Summer will be here soon. Time for you to head outside and enjoy those warm-weather activities. If sports are in your summertime future, it’s also time to think about your teeth – not just your semi-annual dental visits. You might not realize this, but your teeth are in danger each time you participate in sporting activities. Things like falls and hits to the face – from balls, elbows, or other objects – can knock out or damage a tooth.…
If you have dentures, you probably think that they will last forever. Unfortunately, over time dentures may need to be replaced. Even with proper care, dentures may begin to deteriorate or become misshapen. In addition, your mouth and jaw may change shape, causing your dentures to fit poorly. So how do you know it’s time to replace your dentures? Here are three telltale signs:
1. You’re Constantly Using Adhesive
If you are constantly using adhesive to keep your dentures in place, it might be time for a new pair.…
There are many medications that cause dry mouth as a side effect from antihistamines, to corticosteroids, to antidepressants. If you’re taking one of these medications and noticing that your mouth often feels dry and cottony, then your first step should be to speak with your doctor. He or she may be able to reduce your dose or switch you to another similar medication. If this is not a possibility and you need to continue taking the drug that causes dry mouth, then it’s important to take steps to address this — since dry mouth can perpetuate tooth decay and gum disease.…
Paying for dental work can often be a major burden for many individuals, mostly because the price of dental care can be quite expensive. However, there are various ways to save money when you need dental care, such as the three listed below.
Negotiate With Your Dentist
One of the easiest ways to save money when you need dental care is to negotiate with your dentist or your dentist’s office, mostly because the price of your dental work is not always set in stone.…
Whether you have a fear of going to the dentist, spent a few years without dental insurance, or simply procrastinated, when you haven’t been to the dentist in years it can be scary to make that initial appointment. It’s important to keep in mind that no matter how long you’ve gone in between cleanings, your dentist has probably seen much worse and will simply be happy you’ve finally come in. The sooner you make that appointment, the sooner you can have any potential issues diagnosed.…
Receding gums can affect the appearance of your smile and sensitivity of your teeth. When your gums recede, the root of the tooth – which is not protected by hard enamel – becomes exposed. If you have noticed increased tooth sensitivity near your gum line, it’s important to talk to your dentist. They can help discover the cause of your receding gums and hopefully help you stop the recession before it gets worse.…
If you grew up in the 1980s, you may remember the public service announcement about dental care featuring the animated character “Yuck Mouth” scampering around with horrible-looking teeth. Maybe the ad scared you into taking care of your teeth. On the other hand, it may have had the opposite effect and compounded negative associations you already had about dental care.
For many people, childhood dental phobias spill over into adulthood. In fact, up to 15 percent of adults in the United States fear going to the dentist.…
If you have a connective tissue disease (or suspect that you might), such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or osteogenesis imperfecta, you likely have dental problems. Without collagen—the glue that holds our cells together—gums can be fragile and teeth can be malformed or missing. Due to these types of dental problems, some people with connective tissue disorders seek out cosmetic dental treatments.
Unfortunately, connective tissue disorders can cause problems when getting dental treatment, or any surgery for that matter.…
For many Americans dealing with periodontal disease or other dental conditions that can cause tooth loss, dental implants provide a path back to health. Unlike removable bridges and dentures, these implants quickly integrate into your bone to become a part of your dental structure, and with a 98 percent success rate, they’re generally a good investment in your health. However, the success of these implants largely depends on the strength of the jaw bone anchoring them into place.…
If you’re a diabetic, you already know that the condition affects your body from head to toe. You’re at risk for things like blindness, foot problems, heart disease, and nerve damage. However, you may not realize that you’re also at risk for dental problems like endodontal disease (inflammation or infection of the pulp inside your teeth). Not only are these infections a problem for your mouth, they can also adversely affect your condition.…
