco habit if you want to keep your mouth’s sweet and fresh breath

Dangers of Tooth Whitening Chemicals and Treatments

Teeth whitening kits can cause a variety of problems. Problems can occur in accidentally swallowing the bleaching product, faster decay and damaging gums.

The peroxide used in teeth whitening can cause damage to the nerves and the fleshy tissue in your gums. When the nerves are damaged, you will have an increased sensitivity to hot and cold sensations. Laser teeth whitening is not much better; the peroxide is still applied to the teeth, only this time the laser causes it to penetrate more deeply into the tooth. Laser teeth whitening can cause even more damage than just applying a tooth-whitening product to the surface. These problems, if left untreated can lead to tooth decay and in rare cases sometimes loss of the tooth altogether.

The mouth is a very sensitive area of the body. The harsh chemicals involved in teeth whitening should be a last resort after you have tried over the counter treatments such as toothpastes. However, there are a few precautions you can follow to ensure that the whitening process goes smoothly. First, if you have any current problems with your teeth, wait until they are taken care of by a dental professional before whitening your teeth. Never start the process with open wounds in your mouth, such as stitches or ulcers. This can lead to worse problems than you started with, and the chemicals can eat away at the tissue and cause a great deal of pain.

An alternative to chemical teeth whitening is having veneers put on your teeth. Many patients have opted to go this route, despite its cost, and have been very pleased with the results they have achieved. In addition, many celebrities achieve their seemingly perfect smile through veneers rather than chemical teeth whitening. These will remain white and are not porous like your regular teeth. They come in a variety of materials and while they do tend to cost more than teeth whitening treatments, the upside is they last a great deal longer than the results you achieve from a chemical tooth whitening process.

Information About Root Canals

A root canal is a dental procedure that all of us are familiar with. Root canals are something we all dread, although when someone else is getting the procedure most of us find it to be somewhat amusing. When someone asks for a root canal on the other hand, most of us, including dentists, find it to be very absurd to say the least.

Although many aren’t aware of this, root canals have been around for many generations. Many years ago, ancient civilizations used this method to save teeth that would have been lost otherwise. These civilizations offered root canals to those such as queens, kings, pharaohs, and the rich. The teeth from peasants were normally extracted then sold to aristocrats.

Many years ago, doctors believed that worms were the reason for tooth decay. They also believed that there were many ways to kill the worms, including rinsing the mouth in one’s own urine both day and night. Although this is sick to say the least, this remedy was discarded in 1728, proven to be non effective and replaced by other more suitable treatment. As time passed, doctors proved that the best way to stop the pain was to clean and remove the nerve and pulp of the tooth.

Root canals are a very common procedure these days, as they help to save the tooth by removing the dead or dying pulp. The pulp exists inside of the tooth, and can spread to abscess if it isn’t taken care of. The tissue in the pulp is kept alive by the blood vessels that come from the tip of the root and travel along the root canal into the tooth.

Decay is the main reason for pulp in the tooth dying. Once the decay has reached the pulp, it will keep eating away until the pulp has died. Once it dies, the toxins from the decay will be released into the root tip and make it’s way into the jawbone. If not taken care of properly, the jawbone can become infected, which can lead to death in rare cases.

To fix this problem, the dentist will need to perform a root canal. During the procedure, he will numb the area then drill a hole into the tooth. Using various tools and equipment, he will go down inside of the tooth and scrape away the nerves and dead pulp. This is a very effective procedure, although very time consuming as well. In most cases, a root canal can take several hours, although it is the only way to stop the dying pulp and save the tooth. Even though it may take a long time – it is more than worth it when it saves your tooth from being extracted.

Crowns And Bridging

A root canal is a dental procedure that all of us are familiar with. Root canals are something we all dread, although when someone else is getting the procedure most of us find it to be somewhat amusing. When someone asks for a root canal on the other hand, most of us, including dentists, find it to be very absurd to say the least.

