Read more about the article Life Span of Dental Veneers

Life Span of Dental Veneers

It is difficult to put a number of years for a lifespan for porcelain veneers. Everyone’s mouth is different.

If you are using veneers you should avoid certain things such as:

  • Biting pins or other metal objects, which may chip an edge of veneers
  • Power polishing of veneers. By doing this, the surface can become rough and porous and the porcelain veneers will then stain very easily
  • Frequent snacking, which can lead to cavities on the edges
  • Clenching and grinding your teeth

The chances of longer life span depends on your oral habits, your occlusion and how well you maintain oral hygiene.

If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers, contact Expressions Dental. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve optimal dental health.

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Read more about the article Tips to Prevent Tartar Buildup

Tips to Prevent Tartar Buildup

Tartar, sometimes called calculus, is plaque that has hardened on your teeth. Tartar can also form at and underneath the gum line and can irritate gum tissues. Bad oral hygiene habits cause dental plaque to build up and dental tartar to eventually collect above your gum line, which provides more sticky surfaces for dental plaque to grow on that again collect dental tartar. It’s a vicious cycle. This leads to more serious conditions, such as cavities and gum disease.

Tips to Prevent Tartar Buildup:

  • Having your teeth cleaned professionally every 6 months, or more frequently as recommended by your dentist or hygienist
  • Proper brushing and flossing are necessary to reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
  • Preventive debridement or dental scaling atleast twice a year is recommended if your teeth tend to accumulate tartar.
  • Using tartar control toothpastes
  • Using non-alcoholic anti-bacterial mouthwashes
  • Munching fruits and vegetables like apples, carrot or celery sticks is recommended. They help remove food particles, plaque or tartar on your teeth.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Drink sufficient amount of water after each meal to wash out any food particles in the mouth.

Once tartar has formed, only your dentist or hygienist can remove it. The process for removing tartar is called scaling. During a scaling, the dentist or hygienist uses special instruments to remove tartar from your teeth above and below the gum line.

If you have been affected by tartar, Visit Expressions Dental Clinic in Calgary and seek dental help.

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Read more about the article How to Take Care of Removable Dentures?

How to Take Care of Removable Dentures?

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Removable partial or full dentures require proper care to keep them clean, free from stains and looking their best. For good denture care:

  • Remove and rinse dentures after eating – Run water over your dentures to remove food debris and other loose particles. You may want to place a towel on the counter or in the sink or put some water in the sink so the dentures won’t break if you drop them.
  • Handle your dentures carefully – Be sure you don’t bend or damage the plastic or the clasps when cleaning.
  • Clean your mouth after removing your dentures – Use a soft-bristled toothbrush on natural teeth and gauze or a soft toothbrush to clean your tongue, cheeks and roof of your mouth (palate).
  • Brush your dentures at least daily – Gently clean your dentures daily by soaking and brushing with a nonabrasive denture cleanser to remove food, plaque and other deposits. If you use denture adhesive, clean the grooves that fit against your gums to remove any remaining adhesive. Do not use denture cleansers inside your mouth.
  • Soak dentures overnight – Most types of dentures need to remain moist to keep their shape. Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight. Check with your dentist about properly storing your dentures overnight. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning and soaking solutions.
  • Rinse dentures before putting them back in your mouth, especially if using a denture-soaking solution – These solutions can contain harmful chemicals that cause vomiting, pain or burns if swallowed.
  • Schedule regular dental checkups – Your dentist will advise you about how often to visit to have your dentures examined and professionally cleaned. Your dentist can help ensure a proper fit to prevent slippage and discomfort. Your dentist can also check the inside of your mouth to make sure it’s healthy.
  • Think of them as real teeth – Just as you would brush your natural teeth twice a day, you should brush your dentures twice a day as well.
  • Follow directions – Be sure to follow all instructions that your dentist gives you regarding care and cleaning, and do not hesitate to ask questions.
  • See your dentist if you have a loose fit – See your dentist promptly if your dentures become loose. Loose dentures can cause irritation, sores and infection.

Here are a few things you typically should avoid:

  • Abrasive cleaning materials – Avoid stiff-bristled brushes, strong cleansers and harsh toothpaste, as these are too abrasive and can damage your dentures.
  • Whitening toothpastes – Toothpastes advertised as whitening pastes are especially abrasive and generally should be avoided on dentures.
  • Bleach-containing products – Do not use any bleaching products because these can weaken dentures and change their color. Don’t soak dentures with metal attachments in solutions that contain chlorine because it can tarnish and corrode the metal.
  • Hot water – Avoid hot or boiling water that could warp your dentures.

