Your family dentist can provide much more than routine dental care. A family dentist in Greenbelt can provide you with a full range of dental services and treatments that help you maintain your teeth and gums.

Moreover, a family dentist can help identify and treat problems with your teeth, which could lead to oral pain, abscesses, tooth decay, or loss of an infected tooth. They also make getting the very best dental care possible highly accessible. 

While attending to your dental needs every six months for an annual checkup and cleaning is always a good idea, you shouldn’t limit your family dentist’s services to such basic procedures. In fact, a family dentist can meet your needs for routine, preventive, and restorative dentistry.

Here are the 6 amazing benefits of having a family dentist.

• Help you get rid of dental anxiety

Many people feel nervous and uncomfortable when visiting the dentist. Because the same dental office provides a range of services, a family dentist can take care of your basic needs, so you’ll feel at ease. In fact, you’ll have the opportunity to get acquainted with your dental team before undergoing treatments, and this will help you reduce your dental anxiety.

• More convenience

Because they’re familiar with your needs and problems, family dentists are more likely than other dentists to provide early detection of potential health problems that could cause pain or abscessed teeth. This ensures you’re more comfortable getting dental procedures like implants and crowns done, and that you are treated with the right amount of pain medicine.

• A family dentist will know your dental history

A family dentist will check the progression of your dental problems, and they will keep a record of your dental health. They know how much teeth have decayed and how well you do at brushing and flossing, and they will be familiar with your responses to the treatments needed.

• Provide regular and consistent services

A family dentist can provide regular dental checkups and treatments. This enables you to keep your teeth and gums in good condition. Moreover, they can treat your dental problems before they worsen or lead to serious oral issues.

• Preventative care

A family dentist can educate you so that you can prevent problems before they occur. The dentist will ask about your lifestyle and habits, and explain how to care for your teeth to keep them in tip-top shape. A family dentist can also give you tips on how to maintain good oral health, such as how often to brush and floss for the best results.

• Lasting relationship

When you have a family dentist, you can count on consistent care from someone who knows what your dental needs are. You’ll build a relationship with someone who is familiar with you and your family’s dental health.

Periodontal disease is a form of progressive gum disease that is usually caused due to bacterial infiltration. It may begin as a simple gum inflammation (gingivitis), and may gradually progress to affect the supporting tissues of the gums, and the underlying alveolar bone (periodontitis).

Jackson Heights dental office consists of highly qualified dental surgeons who master the skill of detecting early gum changes and are involved in patient awareness about different types of periodontal disease. 

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss

Periodontal disease occurs due to the buildup of plaque, and bacterial infiltration. This leads to the secretion of toxins that attack the gum tissues forming gingival pockets. As the bacteria breeds through the gingival tissues the pockets grow deeper invading the alveolar bone, thus receding the affected gum tissues. If left untreated, this causes loss of attachment and tooth mobility. 

How can periodontal disease be categorized?

There are a variety of periodontal diseases according to the severity of the condition. 

Gingivitis

• This is the most common and mildest form of periodontitis, where the infection is confined to the gums.
• Gingivitis commonly occurs due to pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, stress, certain medications (antihypertensive drugs), and birth control pills. 
• Treatment includes:
  • Home care: Proper brushing and flossing
  • Professional cleaning: Scaling and root planing
  • Antibiotics: To kill bacteria
  • Medicated mouthwash: To promote healing of the gingival pockets

Chronic periodontal disease 

• This type of periodontal disease exhibits inflammation below the gum line, with destruction of the gingival and bone tissues. 
• You are likely to experience a gum recession.
• Treatment includes:
  • Scaling and root planing
  • Antimicrobial medications
  • Pocket reduction surgery
  • Gum tissue grafting 

Aggressive periodontal disease

• This is the most severe form that is characterized by rapid loss of gum attachment and bone tissues. 
• Smoking and family history are common risk factors that may increase the likelihood of aggressive periodontal disease. 
• Treatment includes scaling and root planing. However, surgical intervention and laser procedures are the suggested mode of treatment in most cases. 

Necrotizing periodontal disease

• This form of disease is more prevalent among people suffering from HIV, immunosuppression, malnutrition, and chronic stress.
• Tissue death affects the periodontal ligament, gingival tissues, and alveolar bone. 
• Treatment includes:
  • Scaling and root planing
  • Antibiotics
  • Medicated mouthwash
  • Antifungal drugs

Periodontal disease related to systemic health conditions

• Periodontal disease could be a symptom of any health condition affecting the rest of the body. 
• Diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disease are the most common cofactors that intensify gum disease. 
• Treatment usually includes controlling the onset of the underlying health condition. 

Periodontal disease, though the most prevalent gum disease, can be effectively cured if detected early. This is possible through good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. 

