tempik NewburypOrt_Admin | Newburyport Family Dental - Part 4

Author: NewburypOrt_Admin

Can A Night Guard Be Worn with Braces?

Posted on by NewburypOrt_Admin

You may grind your teeth during sleep if you often wake up with a sore jaw, headaches, or tooth pain. Bruxism is a common problem in which people unconsciously grind their teeth or clench their jaw. It can happen when awake, but it’s more common during sleep. While bruxism doesn’t always result in life-threatening issues, regular grinding can lead to teeth damage, poor bite, and jaw disorders such as TMJ.

Fortunately, wearing a night guard can reduce the symptoms of teeth grinding. However, if you’re currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, you may wonder whether you can even wear a night guard. The answer is yes, you can wear a night guard with braces. Keep reading to learn more.

What is a Night Guard?

A night guard is a dental device worn over your upper or lower teeth to protect them from grinding during sleep. It works similarly to a sports mouthguard. The guard creates a barrier against the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from crashing against each other and causing wear and tear. Even when you grind your teeth, the guard absorbs the tension and prevents jaw, head, and facial pain that people commonly feel in the morning.

Night Guard Options for Braces

While you can wear a night guard with braces, there are several considerations to keep in mind to ensure that you don’t disturb your orthodontic treatment, worsen your bruxism, or experience discomfort.

The most significant factor is that you will need to change your guard after a while since your teeth will shift into new positions. When it comes to night guard options, you can go with the following:

  • Over-the-counter night guards: These include stock and boil-and-bite mouth guards. They are available in your nearest drug store or online in various materials and sizes. The boil-and-bite guard is better than a stock one because it molds around your teeth, offering a custom fit as your teeth continuously shift. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to get the best fit due to braces. Similarly, many over-the-counter guards are bulky, low-quality, and don’t offer the best fit. Please note that a poorly fit guard can damage your braces and cause significant discomfort.
  • Custom-made night guards: Whileit might be more expensivesince you’ll need to get several guards until your orthodontic treatment is complete, custom guards are still your best option. These guards use impressions of your mouth, providing the perfect fit, comfort, and protection. Your dentist will evaluate your guard’s fit as your teeth move to ensure everything works perfectly. Custom guards are especially essential for people with average to severe bruxism.

Can Braces Improve Bruxism?

Surprisingly, your orthodontic treatment can help improve or stop teeth grinding and clenching. For example, if your bruxism results from teeth misalignments or bite problems, correcting these problems with braces will also stop teeth grinding. Since the orthodontic treatment is often slow, you may continue to grind your teeth for a while. Similarly, the initial discomfort and stress when wearing braces can make your teeth grinding worse. Therefore, it’s essential to use a night guard until your teeth are correctly aligned.

How to Wear a Night Guard with Braces

Below are tips for wearing a night guard with braces:

  • Check the fit of your night guard regularly. Change it if it’s loose, damaged, or worn out.
  • Place and remove your night guard carefully. Try not to force it on or pull it off forcefully.
  • Maintain excellent hygiene. Clean your night guard daily to prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to infections. Brush your mouth carefully before and after removing the guards.

Are You Interested in Night Guards in Newburyport, MA?

Do you need more information about night guards for teeth grinding with braces? Contact Newburyport Family Dental to book your appointment.

How To Heal Receding Gums Faster

Posted on by NewburypOrt_Admin

Many people underestimate the need for healthy gums, teeth, and mouth. That’s why it might not feel like a big deal to skip brushing or flossing even now and then. Unfortunately, poor oral hygiene threatens your oral health, comfort, and function.

As far as your gums are concerned, poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease and gum recession. When you don’t brush and floss thoroughly and daily, you encourage a build-up of bacterial plaque and tartar in the mouth.

Over time, these deposits release harmful acids that inflame and infect the gum tissues, leading to gingivitis. If not eliminated, these deposits develop under the gum line, creating deep pockets that cause the gums to separate from teeth. This article looks at gum recession and possible treatment options to restore the health of your gums.

What is Gum Recession?

