Sealing furrows

To avoid cavities, in addition to bi-daily brushing, there is an operation called groove sealing. Without pain, it is effective if your child’s teeth are healthy. The point on this operation.

Furrow sealing: a solution to prevent cavities

Despite a regular and bi-daily brushing, eight out of ten caries are formed in the grooves (the hollow of the inner side) molars, simply because the bristles of the toothbrush cannot penetrate the very bottom of the wells where hiding food debris and bacteria responsible for cavities. Sealing furrows allows to “pre-empt” caries by protecting the tooth from bacterial attack. According to a US study (countries where furrow sealing has become commonplace), this operation resulted in a 50% decrease in the incidence of caries.

Furrow sealing: a pain-free operation

The sealing of furrows is done by the dental surgeon, without anesthesia (it is absolutely not painful!). The procedure involves closing the cracks in the inside of the tooth with a polymer resin, which acts a bit like a protective “varnish”. Only imperative: that the tooth is perfectly healthy. Sealing takes several years but the child must still visit his dentist every six months to make sure the resin does not wear or come off.

When to make an appointment with the dentist to seal furrows?

The first permanent molars appear around 6 years of age: they have not been preceded by milk teeth and grow discreetly behind the premolars. From this age, you can make an appointment with the dentist to seal furrows, especially since the intervention is reimbursed by the Social Security! The 2nd molars appear around 11-12 years, but it will be necessary to wait 18 years for your child to see his third permanent molars, also called “wisdom teeth”.

Sensitive teeth

If you suddenly start to experience pain when you take something very cold or very hot, it means that your teeth are more sensitive than what is considered normal.

While sensitive teeth are a common cause why many people go to the dentist (dentist), here you can find more information about their causes and some of the treatments for tooth sensitivity.

The normal thing is that when you take something very cold or very hot, your teeth do not hurt. The crown of the teeth is covered by enamel; the dental cement protects the root of the teeth and the gums cover it.

However, if that protection is missing due to the causes I will list below, the external sensations can go directly to the dentin, which is under the enamel and cement. The dentin is responsible for transmitting pain and discomfort to the internal nerve of the tooth.

What is the cause of the teeth becoming sensitive?

  • Brush your teeth too hard
  • Having a cavity near the base of the gum
  • Retraction of your gums due to periodontal disease, heavy brushing or bruxism (when you squeeze or grind your teeth involuntarily as usual)
  • The use of teeth whitening products
  • Use of long-term mouth rinses because they contain acids that can worsen sensitivity

Diet with high content of acidic foods that can damage the enamel such as citrus fruits, tea and tomatoes

Some dental procedure, such as cleaning or when you put a crown. This sensitivity is temporary. In general, poor oral hygiene contributes to the formation of plaque, tartar, cavities and, consequently, the teeth can become more sensitive.

Fortunately, there is treatment for sensitive teeth. Special toothpaste for sensitive teeth is the simplest and most economical treatment. This paste covers your teeth with components that block the transmission of sensations to the nerve. But that does not happen overnight, you must use it for several weeks to get results.

If you’ve already tried using toothpaste for sensitive teeth and it still hurts every time your teeth are exposed to extreme temperatures, visit a dentist. He or she can recommend the right treatment depending on the cause of the sensitivity in your teeth.

For example, if your tooth sensitivity is due to your tooth enamel being worn, applying fluoride will help strengthen it to reduce pain. If your problem is because you grind your teeth when you sleep, a protective or splint for your teeth at night may be the solution, it will help protect your teeth from the pressure they suffer when you squeeze them. Maybe the dentist will recommend mandibular relaxation techniques as well.

If after you have tried several treatments, your teeth are still sensitive maybe the problem is in the root of your teeth. In that case, you will need a root canal treatment, better known as “Canal treatment”. That in a few words, to the nerve so you do not feel pain and discomfort when enjoying something as everyday as a cup of hot coffee or a glass of cold water.

If your teeth are causing you discomfort, it is important that you consult the dentist or dentist. There are treatments and solutions for sensitive teeth is only a matter of finding the cause.

Do not forget that brushing your teeth and flossing regularly are essential habits to have a clean mouth and avoid problems.

No more fear of the dentist

For many people, lying down in the dentist’s chair is a real torment, which starts once the focus is turned on and above all, when the specialist begins to manipulate the necessary instruments. It is an uncontrollable fear that sometimes reaches the dimensions of phobia, so it can be a problem.

Although it has a lot of irrational, because the current techniques avoid pain and minimize discomfort, this sensation causes that a regular visit to the specialist is not carried out, that is left for when the problem has already “gone out of hand”. And it is inevitable to have to go through the consultation. The consequences for health can be serious, but there are also other economic consequences.