You can do serious harm to your denture and to your health by trying to adjust or repair your denture. Using a do-it-yourself kit can damage the appliance beyond repair. Glues sold over-the-counter often contain harmful chemicals and should not be used on a denture. If your denture breaks, cracks or chips, or if one of the teeth becomes loose, call your dentist immediately.

At Expressions Dental, our general dentists can answer your questions. Click here to connect to our general dentists to know about dentures and removable dental appliances options.

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Read more about the article Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers

Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of the tooth, for aesthetic purposes. It is like an artificial covering over a tooth surface.

Pros of wearing a veneer:

  • Aesthetic.
  • Stain resistant.
  • Minimal tooth preparation.
  • Covers up imperfections in tooth.

Cons:

  • It is an irreversible procedure.
  • Fragility of the veneer.
  • Teeth sensitivity may occur after placing the veneer.
  • De-bonding of the veneer may occur when you bite hard food stuff.
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Read more about the article Teeth Cleaning Techniques For Children

Teeth Cleaning Techniques For Children

Our Dental hygienist Mel, explains brushing techniques for your children as they do have limited dexterity.

It is very important for children to have a proper brushing and flossing routine ti ensure healthy teeth for life.

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http://www.expressionsdental.ca
Call: +1 (403) 252 7733

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Read more about the article Procedure of Dental Veneers

Procedure of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are customized shells made of porcelain that fit over your teeth to improve their appearance and can be matched to adjacent teeth.

PROCEDURE:

  • You can expect to make a preliminary office visit at which your dentist will take x-rays and examine your teeth to see if veneers is an option for you.

  • The dentist trims about half a millimeter of the tooth enamel to prepare for the veneers. Then he or she takes an impression or mold of your teeth to send to a lab to prepare the veneers, which takes about one to two weeks. You will leave with temporary veneers.

  • When the veneers are ready, your dentist checks the fit and color of the veneers and prepares the tooth (or teeth) by cleaning them thoroughly and then roughening the tooth surface to improve the adhesion of the veneer. The veneer is attached to the tooth with a special cement, then ultraviolet light is used to harden it.

You should just follow a your regular oral hygiene routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to take care for your veneers.

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Read more about the article When to Consider Dental Veneers?

When to Consider Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.

What Problems Do Veneers Take Care of?

  • Teeth discoloration – This is a condition where a tooth changes from its natural color. It can be the result of many factors. Certain foods and drinks like wine, cola, coffee and tea can be major contributors in teeth staining. Also, poor dental hygiene can cause discoloration. Lack of proper brushing and flossing affects the enamel and the dentin, leading to a build-up of plaque that causes this condition. In addition, there are some medications, if used for a long period, can result in teeth staining. Other causes may be genetic discoloration or staining may be covered by the use of dental veneers.
  •  Chipped or broken teeth – Many things can cause teeth breaking such as, accidents, fighting, sports, teeth grinding, eating ice or other hard foods, etc.
  • Irregularly and unevenly shaped teeth – Most causes of this condition start very early in a life. They include inherited conditions, injuries, failure to restore a missing or misaligned tooth, continuous biting of nails affecting jaw muscles etc.
  • A gap between front teeth – One can use dental veneers to close the gap.
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Read more about the article What Can I Do When Dental Tissue Is Injured?

What Can I Do When Dental Tissue Is Injured?

A dental emergency can occur while you eat, play, work out, or take part in any number of normal daily tasks. “Soft tissue laceration” is dental trauma that includes harm to your lips, gums, tongue, or cheeks. The soft tissues in the mouth are delicate, sensitive and easily hurt. They also contain a lot of nerves. When they are hurt, it can be very painful.

In addition to cuts, injuries can occur to the roof of the mouth, the back of the throat, or to a tonsil. These types of wound can happen when someone falls with a pointed object – such as a Popsicle stick or pencil – in their mouth. Kids are most at risk for this type of wound.

Due to all the blood vessels in the head and neck area, even a small puncture in the mouth may lead to alot of blood loss.

Treating Soft Tissue Lacerations

Small mouth injuries may be treated at home. Clean them right away with warm water. As with all soft tissue wounds, the key points to keep in mind are to decrease the flow of blood, reduce pain, promote healing, and prevent infection.

A soft tissue laceration, including injury to the mouth or lips that results in a loose flap of tissue or an open wound, may require stitches. Some patients choose to have a small wound on the lips stitched for cosmetic reasons. A tear in the frenulum (the skin under the tongue between the lips and gums) most often heals on its own and does not need stitches.If a foreign object, such as a bit of tooth or a wire from braces, is stuck in a wound, a doctor may need to remove it.