Gum recession happens when the gums pull back or separate from the teeth, exposing more of your tooth, including the roots. It causes gaps or spaces between the gums and teeth. More plaque and tartar build-up in these spaces, eventually damaging the underlying teeth supporting tissues like the bone and even leading to tooth mobility and tooth loss.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Factors that can cause or increase your risk of gum recession include:

  • Gum disease: Periodontal disease is the primary cause of gum recession.
  • Poor oral hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing and lack of routine professional cleanings and check-ups.
  • Genetics: Studies show that about 30% of the population may be predisposed to gum infection regardless of how well they care for their mouth.
  • Aggressive brushing: Vigorous brushing can irritate and damage the gums, making them more vulnerable to bacterial infections and recession.
  • Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menopause and pregnancy make gums more sensitive and vulnerable to gum disease and recession.
  • Tobacco products: Studies show smokers are more vulnerable to gum disease and recession than non-smokers.
  • Bruxism: Chronic teeth grinding and clenching can cause too much stress on teeth, causing the gums to recede.

Signs your gums are infected or receding include:

  • Red, sore, swollen, or sensitive gums
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Teeth that appear longer than usual
  • Gum bleeding when brushing, flossing, or eating
  • Mouth sores
  • Tooth pain or sensitivity
  • Loose teeth
  • New spaces between teeth

Do you have these or other symptoms of gum disease? Contact our office for non-surgical gum disease therapy in Newburyport, MA.

How to Heal Receding Gums

Before are common treatments for treating gum disease and recession:

  • Proper dental care

Excellent brushing and flossing and routine professional cleanings can help reduce and prevent bacteria build-up in the mouth, helping your gums to heal faster. Be sure to avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes and abrasive oral products.

If possible, use fluoride toothpaste and an electric toothbrush. Also, avoid aggressive brushing as it can irritate the gums further, worsening your condition.

  • Deep cleaning

Deep cleaning, or dental scaling and root planning, is one of the most effective ways to heal mild to average gum recession. The dentist or periodontist uses special tools to remove plaque and bacteria deep from the gum pockets during the treatment.

Then, the tooth roots are smoothened, making it difficult for bacteria to re-attach. The procedure also allows the gums to re-attach to the teeth snugly. The dentist might prescribe topical or oral antibiotics to prevent bacteria recolonization.

  • Surgery

Surgery may be necessary in cases where deep cleaning isn’t effective, or there’s significant damage to the gums and underlying bone. For instance, gum flap surgery helps to remove bacteria and repair damaged gums and bones. Gum and bone grafts can repair and stimulate the growth of healthy gums and bone. They can obtain graft materials from different parts of your body.

  • Tray therapy

After deep cleaning, the dentist can recommend a tray therapy treatment. The treatment uses custom trays worn over the teeth and gums to deliver gum medication deep in the deep gum pockets daily. The therapy helps eliminate periodontal bacteria and prevents them from recolonizing, allowing your gums to heal quickly and effectively.

  • Dental bonding

Based on the cause and severity of your condition, the dentist can protect the exposed areas of your teeth with a tooth-colored composite resin material. It protects the tooth from infections and makes the recession less noticeable. It can also help reduce sensitivity.

  • Mouth guards and orthodontic treatments

When dental problems like bruxism and misalignments cause gum recession, your dentist can recommend a mouth guard and orthodontic treatments like braces to align your bite and prevent gum recession.

Other Tips

  • Avoid tobacco products.
  • Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet.
  • Treat underlying health conditions like diabetes.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in gum disease treatment in Newburyport, MA? Contact Newburyport Family Dental for more information.

What Is Involved in A Smile Makeover?

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If you have multiple dental issues, you may feel embarrassed or self-conscious about your smile, which can negatively impact your self-confidence and overall quality of life. Thankfully, if you are looking for smile makeovers in Newburyport, MA, Newburyport Family Dental can help you correct cosmetic flaws for a bright, youthful, healthy, and beautiful smile.

When considering a smile makeover, you might be curious about what to expect from the procedure. This article highlights the steps involved in a smile makeover procedure.

Smile Makeover Procedure

  • Comprehensive consultation

Any dental procedure often begins with a consultation. The dentist will examine your oral health, flaws, and smile goals to know whether and how you can benefit from a smile makeover.

A smile makeover can correct numerous dental concerns:

  • Crooked or misaligned teeth
  • Discolored, stained, or yellowed teeth
  • Overcrowded teeth
  • Large gaps between teeth
  • Missing teeth
  • Teeth damage like chips, cracks, and breaks
  • Worn-down teeth

During the exam, the dentist may take X-rays, images, and impressions of your mouth for more precise information.