Although many aren’t aware of this, root canals have been around for many generations. Many years ago, ancient civilizations used this method to save teeth that would have been lost otherwise. These civilizations offered root canals to those such as queens, kings, pharaohs, and the rich. The teeth from peasants were normally extracted then sold to aristocrats.

Many years ago, doctors believed that worms were the reason for tooth decay. They also believed that there were many ways to kill the worms, including rinsing the mouth in one’s own urine both day and night. Although this is sick to say the least, this remedy was discarded in 1728, proven to be non effective and replaced by other more suitable treatment. As time passed, doctors proved that the best way to stop the pain was to clean and remove the nerve and pulp of the tooth.

Root canals are a very common procedure these days, as they help to save the tooth by removing the dead or dying pulp. The pulp exists inside of the tooth, and can spread to abscess if it isn’t taken care of. The tissue in the pulp is kept alive by the blood vessels that come from the tip of the root and travel along the root canal into the tooth.

Decay is the main reason for pulp in the tooth dying. Once the decay has reached the pulp, it will keep eating away until the pulp has died. Once it dies, the toxins from the decay will be released into the root tip and make it’s way into the jawbone. If not taken care of properly, the jawbone can become infected, which can lead to death in rare cases.

To fix this problem, the dentist will need to perform a root canal. During the procedure, he will numb the area then drill a hole into the tooth. Using various tools and equipment, he will go down inside of the tooth and scrape away the nerves and dead pulp. This is a very effective procedure, although very time consuming as well. In most cases, a root canal can take several hours, although it is the only way to stop the dying pulp and save the tooth. Even though it may take a long time – it is more than worth it when it saves your tooth from being extracted.

Wise Up For Wisdom Tooth

Wisdom tooth might not be the sexiest topics but if you have wisdom that is giving you pain and problems, then there are lot of information you need to know. You should always take professional advice about any pain your teeth are causing. You should also check constantly whether you need a wisdom teeth operation or not. All operation has a risk that may carry. So it is important that you discuss the all the pros and cons of any action that you may take with regard to your wisdom teeth.
Most of the people is quite happy to go through life without the having problems in their wisdom teeth. Some never come through but some they can get through. Some people like to have had to have all four out due to difficult replacement of their teeth and repeated painful infections.
Wisdom teeth are another set of back molars and can be an asset in chewing and biting when they are properly positioned in the mouth. Frequently, these teeth are removed by a dentist or a surgeon shortly upon their arrival in you mouth. So how will you know whether to keep the wisdom teeth or not. Wisdom teeth are burrowed in the neither regions of the mouth, that wise words may flow over a tongue and through the lips undetected and thus unfiltered by the consciousness of the mind to feeble and corruptible such brilliance would never be permitted to prevail except this treasure be hidden. It shouldn’t be destroyed of because these might be the wisdom that we need.
The good news is that when you are in a regular visit to a dentist you will not make your decisions alone. Your dentist will monitor the coming out of your wisdom teeth through x-ray and oral examination and they will talk to you whether they will decide to remove the wisdom teeth or not.
A wisdom tooth erupts only partially, leaving an opening where bacteria can settle in your wisdom teeth and may cause infections. It may result to swelling, pain, jaw stiffness, and even general illness. Poorly aligned teeth may damage or can cause infection to the adjacent teeth. There are two main theories why wisdom teeth exist at all, since in most cases in the modern world they cause problems and have to be removed or else mess it up with the jaw. The wisdom teeth then would help fill in the empty spade that the lost tooth left making for a more complete bite. As our diet shifted, our jaw shrank but wisdom teeth continued to form. Wisdom teeth are so obviously different from their appearance that other teeth. So, it makes sense that most cultures have come up with their own way to describe them. Wisdom teeth are except in rare circumstances, the only other set of teeth that appears and they come quite a bit after the full set of adult teeth have grown in for the most people.
The associations of these teeth with wisdom are in terms of age dates back to antiquity. Hippocrates refers to these teeth as sophronisteres, from the greek word sophron which is also means prudent. So in classical Greece they were the prudent teeth. In Rome they were given the name dentes sapientiae, which literally translates as teeth of wisdom.

