by Roseman Dental | Jan 29, 2015 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Healthy teeth start with healthy habits. The simple oral care habits that are part of your daily routine actually go a long way towards protecting your teeth and gums against a range of preventable dental problems. Taking care of your teeth requires only a few basic tools and a little know-how.
Protect Your Mouth Against Plaque
Gum disease (gingivitis) is cause in part by the plaque that builds up on your teeth near the gum line. This hard layer is formed by bacteria which flourish in the food particles that should be cleared away with brushing. Over time, the layer of plaque causes the gum line to recede. Your gums might feel swollen and tender or might bleed slightly after brushing. These are a few signs that plaque is starting to win.
An scientific article published just three years ago sheds some light onto the way that bacteria have adapted to respond to the dental care products we use every day. According to Yale researchers, the bacteria and fluoride fight as a result of the bacteria switching on specialized chemical defenses. These defenses can prevent the fluoride from doing its job. As a result, you might not be getting the full range of cavity-prevention benefits from your toothpaste. Removing the bacteria is best accomplished by removing the plaque that stimulates their growth.
How Your Dentist Can Help
Even though daily dental care habits will go a long way towards preventing gum disease, regular checkups with your dentist will help ensure a lifetime of good oral health. During your checkup, your dental care team will:
- Remove the tough layer of plaque that has built up since your last cleaning
- Check for cavities and places where cavities might develop
- Identify any chips or cracks that need repairing
- Provide personalized guidance to help you care for your teeth
Dentists recommend that their juvenile and adult patients see them for checkups and cleaning twice a year. This will help prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria.
by Roseman Dental | Jan 21, 2015 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Everyone wants to have a healthy mouth and beautiful smile, but what exactly does it mean to have good oral health? Some individuals may think that a beautiful smile can be attributed to healthy teeth, but in some cases teeth whitening products can make a smile appear healthy even when it is not. If you are not certain what it means to have good oral health or what steps you should take to improve the health of your mouth, here is a brief definition of what oral health entails.
What does “Oral” mean in Oral Health?
The word “oral” has Latin roots that refer to the entire mouth; not just the teeth. This means that a person who wants to improve their oral health should focus on all of the tissues in the mouth, including the tongue, chewing muscles, teeth, gums, lips, and connective tissues. Based on this definition, oral health is achieved when all of the various structures in the mouth are taken care of and are free from painful conditions.
In addition to gingivitis and tooth decay, other conditions that affect oral health include:
- Soft tissue lesions in the oral area
- Pharyngeal and oral cancers
- Cleft palate
- Cleft lip
- Other painful oral diseases or conditions
Why is Oral Health So Important?
The health and scientific communities are continuously discovering links between oral health and other dangerous physical conditions, such as:
- Premature births
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
If you are concerned about the health of your body in general, you should also be concerned about improving your oral health. In addition to being linked to various physical ailments, poor oral health can also make it difficult for individuals to eat, drink, and converse with others.
How can I Improve my Oral Health?
You can take matters into your own hands and improve your oral health by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash, eating a healthy diet, and receiving regular dental checkups.
by Roseman Dental | Jan 10, 2015 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Over the years, there has been a significant amount of debate over alcohol and non-alcohol mouthrinses. Some companies claim that their mouthwash is superior because it contains alcohol that is capable of killing stubborn bacteria in the mouth, while other companies claim that their mouthwash is superior because it does not contain drying alcohol. Consumers are stuck in the middle of this battle and have a difficult time deciding whether it is better to purchase mouthrinse with or without alcohol.
Some individuals are advised to stay away from mouthrinses that contain alcohol for the following common reasons:
• Pregnancy
• Alcoholism
• Religion
• Childhood
Individuals in these groups may choose not to use a mouthrinse at all because they may be under the impression that mouthrinses without alcohol are not as efficient as mouthrinses with alcohol. However, a recent study compared the efficacy of alcohol and non-alcohol mouthrinses and yielded surprising results.