  • Preparing the treatment plan

The dentist will create a personalized treatment plan to address cosmetic issues based on the initial examination results. Since every patient has unique conditions and needs, smile makeover treatments usually vary from one patient to another. The dentist may come up with multiple treatment options for you.

When creating the treatment, they will consider factors like oral health, cosmetic needs, and budget. The dentist might make a model or show you photos of previous customers to show you how your smile will look after the smile makeover.

The treatment may include the following:

  • Restorative treatments. If you have dental flaws like missing, decayed, or broken teeth, the dentist may use restorative treatments to address these issues and improve the appearance of your smile.
  • Orthodontic treatments. If you have an improperly aligned bite, the dentist can use orthodontic treatments like Invisalign to align your smile and make it possible to get other treatments.
  • Cosmetic dentistry. You can address cosmetic dental flaws like stains and minor teeth damage with cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding.
  • Treatment process

Once you’ve agreed on treatment, the dentist will spread the procedures over several weeks or months. The order or length of your treatment will depend on your specific condition, type of treatment, and budget. For instance, some treatments, like dental implants, can take 3 – 9 months, while dental bonding might only require a single appointment.

Common Smile Makeover Treatments Include:

  • Teeth whitening. If you have stains caused by staining ingredients like coffee, soda, and smoking, teeth whitening or bleaching can help brighten your smile.
  • Invisalign. Do you have an improperly aligned bite? Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses transparent custom trays to align your teeth for a straighter and more youthful smile. Unlike traditional metal braces, which are very common, Invisalign is removable, more comfortable, and discreet.
  • Dental Veneers. If you have minor dental flaws like cracks, chips, stains, gaps, and misalignments, dental veneers can help. A veneer is a thin shell that’s adhered to the front of a tooth to change its shape, size, and color.
  • Dental implants. Have you lost your teeth? Dental implants are the closest restorations to your natural tooth. It restores your bite, oral health, and smile.
  • Dental crowns. A tooth crown is ideal for correcting dental imperfections like breaks, fractures, deep stains, and gaps. Crowns can also be used to replace missing teeth with implants and bridges.
  • Dental fillings. If you have tooth decay or cavities, a tooth-colored filling can help repair your tooth to improve your smile and oral function.
  • Results

After your smile makeover treatment, you’ll enjoy an improved oral appearance, hygiene, self-confidence, and health. The dentist will give you a few tips to care for your smile to ensure it lasts as long as possible. They also might schedule follow-up meetings to ensure everything is as expected.

Caring for Your New Smile

  • Brush and floss daily.
  • Avoid tobacco products.
  • Eat healthier and hydrate well.
  • Use fluoride toothpaste.
  • Schedule routine dental visits.
  • Avoid damaging habits like chewing nails or ice.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you ready to improve your oral imperfections with a smile makeover? Contact Newburyport Family Dental for more information.

Is Scaling and Root Planing Painful?

Posted on by NewburypOrt_Admin

Excellent oral hygiene is a great way to maintain the health of your gums. When you don’t clean your mouth well, debris mix with disease-causing bacteria to form plaque, a thin colorless film on teeth. If not cleaned on time, it turns into tartar, a hard yellow-brown deposit that forms on teeth and around the gum line.

Over time, these bacterial deposits release harmful acids that attack the tooth’s enamel, causing cavities and tooth decay. The acids also irritate and infect gum tissues, causing inflammation or gum disease. Surprisingly, over 50% of American adults have gum disease.

If left unattended, the infection spreads below the gum line, leading to severe discomfort and complications. These can include gum recession, bone loss, tooth mobility, and tooth loss. Untreated gum disease also increases your risk of severe health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory problems.

Keep reading to learn more about root planing and scaling and how to treat gum disease.

What is Scaling and Root Planing?

Dental scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning, is one of the most common non-surgical procedures for treating gum disease. It’s a less invasive way of removing bacterial plaque and tartar from deep gum pockets to restore the health of your gums and surrounding structures.

Deep cleaning is somehow similar to your regular dental cleanings. The only difference is that deep cleaning also involves cleaning areas under the gum line. Advanced gum disease causes gum recession, the separation of gums from the teeth.