Visits to the dentist every six months are essential not only to guarantee your long-term dental health but also to minimize the risk of dental emergencies. These appointments usually consist of professional cleaning of the teeth that eliminates tartar (hardened plaque) which can lead to oral health problems such as cavities, gum disease, and poor breath, among others An office of dental care in Brookline can help.

Dental Exam

Most hygienists conduct an oral examination before cleaning the teeth, as it may disclose the need for a full-mouth debridement instead of standard teeth cleaning of the exposed portion of the teeth (above the gum line). Expect the following during a standard oral evaluation:

• Physical examination of your mouth’s condition. This entails a thorough examination of your teeth, tongue, lips, mouth, and mandible.  

• Periodontal probing – examining gum health through a physical exam and measuring the depth of gum cavities

• Normal dental cleansing does not necessitate X-rays. But your dentist might suggest they evaluate the extent of tooth erosion within or between impacted teeth. Depending on the results, you may need to schedule scaling and root planing alongside your teeth cleansing. 

Oral Hygiene 

A dental hygienist will scrub your teeth employing special instruments to remove tartar, a procedure known as scaling, following the examination. Following this, the teeth are going to be polished with a gritty substance. This technique is used to eliminate any discoloration on the surface. The hygienist will then use dental floss to clear the space between your teeth. 

To guarantee your ideal dental health, you may require additional services, including:

• Gingival irrigation entails spraying a stream of medicinal water in the issue areas to eliminate bacteria hidden in hard-to-reach areas that are difficult to access with a toothbrush or floss to eliminate food debris and collected bacteria. This decreases the size of gum pockets and enhances overall oral health. 

• Fluoride varnish – a dental professional might suggest fluoride treatment to remineralize teeth with extremely thin enamel, to treat hypersensitivity caused by enamel erosion, or to prevent cavities. 

• Remember that your oral health is linked to your overall health. Consequently, during your dental exam, the hygienist is able to recognize the symptoms of specific illnesses and diseases, such as a lack of nutrients, diabetes, and hormonal irregularities, and suggest what should be done to help manage them and resolve the issue. 

Speak to a dentist! 

It is always a good idea to seek help from a dentist. During your dental exam and cleaning, your dentist will guide you on how to proceed and provide aftercare tips. 

Orthodontics has advanced since metal braces and headgear. Modern technology offers numerous teeth-straightening solutions, including aligners. Clear plastic trays gently move teeth into desirable places. Thus, many worry that aligners will replace braces.

Yes, definitely. Aligners offer numerous advantages over regular braces, including comfort and discretion. This essay will explain why aligners are becoming the most popular way to straighten teeth and why they could revolutionize orthodontics. A family dentist in Monterey Park can help you with your teeth.

Aligners—what are they?

Custom-fitted aligners are clear plastic trays. They progressively align teeth. The aligners are worn 20–22 hours daily and replaced every 1-2 weeks, according to the treatment regimen.

How do aligners function?

• Aligners require several processes. First, an orthodontist will decide if aligners are right for the patient.
• If aligners are appropriate, the orthodontist will collect teeth imprints to construct a 3D mouth model.
• The orthodontist will use this model to plan tooth movement. The patient’s custom aligners are built from this blueprint.
• Each aligner moves teeth slightly. Aligners gently push teeth into place.
• After one aligner moves the teeth as much as feasible, it is changed with the next. Repeat until the teeth are in place.

Aligners benefits:

Aligners have several benefits. Some of them are as follows. 

• Aligners’ invisibility is a major benefit. Aligners are clear acrylic and less obtrusive than braces. This is beneficial for folks who want to conceal their orthodontic treatment.
• Aligners are detachable. Eat, drink, brush, and floss without the aligners. No wires or brackets making it easier to keep teeth clean.
• Aligners are easier to wear than braces. Aligners don’t have wires or brackets, so they don’t cause mouth cuts or sores like braces.

Aligner drawbacks:

While Aligners can enhance your smile, it also has various drawbacks. Here are a few. 

• Aligners have benefits and drawbacks. Aligners cost more than braces. Aligners are usually more expensive than braces.
• Aligners’ excellent patient compliance is another drawback. Some individuals struggle to wear aligners for 20–22 hours a day. Patients must change their aligners on time and follow the treatment regimen to get results.

Aligners’ orthodontic future -The brighter side!

• The recent popularity of aligners suggests a bright future for orthodontics. Aligners will improve with technology. Future advances include:
• 3D printing technology will improve aligner precision. Orthodontists can customize aligners for each patient, speeding up treatment.
• Faster treatment times: Aligner rehabilitation might take six months to 2 years, depending on the case complexity. Technology will improve treatment times.
• Intricate cases: Aligners are more useful for complicated orthodontic treatments. Aligners will treat more difficult patients as technology develops.