Top 5 Most Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

I’ve outlined in this article the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures so you can compare and research them further.

First Place: Bridges, Dental Partials. Custom made false tooth or teeth that will be placed permanently between two healthy teeth is called “dental bridge”. This procedure is for patients that have a missing tooth or teeth.

Second Place: Brite Smile. Helps patients that have stained, yellowed or discolored teeth. The average cost for this procedure is $500.00. Average length of this procedure is one hour.

Third Place: Composite Resin Bonding. This cosmetic dentistry procedures is for patients that have stained or decayed teeth, it’s average cost is $350. It’s average length is 45 minutes to one hour.

Fourth Place: Crowns & Bridges. Ideally for patients that have large cavity, tooth that requires or has had root canal therapy, or tooth that has fractured. Average price $900.00. Length of this cosmetic dentistry procedure is a little long.

Fifth Place: Dental Crowns. This is for patients that have fractured tooth or large cavity, have an average cost of $925.00 and it’s length is one to one and a half hours.

These are the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. I advise you to always research and investigate each and every cosmetic dentistry procedure you might want for yourself. You can do this on the internet from the comfort of your home. Just search for some good cosmetic dentistry sites and you will be ok. Also, be sure to ask your dentist about any additional fees. Costs will vary from place to place.

All cosmetic dentists these days tend to offer advanced care. Because of this, you should expect a very comfortable and pain free cosmetic dentistry procedure that will produce you attractive and enduring results.

Causes Of Halitosis

Most people think that bad breath is caused only by poor dental hygiene. However,chronic bad breath,a condition known as halitosis,can stem from various medical problems,dry mouth and even the Atkins diet.

If you have a consistent bad breath problem it is wise to visit your dentist in order to determine the cause of the problem.There are several possible reasons for bad breath such as dental decay, or gum disease.The dentist can diagnose other problems which cause bad breath including yeast infections of the mouth,dental caries,poorly fitting dental appliances and periodontal disease.

The medical condition dry mouth – also called xerostomia – can also cause bad breath.Anything that dries the mouth makes bad breath worse, because saliva cleanses the mouth.When there is not enough saliva in your mouth to wash away food particles and bacteria, bad breath can result.Alcohol, alcohol-containing mouthwashes,fasting and heavy exercise can all result in a dry mouth and worsen a bad breath problem.Drugs associated with producing dry mouth may also produce bad breath – antidepressants,blood pressure treatments,diuretics and antihistamines.

Bacteria on the back of the tongue are one of the commonest causes of bad breath.The bacteria produces a number of odors including volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) which are believed to be the major cause of halitosis.Some people with bad breath have a white or grayish coating on their tongue.Tongue cleaning is by far the most effective way of combating bad breath.

Many people have occasional bad breath, often on first awakening,or following an evening of alcoholic partying.Certain foods like garlic and onions can produce bad breath but only on a temporary basis.

A deficiency of vitamin B and zinc may be the cause of your bad breath.Smoking can also cause bad breath,reduce your ability to taste foods,stain teeth and irritate gum tissues.

Many medical problems can have bad breath as a side effect – such as kidney disease,cancer,lung problems,infections of the throat,tuberculosis,gastroesophageal reflux,uncontrolled diabetes,allergies and sinusitis.

Most toothpastes can be a cause of bad breath because the stuff that makes the foam actually promotes production of volatile sulfur compounds.Many of the mints and washes people use to combat halitosis dry out gum tissue and only cover bad breath.

However, mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide are very effective at combating bad breath.