Root planing and scaling are essential to remove bacterial tartar and plaque from these deep pockets where a toothbrush can’t reach.

Teeth Scaling and Root Planing Procedure

Depending on the amount of plaque buildup, you can complete the treatment in one or two appointments. Your dentist can administer local anesthesia to make the treatment more comfortable.

Next, the dentist will begin by scaling. They use special tools to scrape off plaque from your teeth and below the gum line. The dentist also smoothens the teeth’ roots, allowing for easier reattachment of the gums to the teeth. Rough root spots can hold and encourage bacteria and plaque build-up, promoting gum disease.

Your dentist or hygienist can use either or both of the following types of scaling instruments:

  • Hand-held instruments. The dentist uses a dental scale and curette to remove plaque and tartar from teeth manually.
  • Ultrasonic instruments. The dentist uses ultrasonic scaling instruments with a vibrating metal tip to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. A water spray washes away the debris and keeps the tip cool.

Does Dental Scaling Hurt?

Since scaling and root planing involve removing plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and around the gums, it can cause discomfort. Fortunately, your dentist or hygienist will numb your mouth to keep you comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure.

After the procedure, the anesthesia will wear off, and you might experience minor discomfort and tenderness. Fortunately, these symptoms are temporary and should fade in a couple of days. Similarly, the dentist can prescribe some medications to manage discomfort, reduce swelling, and prevent infections.

After the treatment, it’s also essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent bacterial infections from recurring. It’s also essential to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Avoid or limit sugary foods as they can encourage bacteria growth in the mouth, promoting gum disease.

Similarly, eating hard and crunchy food items can disturb or irritate the gums, worsening the pain and swelling, which can encourage new infections. Seeing your dentist for routine dental check-ups and cleanings will also minimize the amount of plaque and tartar buildup in the mouth, significantly reducing your risk of gum disease.

Your dentist can put you in a maintenance cleaning routine every 3 – 4 months. Ensure you go to all appointments. The dentist can prescribe other treatments, like antimicrobial agents, based on your condition. If your condition is more serious, you may need surgery to repair your gums and bone.

Once you’ve healed, your gum tissues should regain their firmness, pink appearance, comfort, and health.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in dental scaling and root planing in Newburyport, MA? Contact Newburyport Family Dental for more information.

How to Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

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Wisdom teeth are the back molars and are usually the last to develop. They emerge through the gums at the age of 16 – 25 years. For certain reasons, not all people develop all or any wisdom teeth. In other cases, the wisdom tooth or teeth can lack enough jaw to erupt and develop normally, causing significant discomfort and other problems. Recent studies show wisdom teeth aren’t as necessary now as they were for earlier humans.

A dentist will always recommend extracting an impacted wisdom tooth if it’s causing problems or is likely to cause future problems. An impacted wisdom tooth can emerge above the gums partially or completely and get trapped under the gums. In either case, surgery extracts the tooth.

How to sleep after wisdom teeth extraction

If you have an appointment for wisdom teeth removal in Newburyport, MA, you might be worried about the pain and recovery. For instance, resting is vital to promote faster healing and avoid aggravating your symptoms. The following tips help increase your chances of getting quality sleep after wisdom tooth removal.

  • Take your medication as prescribed.

After the extraction, your surgeon will likely prescribe medications to manage pain and inflammation and prevent infections. These medications will ease your discomfort and inflammation, making it easier to fall asleep. If the doctor didn’t prescribe any medication, you could use over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and Tylenol.

  • Keep your head elevated.

After invasive oral procedures, always keep your head elevated at a 45-degree angle when resting or sleeping. Use a soft pillow and avoid sleeping on the side of the procedure. The elevation promotes good blood flow from the wound, helping to reduce swelling and bleeding.

  • Remove the gauze.

Post-surgery bleeding should only last a few minutes. While gauze is necessary, you don’t want to sleep with it. It can be uncomfortable, and you could even choke on it accidentally. Therefore, you’ll want to remove the gauze before sleeping. Notify your surgeon right away if the bleeding doesn’t subside.

  • Use a cold compress before bed.

Applying ice to the area before sleep can help minimize pain and swelling, making it easier to fall asleep. Wrap an ice pack in a clean, soft cloth and place it on your jaw or face for about 10 – 15 minutes a couple of times.