The Efficacy of Alcohol-Free Rinses Is Comparable to Alcohol-Containing Rinses
The study compared two different mouthrinses without alcohol to a mouthrinse with alcohol. Patients were divided into four groups:
• Group A was instructed to brush their teeth and rinse with an alcohol-free rinse
• Group B was instructed to brush their teeth and rinse with an alcohol-containing rinse
• Group C was instructed to brush their teeth and rinse with both an alcohol-free and alcohol- containing rinse
• Group D was instructed to only brush their teeth
Surprisingly, the study results showed that the alcohol-free mouthrinses were able to reduce gingivitis and plaque at a rate that was comparable to the alcohol-containing mouthrinse. Because the test results showed that there is no reduced efficacy in alcohol-free mouthrinses, it is recommended that individuals choose alcohol-free mouthwash brands over those that contain alcohol.
Improve Your Oral Health Without Alcohol
Individuals who want to improve their oral health and the scent of their breath without the negative effects of alcohol can now rest assured that alcohol-free rinses are just as effective as those containing alcohol.
by Roseman Dental | Dec 17, 2014 | Dental Clinic Blog
Archaeological history shows that for thousands of years humans have attempted to replace missing teeth with things such as stones and shells, but it wasn’t until 1965 that the modern history of dental implants began. That year an orthopedic surgeon in Sweden inserted the first titanium dental implant in an effort to study how well human bones would fuse with the material—his ultimate goal was to study bone fusion for hip and knee surgery, but determined that the mouth was easier to observe—and when the jawbone fused to the titanium, he coined the term “osseointegration.”
Originally dental implants were used only for patients who were unable to wear dentures because they had lost so much bone they could not support the dentures. They were a kind of one-size-fits-all approach, offered in only one width with differing lengths. With advances in technology, though, they have quickly become the standard of care for many patients who need tooth replacement in Salt Lake City. While implants work better for a single tooth or a couple of teeth rather than a full mouth, a similar process can also be used to create implant-supported dentures or implant-supported bridges for patients who need several teeth replaced.
Here are a few things you should know if you are considering dental implants in Utah.
1. Dental implants are not for everyone
Dental implants are a great way to replace a lost tooth or teeth, but they will not work for everyone. The best candidates for dental implants are non-smokers who have a healthy mouth and gums, no periodontal disease, and do not suffer from chronic health conditions. In order to have a successful implant the patient should also have a strong jawbone with sufficient bone density to support the new tooth. Talk to your dentist to discuss whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
2. Getting implants is a process
Implants are usually placed in a three-step procedure following tooth extraction:
- Stage 1: Surgically inserting the implant in place of the root, underneath your gum line.
- Stage 2: Checking that the implant successfully fused with the bone and connecting a post (abutment) that comes through the gums to attach to the new tooth; this occurs about 3 to 6 months after the implant is placed.
- Stage 3: Fabricating and connecting the new tooth to the abutment; this is usually about 2 to 6 weeks after the abutment is connected.
Some dentists may offer “one-stage surgery,” which is a slightly different method that limits the total number of surgeries you have to undergo. Both have similar success rates, so it’s important to find out which one your dentist offers and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each before the procedure.
3. Not all dentists have experience placing implants
At Roseman University College of Dental Medicine our goal is to have each of our student dentists observe or participate in the placement of several dental implants during their dental school curriculum, but not all general dentists have received training on how to properly to place dental implants. Many dentists choose to go on and study periodontology or oral surgery after graduation, or take continuing education classes and training that provide them with the skills needed to perform this procedure. While all dentists are legally able to provide implants, it’s important to check with your dentist and find out his/her level of experience before you schedule a procedure.
4. Implants are not necessarily a permanent solution
Scientific and surgical advancements have increased the success rate of implants, but they are not necessarily permanent. Like anything surgically implanted in your body, there may come a time when you have to have your dental implants replaced. To increase your chances for a successful implant that lasts for many years, ensure your mouth and gums are healthy when you have the surgery, have the implant placed by a skilled dentist, oral surgeon, or periodontist, and see your dentist regularly for check-ups to keep your mouth healthy after the implant is placed.
Dental implants can improve your smile and your self-esteem while also improving your ability to bite, chew, and speak properly after tooth loss. If you think they might work for you, talk to your dentist or call the Dental Clinic at Roseman University at 801-878-1200 today.