The Bad Breath Test

It is possible to suffer from bad breath without being aware of it.Some people suggest a simple test which you can do yourself to detect bad breath.The best way to find out if you have bad breath is to lick your wrist,wait ten seconds,and then smell your wrist.

There are individuals who suffer from halitophobia and believe that they have bad breath,but no physical or social evidence exists to suggest that halitosis is present.

What Can You Do?

Avoid bad breath by drinking lots of water.Drink peppermint tea, spiked with a pinch of anise or cinnamon.

One traditional bad breath cure which is backed up by modern research is yoghurt. Japanese researchers found eating the yoghurt reduced levels of hydrogen sulfide – a major cause of bad breath.

If you get a case of bad breath which persists despite good oral hygiene, consult your dentist and physician.

Treating Scurvy Problem

Scurvy occurs when the person suffers from vitamin C deficiency. It is a very common disease that affects people of all ages. The root cause for this disease is lack of vitamin C or ascorbic acid, present in fresh fruits and vegetables mainly citrus fruits. Ascorbic acid is very useful in the formation of collagen and any other deficiency related to tissue synthesis. Importance of Vitamin C is highlighted when affected by such disease because it helps in forming gums, skin, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. If left untreated it can be fatal.

Common symptoms to be aware of when affected by scurvy are bleeding gums with loosened teeth, soreness and stiffness of the joints, general weakness, anemia, gum disease (gingivitis), skin hemorrhages, slow healing process and many more. It is a nutritional problem and can also result in ‘corkscrew hair’ along with other gum related problems. Other problems include nausea, tiredness, a troubled feeling, easy bruising, dry skin and hair and bleeding into muscles and joints causing pain.

Smoking and different diseases can also cause a drastic reduction in vitamin C which can be as huge as 50 per cent. People suffering from arthritic pain, ulcers are at the risk of reducing good sources of vitamin C. Staying away from acidic sources (rich vitamin C content) such as oranges and lemons reduces vitamin C. Smoking a pack of cigarettes also cuts down on vitamin C by 50 percent. Using aspirin on daily basis helps in the process of increasing your chances of scurvy or sub-scurvy. Smokers are recommended to have at least 100 milligrams of vitamin C daily.

Home Remedies for Scurvy

Include vitamin C rich diet in the form of fruits and vegetables or vitamin C supplements. This helps in stemming bleeding and also minimizes the pain. Take moderate dose of these fruits and vegetables like oranges, lemons, grapefruits, kiwi fruits, broccoli, green peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, sprouts and sweet potatoes in your diet. You can also add nutritious milk, liver, kidney and fish which contains good amount of vitamin C, even after cooking and preserving.

Being on grape diet is very helpful in treating scurvy. Grape diet can consist of raw grapes as well as grape juice.

Indian gooseberry contains ample vitamin C which can be used to treat scurvy by including it in your diet.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

7 Reasons You Want A Holistic Dentist To Take Care of Your Teeth

Use of Bio-Compatible Dental Materials: Let’s face it, we live in a toxic world; so you don’t want to add to your toxic load or create more stress for your immune system through your dentistry. Studies indicate that at some point at least twenty per cent of dental patients develop sensitivity to dental material. Your holistic dentist will have different forms of testing available to ascertain which materials are suitable for you.

Non-Painful and Natural Treatment of Gum Diseases: In dentistry, the only condition that can strictly speaking be called a disease is periodontal (gum) disease. The media has drawn a lot of attention recently to research showing that bacteria causing gum disease is not only found in the mouth. The same bacteria can be found in the blood stream when a patient has gum disease and may also be present in instances of heart disease. The mouth is the gateway to the body and a sound oral environment is a necessary support for a strong heart in a healthy body. Your gums are the foundation for any dental treatment. A holistic dentist will always try to implement a balanced and progressive program for preserving your gums before recommending a more aggressive approach to your periodontal care.