  • Create a comfortable sleep environment.

Other than the post-procedure side effects, other factors such as lighting and high temperatures can disturb or make it harder to fall asleep. When sleeping, dress comfortably and keep your room dark.

  • Hydrate well and eat a soft diet

After surgery, you should eat healthy, soft, and non-spicy foods and drinks. These can include yogurt, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs. Be sure to wait until the anesthesia wears off to eat or drink chewy or hot items. Hydrating well is also essential to wash away bacteria.

  • Avoid tobacco and alcohol.

You should avoid smoking and alcohol before and after wisdom tooth extraction. These activities can impair your body’s ability to heal normally and lead to bleeding, swelling, and infection. Avoiding these items can help you sleep better.

  • Avoid strenuous activities before bed.

Rest after wisdom tooth removal is essential to prevent worsening symptoms and promote faster healing. Strenuous activities like heavy lifting can cause increased pressure on the extraction site, triggering more discomfort, swelling, and bleeding, which can affect your sleep.

  • Follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions.

As a general rule, follow all your dentist’s instructions. Also, be sure to go to your follow-up appointments. Notify the surgeon right away if something doesn’t seem right. Common complications of wisdom tooth extraction include:

  • Fever
  • Severe pain
  • Prolonged bleeding
  • Prolonged or worsening swelling
  • Bad breath
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Pus around the extraction site
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Blood or pus in nasal discharge
  • Numbness

Schedule an appointment today

Are you interested in wisdom tooth extractions in Newburyport, MA? Contact Newburyport Family Dental for more information.

Traditional or Digital X-Ray: Which Is Best for Dental Use?

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Maintaining good oral health is ideal for your overall health. Poor oral health is often associated with other problems like heart disease. The first step towards maintaining oral health has a digital x-ray for teeth conducted at your local dentist. Oral images play a critical role in assisting dentists in diagnosing issues that could cause tooth decay and, in the worst-case scenario, tooth loss at later stages in life.

To be on the safe side, book an appointment with Newburyport Family Dental, which offers digital X-rays in Newburyport, MA.

However, before you visit the dentist for a digital X-Ray, you should familiarize yourself with the common types of dental X-rays. You can either get a digital or traditional X-Ray. They differ in terms of procedures and outcomes. Continue reading to find out which is the best for dental use.

Why Dental X-Rays?

Dentists require dental x-rays to assess the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. They are pictures of the inside of the mouth, which help dentists to diagnose problems such as cavities, tooth decay, and chipped/cracked teeth.

If you have an appointment for an x-ray, don’t be anxious since it’s as common as your routine professional teeth cleanings. Children, aging individuals, and persons with a history of poor oral health require a dental x-ray annually.

Traditional X-Rays

Traditional x-rays were discovered in 1895, and practitioners used them in the 1900s. They are used to visualize the body’s structure. Traditional x-rays utilize radiation to capture the teeth, gums, and bones in and around the mouth. They produce x-ray images on a film, which the dentist uses to develop and diagnose oral health issues.

Types of Traditional Dental X-Rays

Two significant classifications of traditional x-ray images exist intraoral and extraoral x-rays. Intraoral is widespread since they capture the inside of your mouth. The dentist only requests extraoral x-rays when he suspects an issue with the jaw.

There are several types of intraoral x-rays based on the specific part of the mouth being examined by the dentist. Occlusal x-rays check for overbites or underbites, while bitewing x-rays assess the lineup of your back teeth and the availability of cavities on the teeth.

Also, panoramic x-rays aid the dentist in visualizing the entire mouth, thus being very useful.

However, over the years, other imaging technologies which are superior to traditional imaging have popped up. Traditional x-rays have thus fallen out of favor with the dentist due to the high radiation levels.

Advantages

Long history – traditional x-rays have been used for over 100 years. The long history helped researchers uncover the relationship between radiation and cell damage.

Risks

Produce high radiation – when a traditional x-ray is about to be taken, you are covered with a huge lead apron to protect your body organs from needless radiation, which can damage your health by damaging your DNA.

It’s good to note that radiation experienced during a single session isn’t sufficient to cause problems on its own. However, multiple traditional imaging procedures can have negative consequences if taken continuously.