Music for the senses

One of the factors that proved more anxiety or anxiety, was the noise of the turbine. It was turning on and the patients’ body immediately tensed and they clung instinctively to the chair, so that’s where he began to study possibilities.

Headset in the consultations that completely isolate the noise and that include the possibility of putting the music that the patient chooses from an iPad. In this way they select the themes that make them feel good and stop listening to the turbine, so the sensation is no longer the same. They close their eyes, he adds, and for a moment they are no longer in the office, but in the armchair of their house, or “at least”, they hear music, which is not the same.

Overcome fear of the dentist

Despite the great technological and therapeutic advances that have occurred in the field of dentistry, many people continue to live with fear the visit to the dentist’s office. For this reason, professionals such, dentist of the, consider that “knowing how to deal with these cases and getting patients to relax is an essential step to solve the dental problems suffered by these people and give solution to the unpleasant pains that can cause in the oral cavity”.

In a large number of cases, patients come to the consultation with a greater or lesser degree of anxiety. In this sense, the patient’s reaction to a dental situation will vary depending on their emotional state, giving different types of behavior and anxiety: adaptive (which occurs in a normal situation, and occurs to cope with a new situation), high -media, here the patient continues to collaborate, and incapacitating anxiety is when we are facing a dental phobia. In these cases, paradoxically the patient achieves what he most fears with his behavior to fear: more pain, more consultation time, more discomfort.

As in many situations of life, fear influences more the interpretation that we each make of the situation than the situation itself. There are triggering stimuli like the white coat, the injection, the sensation of being anesthetized and not feeling anything, not being able to swallow, lying on your back, not being able to close your mouth when you want, strange sensations and tastes, perception of the damage to your physical integrity , etc. But the most frequent cause of “panic to the dentist”, without a doubt, is having had traumatic experiences, (especially in childhood and adolescence).

What can we do to end the fear of the dentist?

First, identify our fears and change our beliefs about the dentist, currently being conscious sedation a novel technique in which multidisciplinary treatment can be performed in a single session.

This technique achieves:

  • Efficiently reduce nervous tension and anxiety
  • Contribute to analgesia and cause a certain degree of amnesia of the procedures
  • The drugs used have a rapid metabolism with minimal secondary or residual effect

It is advisable to carry out an annual review from an early age, from three years of age, which makes children familiar with the dentist and thus create a link with the professional. Currently in the first contacts in orthodontic treatments when you are a child, and depending on the experience of the child in that treatment, it will be what conditions their perception and therefore the fear or not to go to the dentist.

Pediatric dentistry knows how to ensure that children are not afraid of the dentist

Those who know about pediatric dentistry also know that it is very common for children to be afraid of having to visit the dentist. However, child orthodontics is essential if you want to have good oral health, away from cavities and larger problems.

During the first visit to the pediatric dentist, he will perform an examination of milk teeth and teeth.

It will stop to see if there are spots, to check the color and if there is any decay and, some bad dental position or anatomical alteration that has to be corrected in an early way.

Depending on the diagnosis, there are times when it is necessary to carry out a cleaning or filling. This is normal and does not usually cause problems. The disorder comes when more laborious treatments are needed, such as extraction.

How is the pediatric dentist and the child related?

In the face of fear, children may experience sweating, agitated breathing and even uncontrolled crying. In order that this is not the case, it is best to take the child to the dentist’s office since the first teeth begin to emerge. In this way, you will become familiar with the environment of the consultation and with the dentist.

In the same way, the revisions will be periodic because they will not only serve to win in trust with the dentist but, in addition, it will prevent bites or cavities that lead to more severe treatments or extractions.

Prepare your smile for the holidays

While oral health should be maintained throughout the year and visit our dentist at least twice a year, it is very important that before going on vacation you go to a checkup to make sure there is no problem in your teeth.

We know that probably visiting the dentist is the last thing you want to do before going on vacation, but we also know that discovering a painful tooth decay in the middle of your trip is not in your plans either, especially if you are out of country.

In this evaluation, health professionals have to specially check cavities and deep cavities through radiographs and clinical examinations. The reason is to prevent inflammation in the dental canal, which would cause inflammation and pain.

In addition to decay, it is important that the dentist observe each element that makes up the mouth so that no problem goes unnoticed.

Eat plenty of orange juice having vitamin C makes the defenses in your body increase. Try to exercise from time to time, this will help your muscles relax and your immune system is activated. Eat healthy, this will help your body feel much better and you can play better.

Consume fruits, thanks to their properties and being rich in nutrients will make you feel much more active. Avoid sudden changes in climate.  This will only make you catch a cold so you must take care and protect yourself.

The gums should also be healthy, that is, without acute or chronic inflammation and without tartar, the oral mucosa and tongue cannot be with lesions and saliva should be with a normal flow.