Safe Removal of Metal Fillings: It is vital that a strict protocol be followed whenever metal fillings need to be replaced. This includes tooth isolation so that no metal particles find themselves in your mouth or, worse yet, are swallowed. Clean air and oxygen should be provided for you to breathe, along with any special filtration and a custom high speed vacuum unit.

Get Rid Of Canker Sore Fast

Ideally your holistic dentist will also have a filter that will prevent the metal that has been removed from getting into the public water system. In our oceans, fourteen per cent of the pollution is caused by dental metals. Bay Area dentists are actually required to implement this type of filtration to protect the waters of San Francisco Bay.

Prevention and Effective Treatment of Bite Problems and TMJ Problems: Your holistic dentist knows that your mouth is the gateway to your body, not just internally but structurally as well. The patient’s bite alignment must always be factored into the total picture of dental treatment, along with specific concerns like problems with the jaw joint (TMJ). Bite assessment is important for treatment, not just for the head and jaw but for the structure of the body as a whole.

Measures to take for bite correction include use of splints designed with state of the art materials, as well as muscular adjustments within the mouth. Sometimes your holistic dentist may coordinate treatment directly with a chiropractor in order to give you the most positive results.

Your bite must be at its best for the successful outcome to your dental treatment: a relaxed and beautiful smile.

Adjunctive Support: Traditionally, dentists have always stressed the importance of regular brushing and flossing, particularly after eating sweets, for the maintenance of dental health. Your holistic dentist may put even more emphasis on the importance of good dietary habits.

For example, an alkaline, sugar-free diet is an important adjunct to preventive oral health. It is well known that sugar contributes to tooth decay. This is because the bacteria that cause decay easily feed and grow on intake of sugar. An alkaline diet is also helpful in that the stresses of our world tend to cause acidity of the saliva, which affects the health of both teeth and gums. An alkaline diet keeps the ph of saliva at the proper balance so that the digestive processes beginning with the mouth will function optimally. Following some simple dietary guidelines can minimize and actually eliminate sugar cravings.

Your holistic dentist may also use aids like homeopathics, which are a powerful support to oral health and dental treatment. Homeopathic pellets of Aconitum Napellus can be administered to calm anxiety before treatment. Homeopathic gels can be used topically after procedures to dissipate the effects of anesthetics. Others, such as Arnica and Traumeel, can be applied topically to sore gum tissue.

Cosmetic Bonding for Preservation of Tooth Structure: Metal fillings that are 15-20 years old can create cracks in your teeth that eventually grow to become fractures. It is not uncommon to have old fillings stay intact while the tooth structure crumbles around it. In addition to metal fillings weakening tooth structure, they stain the underlying tooth black. It is best to remove old fillings before the tooth breaks, risking root canals or crowns and caps.

Through bonding techniques caps or crowns are sometimes unnecessary, since bonding helps to hold the tooth together rather than wedge it apart. This strengthening through bonding allows us to be more conservative and remove less tooth structure. There are many durable tooth-colored filling materials available today that support the tooth and look natural and beautiful.

Products and Education for Eliminating Toxicity from Your Dental Treatment, Dental Products, Your Home and Your Environment: Today limiting the damage caused by toxicity is a hidden determinant to good health. Limiting toxicity may present as big a challenge as getting proper nutrition. Your body has the wisdom to convert whatever you feed it into nutrients it can use, but over time the immune system and organs of the body may respond to cumulative toxicity by breaking down.

It is important for patients to know about the ingredients to avoid in toothpaste and mouthwash. There is more and more availability of organic, effective, good-tasting alternatives for home dental care. Your holistic dentist can educate you in the many ways that toxic ingredients can be found in personal care and cleaning products and even food and medicine.

Learning which ingredients are best avoided and taking the time to read labels are two ways that we can empower ourselves and our families to strive for good oral health and overall well being. Educating and influencing patients to have a more balanced lifestyle is another of the reasons why your holistic dentist provides important service to your community.