Digital X-Rays

In the late 1980s, scientists discovered the digital x-ray. Digital radiography utilizes computer technology and electronic sensors and produces tiny bursts of radiation. Unlike traditional x-rays, the image is not printed on a film. Instead, it is projected onto a computer screen as soon as the sensor is placed near the mouth.

However, digital x-rays require dentists to undergo additional training to use the technology seamlessly. Luckily, most dentists believe its benefits outweigh its drawbacks, such as the additional training.

Advantages of Digital X-Rays

  • Less Expensive – Digital x-rays are cheaper than traditional ones since there is no cost for developing any film.
  • Offers results faster – Since the images are projected onto a screen, there is no time spent developing the pictures and waiting for results.
  • Better images – digital radiography produces high-quality images which make it easy for the dentist to diagnose any dental problem.
  • Comfortable procedure – the procedure is comfortable for patients and causes zero anxiety since they don’t experience unfamiliar sights and peculiar smells—also, no lead apron.
  • Minimal radiation – digital radiography exposes you to safer radiation levels that benefit your health.

Conclusion

Currently, most dental offices only offer digital x-rays to their patients. It improves the patient’s experience and reduces the dentist’s liability. Digital x-rays are better because they are cheaper, more transparent, safer, and quicker than traditional radiography. They also allow for easy storage and retrieval of your oral health records.

Five Benefits & Drawbacks of Tooth-colored Fillings

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A dentist will likely recommend a dental filling procedure if you have a decayed tooth. Initially, only silver or amalgam fillings were available. While still in use today, concerns have risen about its safety due to mercury ingredients. The visible appearance of the filling is also a major concern among many people.

Thanks to innovations in dentistry, you can now repair tooth cavities with tooth-colored filling materials like porcelain and composite resin. Below is a highlight of the key benefits and drawbacks of tooth-colored fillings to help you decide what is best for you.

Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

    • Quick, safe, and painless treatments

Unlike amalgam fillings which contain toxic ingredients like mercury, tooth-colored fillings are entirely safe. Placing the fillings is straightforward, painless, and takes less than one hour.

The dentist may numb you during the procedure to reduce discomfort and anxiety. Next, they will clean the tooth by removing decayed or damaged portions of the tooth – creating hollow spaces. The dentist places a filling material to seal the treated tooth to protect it from further damage. Newburyport Family Dental offers tooth-colored filings in Newburyport, MA.

    • Great aesthetics

Colored fillings like amalgam and gold are highly visible and don’t blend well with natural teeth. Tooth-colored fillings like composite and porcelain blend perfectly with natural teeth, giving you a brighter and aesthetically appealing smile. No one will notice the filling when eating, speaking, or laughing. It will look and feel like a natural tooth.

    • Minimal staining

Since tooth-colored fillings contain non-porous materials, they resist stains and discoloration better than natural teeth. They also don’t cause teeth discoloration like amalgam fillings. Still, limit staining habits, as your filling can stain over time. Unlike your natural tooth, you can’t whiten dental restorations with teeth whitening treatments. They will need replacing to whiten your smile if they get noticeable stains.

    • Long-lasting

Good dental habits like daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups will preserve your filling in perfect condition. On average, a tooth-colored filling lasts for 7 – 15 years, depending on the material. Porcelain fillings are more durable than composite. Avoid chewing hard items like ice. Extreme force can cause the filling to fall or crack, exposing your tooth to further infections.

    • Minimally invasive

Placing some fillings like amalgam or gold requires a significant amount of the tooth’s enamel to be removed. It can weaken your tooth and make it susceptible to cracks. Only a minimal part of the tooth’s enamel is removed with tooth-colored fillings. Placing tooth-colored filings is more conservative and leaves more of the healthy tooth’s structure intact.

Drawbacks of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Like most treatments, tooth-colored fillings do have some cons. Still, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Common cons of tooth-colored fillings include:

    • Higher costs

The biggest drawback of tooth-colored fillings is that they are priced slightly higher than colored fillings, specifically amalgam fillings. Most people opt for amalgam fillings because they are cheaper.

    • Less durable

Some tooth-colored fillings like composite resin are less durable than colored fillings like gold and amalgam. On average, a composite filling lasts for about 7 – 10 years, while amalgam fillings last for 15 or more years.