If during the consultation with the dentist any discomfort is diagnosed, both the patient and the dentist must collaborate so that the treatment is finished before the holidays. So, while the professional treats a caries or gingivitis, for example, the patient must do his part at home.

Procedures for placing false teeth

A denture is used to replace one or more teeth. These applications can improve a person’s physical appearance. By filling spaces where teeth are missing, false teeth can prevent the displacement of others. False teeth also allow you to chew better. Although some of the false teeth can be removed, others are placed permanently. Being able to place these implants requires several visits to the dentist’s office to make sure they are placed correctly.

Fins

The fins are false teeth that replace the missing teeth, leaving the spaces for the natural tooth in between. The cable ties are glued to hold the tooth in place. Although a fin may not look as natural as other teeth, it is a less expensive alternative to replacing the missing teeth. New teeth can also be added to the denture if a person loses more than one tooth due to caries or periodontitis. One disadvantage is that the irregular shape causes these false teeth to break easily.

Placement

A removable tooth is designed so that it rests on the gums or on the palate. Metal fasteners hold the teeth in place by holding the adjacent natural tooth. The design of the denture is important to prevent the formation of plaque, particularly where artificial and natural teeth come together. Proper positioning also prevents food from being lodged under or between artificial and natural teeth. Sometimes, the natural teeth to which the teeth are clamped must be crowned so that the false teeth can stick more firmly.

Molds

The dentist takes the molds of the upper and lower jaw so that the dental technician can make plastic molds. The technician then positions the artificial teeth in a wax denture that is placed in the patient’s mouth. Any type of adjustment is made before the base of the denture is finished, which is made of acrylic or metal. The wax gums of the denture are then replaced with a pink acrylic to resemble the natural gum.

Tracing

Because the shape of the mouth changes as people age, it is necessary for the patient to be referred for periodic follow-up so that the dentist can check the denture. If a false tooth has changed position or if the gums recede, an adjustment is necessary because this can cause the denture to fall out. Losing dentures often can cause pain in the mouth that can lead to infection.

Bridges

The bridges are designed to stay in place permanently. A bridge is a false tooth that fills the gap of the missing tooth. It is anchored to the natural tooth with metal bands, the dentist then applies resin or cement to hold the false teeth in place. Correct positioning is necessary not only for the patient’s comfort, but also because incorrect placement of the bridges can damage the jaw, gums or remaining teeth of a person. It usually requires at least two visits to the dentist to place and adjust a bridge. Similar to the process of placing false teeth, the dentist makes a mold of your teeth.

Prevention

The American Dental Association highlights the importance of cleaning the natural teeth to which the metal fasteners of the denture attach. If teeth are not cleaned properly, it can lead to plaque buildup under the fasteners. This increases the risk of suffering from gingivitis and cavities.

Prevent tooth sensitivity

Dental sensitivity is a problem that affects a significant proportion of the population. If this is your case, you have probably already felt pain caused by your problem of hypersensitivity, whether during the ingestion of hot or cold food, or even during brushing. As it can be manifested virtually at any time, a problem of dental hypersensitivity can be very unpleasant for those who suffer from it.

What causes hypersensitivity?

To understand this oral problem, it is important to understand the anatomy of our teeth. These are composed of 3 main layers, the enamel which is the hard and white part of our teeth, which contains the dentine and the dental pulp. Dentin is a yellowish and softer part than enamel, which is made up of thousands of small tubes, called dentinal tubules, which contain nerve endings.

When dentin is exposed, the nerve endings are stimulated and send pain signals to our brain. There are two main causes for dentin exposure, the first being the exposure of the root of our teeth, caused by gum recession. The latter can be caused by various factors, such as gum disease, poor brushing technique or inadequate dental hygiene.

The second cause of dentine exposure is tooth enamel degradation, itself caused by improper brushing technique, use of an inappropriate brush or toothpaste, bruxism (unconscious creaking of teeth during the night) or even a diet too rich in food and acidic beverages.

Choose your toothpaste

Several toothpastes for sensitive teeth are now available. These contain an ingredient that restores tooth enamel and blocks access to dentin tubules. These toothpastes must be used for a long time to prove their effectiveness, but this can vary from person to person. Ask your dentist for advice, he will tell you the best choice of toothpaste according to your condition and the affects you are looking for.

Adopt the right brushing technique

You probably know that brushing your teeth at least twice a day is important for maintaining your oral health, but did you know that using a bad brushing technique can cause twists and turns to your teeth? To your mouth. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing your teeth too vigorously can damage the enamel and cause gum recession, two factors that expose dentin and can cause hypersensitivity.

Prevent damage if you suffer from bruxism

Bruxism is the unconscious grinding of teeth during sleep. This is a habit that is greatly damaging to the enamel of your teeth. Over time, it can cause serious harm to your mouth and promote the development of hypersensitivity. If you wake up with headaches and jaw pain, talk to your dentist right away. He may advise you to wear a protective device during the night.