Most people believe orthodontic treatment should begin in the teens once permanent teeth have grown in. Recent child development research has changed that. Read on to know more from a dentist in San Diego, CA.

However, an orthodontist should still examine the youngster to rule out any preexisting issues and determine if the timing of any orthodontic treatment is appropriate. The orthodontist will detect issues and set a treatment schedule. Early orthodontic treatment can be done before jaw development makes it tougher to repair.

Early Orthodontics Benefits

Orthodontists can spot problems early with early orthodontic examination. The orthodontist will be able to solve problems more quickly and easily, cutting down on the child’s time in treatment and his or her potential discomfort.

Early orthodontic treatment can benefit your 7-year-old:

• Preparing for New Teeth

Your child’s permanent teeth may crowd their mouth. Teeth may emerge at strange angles. Early orthodontic treatment creates space for new teeth.

This is significantly simpler to accomplish when adult teeth are still erupting. If you wait until your child’s permanent teeth are crowded in his or her mouth, additional teeth may need to be shifted (or possibly pulled), increasing the complexity of the procedure and the child’s discomfort.

• Addressing Other Dental Concerns

Your youngster may have dental issues beyond crowding. There may be a problem if they have trouble closing their lips comfortably, moving or protruding their jaw, chewing, or speaking.

It is time for an orthodontic visit, preferably soon.

• Teaching Oral Hygiene

Orthodontists can encourage parental practices. An orthodontist can talk to a youngster about the dangers of not brushing their teeth or sucking their thumb and how to avoid them.

Kids tend to listen to authoritative individuals outside their immediate family, even if they say the same things as their parents.

• Getting the Best Smile Early

Crooked teeth and other aesthetic concerns may make your youngster self-conscious as they age. Your child can have a gorgeous grin before prom photos, dancing on stage, or campaigning for class president by addressing such issues early.

• Early Orthodontic Treatment Planning

Early orthodontic treatment is best. It varies by child, but usually before they cease developing. Early orthodontic evaluations allow for timely treatment planning. When your child is 7 years old, you can work with an orthodontist to design braces. Planning for braces usually entails monthly visits to the orthodontist to monitor tooth growth. Braces at 7 are rare but not impossible.

• Be Calm

You may worry about your child’s crooked teeth. You may worry about your child’s thumb-sucking habit and whether they will cease on their own. Your child’s early orthodontic assessment can address these and other difficulties. You can acquire answers for peace of mind concerning your child’s oral health.

It is wonderful to know whether your 7-year-old needs braces.

Commonly used by dentists to restore decay-damaged teeth, dental fillings are a common procedure. The filling substance covers the space left by decay, restoring the tooth’s strength and appearance.

The form of filling utilized will depend on the cavity’s location, size, and the patient’s budget. Fillings are typically performed in a single appointment, but larger fillings might require multiple visits at a dentist in Lakewood Ranch, FL,

What Are Fillings in Teeth?

Dental fillings are used to restore minor to moderate tooth damage, such as cavities, cracks, and chips. Fillings are composed of composite resin, porcelain, amalgam, and gold, among other materials. They are directly applied to the impacted tooth, sealing the affected area to prevent further decay or injury. Fillings are usually employed to restore the tooth’s contour, size, and function.

What Kinds of Dental Fillings Are There?

As a standard element of oral health care, having a cavity filled, which is a crucial aspect of tooth decay, is performed routinely. When you receive dental fillings near you, the damaged part of the tooth is removed, leaving a hole or vacant space. 

Commonly, four kinds of materials are used to fill the space left by removing a cavity. Despite the fact that you may not always have a choice regarding the type of filling you need, it is advantageous to grasp the benefits and drawbacks associated with each.

• Silver Amalgam Fillings

This is the most prevalent filling variety. Silver amalgam is a mineral mixture composed of 50 percent silver, 50 percent tin, zinc, copper, and 50 percent mercury. 1 Because it is inexpensive, robust, and durable, it is dentist’s popular choice!

There are, however, some disadvantages to using silver amalgam. It is unattractive, so it is not suitable for a prominent tooth. Additionally, the material may change shape over time, resulting in a fractured tooth. 

• Composite Dental Fillings

Composite fillings are composed of plastic and resin that are soft when inserted in the cavity and hardened when exposed to a light source. Popular because it can be matched to the color of your natural teeth, making it less conspicuous than silver amalgam fillings.

• Ceramic Restorations

These are made of porcelain, a durable and aesthetically appealing material. Ceramic fillings in dental restorations

Ceramic is more brittle than composite, necessitating larger dimensions to prevent breakage. This necessitates enlarging the space in your tooth to accommodate the additional mass. These restorations made of ceramic are often referred to as inlays and onlays.

• Ionomer Glass Fillings

All of these glass-and-acrylic fillings are optimal for the developing teeth of children. They create fluoride, which aids in preventing further tooth decay.