Preventing Soft Tissue Lacerations

The best way to avoid dental and soft tissue injuries is to wear a mouth guard for all rough play. A mouth guard should be worn at all times for team sports or sports where there is frequent contact with others or with hard objects.

Mouth guards protect the soft tissue in your mouth from your teeth. This is very important if you wear braces on your teeth. A mouth guard may even help to prevent or reduce or severity of concussions. You need to seek emergency dental care if the injury is serious or if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 to 15 minutes. The dentist will wash the area, remove any dirt or debris, and see if your teeth are loose or damaged. Stitches might be needed to close the wound.

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Read more about the article Tips to Treat Mouth Sores (Canker or Aphthous Ulcer)

Tips to Treat Mouth Sores (Canker or Aphthous Ulcer)

Mouth sores or mouth ulcers are small, painful lesions which usually appear on the inside of the cheeks, on the lips, on the tongue, and on gums. The first sign of the sore may be a tingling, burning sensation inside the mouth. They can occur either singly or in clusters. They are usually white or yellow in color, surrounded by red halos. Usually they heal within 7 to 10 days.

Common Causes of Mouth Sores:

  • Nutritional deficiencies such as iron, vitamins etc.
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Food allergies
  • Stress
  • Biting the cheek
  • Infections
  • Hormonal imbalance

Home Remedies for Mouth Sores:

  • Apply ice on the mouth ulcers to help reduce the pain
  • Rinse the mouth with warm water, salt water or a medicated mouthwash frequently
  • Chew food slowly
  • Not to chew and talk at the same time
  • Have dentures fitted properly
  • Apply a topical pain reliever
  • Take oral painkillers
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Use a soft toothbrush and brush gently
  • Avoid spicy, acidic, sour, and/or sharp foods which may aggravate the condition
  • Avoid very hot foods or drinks
  • Eat healthily or increase intake of vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron
  • Learn to relax and find ways to relieve stress

Different products are available to provide relief in different ways. Gels help to relieve the pain, redness, and swelling associated with mouth ulcers. They may also contain ingredients to numb the pain. Mouthwashes help to prevent bacterial infections and reduce the redness and swelling of the ulcers. They also help to treat hard-to-reach ulcers and keep the mouth clean when brushing teeth becomes too painful. Pastes help to form a protective layer over the mouth ulcer, allowing it to heal and at the same time, relieves pain, redness, and swelling.

Sometimes, the sore may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, if you notice that the sores:

  • Have lasted longer than three weeks
  • Have not healed with treatment
  • Are unusually large (more than 1cm in diameter)
  • Occur very frequently
  • Bleed or are painless
  • High fever with appearance of mouth ulcer

You should consult your nearest dentist.

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Read more about the article How To Stop Teeth Grinding? Causes and Treatments

How To Stop Teeth Grinding? Causes and Treatments

Teeth grinding or bruxism is the involuntary clenching, grinding and gnashing of the teeth. Some people are regular, forceful tooth grinders. Often it happens during sleep, but some people grind their teeth when they are awake. Teeth grinding can be a result of stress. For example, some people grind their teeth when they are angry, concentrating or feeling anxious. It can occur in both children and adults.

Effects of teeth grinding

  • Cracked tooth enamel

  • More wear and tear on the teeth than is normal

  • Broken teeth or broken restorations (for example, fillings)

  • Strain on the jaw joint

  • Pain in the jaw joint or limited movement

  • Tooth loss (rare)

Causes of teeth grinding

  • Emotional stress, such as anger or anxiety

  • Mental concentration

  • Physical stress, such as illness, poor nutrition or long-term pain

  • Some dental treatments, such as fillings that sit ‘too high’

  • When teeth are coming through in babies and children

  • Taking antipsychotic or antidepressant medications

  • Regularly drinking alcohol, smoking and using recreational drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine

Treatment for teeth grinding

If you think you grind your teeth, see your dentist or other oral health professionals as soon as possible. They will look at your teeth and talk about possible treatment options that may include:

  • Repair of tooth damage

  • Fixing fillings that are too high

  • A special mouth guard (‘bite splints’) to wear at night so that the guard is worn down instead of your teeth.

Other treatments may include stress management therapy, relaxation techniques, cognitive behavior therapy etc.

In case of teeth grinding, you may seek help from your dental clinic, your doctor, psychologist or from a physiotherapist depending on the cause of teeth grinding.

Ref: www.nhs.uk/conditions/teeth-grinding
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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