Limit your intake of acidic foods

Foods and beverages that are very acid soften tooth enamel and make it more likely to erode. Foods such as coffee, wine, soft drinks and citrus fruits are therefore to be consumed in limited quantities. Remember that the best way to protect your teeth and enamel is to adopt healthy oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily and visit your dentist regularly, this is your best weapon for preventing dental hypersensitivity.

Professional tooth cleaning

Regular, professional teeth cleaning is the most effective way to protect healthy and beautiful teeth for a lifetime. Above all, interspaces, niches, wisdom and molars, which are difficult to achieve in personal oral care, are professionally cleaned by specially trained professionals. As a result, even fixed plaque can be removed in difficult places and bad breath can be prevented.

With the help of polishing pastes also removes the dental hygienist also discoloration of the teeth and smoothest the surfaces. In addition to the treatment of the teeth on site, the dental hygienist also gives you valuable tips for your personal oral care at home to continue to optimally clean and care for your teeth.

With professional prophylaxis in combination with optimized dental care at home, you not only benefit from a clean, fresh mouth feel, but also significantly reduce the caries and periodontitis risk in the long term.

How often a tooth cleaning is necessary, is determined individually depending on disease degree and risk and constantly adapted. The usual intervals are between three and twelve months for dental hygiene treatments.

Tips for optimal personal oral hygiene

Achieving and maintaining optimum personal oral hygiene plays an important role in dental hygiene. Professional teeth cleaning prepares your oral cavity conditions so that you can perform your oral hygiene optimally independently. Irritation factors are eliminated and any existing caries damage treated by the dentist.

How often should you perform a tooth cleaning?

The usual intervals are between three and twelve months for dental hygiene treatments. Your individual rhythm will be determined and adjusted according to the degree and risk of the disease. Therefore, you receive the offer for the next dental cleaning automatically.

Oral health frequent mistakes

Going to the dentist only when it hurts

In general no one likes to go to the dentist, it is often said that it is painful for both the mouth and the pocket. We skip the revisions with our dentist because of laziness, because we are righteous for money or even for fear. This is why many of us only go to the dentist when we have an emergency or a pain that we cannot take.

The reality is that going to the dentist only when it hurts is the worst thing we can do, the consequences for our oral health can be dire. In addition, it will be much more expensive and the treatment will be more complicated and painful than a regular check-up or cleaning.

As if this were not enough, we should not forget that a periodic review with the dentist is also important to detect early diabetes, nutritional problems and mouth cancer. Not to mention the numerous studies that show the relationship between mouth infections and heart problems, rheumatism, osteoarthritis, etc.

Believe that bacterial plaque and tartar do not harm

The bacteria found in the plaque secrete acids that degrade our teeth and cause decay. These bacteria also cause inflammation and infection of the gums. The problem gets worse when we do not remove the plaque and it hardens forming tartar. Tartar is the result of the mineralization of the plaque on our teeth and is much more difficult to eliminate.

Especially dangerous is the tartar that develops between the gum and the root of the tooth (which is not seen) as it can cause severe periodontal disease. If not treated in time it leads to tooth loss and degradation of the jaw bone.

Brush your teeth insufficiently, incorrectly or at the wrong time

We all know that we have to clean our teeth 2 or 3 times a day, but more importantly, we have to do it the right way. Using an inadequate brush or rubbing too hard can cause enamel wear, dental hypersensitivity or gum withdrawal.

Start cleaning teeth always in the same place is not a good idea because we tend to relax as we brush and always leave the same areas unattended.

Ignore the consequences of the lack of a tooth

The consequences of the loss of a tooth are much more serious than we usually think. The imbalances that cause in the mouth and in the mastication, and the atrophy of the bone in the area where there is no tooth, are much more serious problems than the possible aesthetic damage.

Unaware that factors in your diet are more harmful

There are many foods and drinks that we can think that are not necessarily harmful but that, in fact, are real destroyers of the teeth. For example: chewing gum (even without sugars), candies and sour drinks can cause irreversible enamel erosion. We need to know which foods are harmful to the teeth and rinse with water immediately after having ingested them.

Do not use silk or dental tape properly and, if necessary, the brushes between the teeth

Using dental floss and interproximal brushes is as important as or more important than using the toothbrush. But it is also very important to use them in the right way. We should never roughly introduce the silk between the teeth, rather we should slide it gently using a zigzag movement. Introducing silk very strongly or very roughly can damage our gums.

Do not understand that the problems are from your mouth, the dentist can help you solve them if you have your help

The health of the mouth is ultimately our responsibility. To think that the dentist or a certain treatment will solve all the problems is a serious mistake.