    • Not as strong

Tooth-colored filling materials like composite resin can easily chip or crack when exposed to extreme forces. For that reason, they are mainly for front tooth restorations. Colored filings like amalgam and gold fillings are powerful and withstand great forces of chewing and grinding foods.

    • They can stain over time

While non-porous, tooth-colored filling materials like composite and porcelain can stain or appear dull over time due to exposure to staining agents. To keep your fillings brighter and beautiful longer, avoid smoking and limit your consumption of highly pigmented items like soda, coffee, red wine, and tomato sauces. For the next 72 hours after the procedure, strictly stay on a white diet.

    • Tooth sensitivity

Since the procedure may entail shaving a small portion of the tooth’s enamel and removing decayed parts, it’s normal to experience minor tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, the effects should fade away within a few days. Be sure to notify your dentist if something feels off.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Ready to repair tooth cavities with tooth-colored dental fillings? Contact our cosmetic dentists in Newburyport, MA, to schedule your appointment today.

Are Dental Veneers a Permanent Cosmetic Solution?

Posted on by NewburypOrt_Admin

If you’re experiencing minor to moderate dental imperfections, dental veneers are one of the best cosmetic solutions to improve your smile. Because dental veneers are custom-made to match your natural teeth, giving you a gorgeous, healthy, bright smile.

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are tiny custom-made shells attached to a tooth’s front to hide damage or improve its appearance. Veneers have tooth-colored materials like porcelain and composite resin. The veneers change the tooth’s shape, size, color, and length.

If you’re considering dental veneers, our cosmetic dentist in Newburyport will examine your teeth and discuss all the available options to improve your smile. When placing the veneer, the dentist will begin by numbing you to keep you pain-free and calm.

Next, the dentist will trim a small part of the tooth’s enamel to create enough room for the veneer to fit without looking bulky or abnormal. Some veneers, like Lumineers, require little to no tooth shaving. Next, the dentist takes impressions and records of your teeth and sends them to a dental lab to make a customized veneer.

A temporary veneer is attached to the tooth to protect it. Once the customized veneer is ready, the dentist will take it out and test it. If all is as expected, the customized veneer permanently attaches to the tooth.

Are Dental Veneers Permanent?

Veneers permanently bond to the tooth. Depending on the veneer material and dental care, they wear off over time. Porcelain veneers are strong and more durable than composite veneers. They also resist stains better than composite veneers and natural teeth.

The veneer procedure is permanent. When placing the veneer, the dentist shaves a small portion of the tooth enamel (only a few exemptions). It changes the structure of your tooth permanently. The removed part of the enamel can’t be restored, meaning you’ll need a dental veneer or crown to cover the trimmed part of your tooth. It is necessary to protect your teeth from bacteria, acids, and plaque that causes cavities and decay.

Uses of Dental Veneers

Veneers are primarily for cosmetic benefits. However, they also strengthen your teeth and protect them from further damage. These cosmetic imperfections can lead to cavities, decay, and even tooth loss if left untreated. Your dentist can recommend dental veneers to address many dental imperfections, such as:

  • Correct minor teeth misalignments
  • Protect worn-out teeth
  • Strengthens and protects a weakened tooth
  • Improve the appearance of a misshapen tooth
  • Brighten a discolored, stained, or yellowed tooth
  • Improve a gummy smile
  • Close minor teeth gaps

Benefits of Dental Veneers

Regardless of what you’re trying to solve, you’ll experience various benefits such as:

  • Veneers offer a natural appearance and enhance your smile
  • Veneers are easy to maintain and care for
  • Veneers are versatile. You can use them to correct numerous imperfections.
  • Veneers are strong and long-lasting
  • Veneers are easy, quick, and cost-effective to place
  • Veneers are minimally invasive

Tips for Caring for Your Veneers

Once you get your new dazzling smile, it’s your responsibility to keep it looking great for as long as possible. Fortunately, caring for dental veneers doesn’t require special care or investment. Use these tips to care for your veneers and mouth:

  • Brush and floss daily.
  • Schedule semi-annual dental checkups and cleanings.
  • Wear a mouthguard when playing sports and other physical activities.
  • Use a night guard if you have bruxism.
  • Avoid damaging habits like chewing nails or ice.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Ready to enhance your smile with dental veneers in Newburyport, MA? Contact Newburyport Family Dental to book your appointment with our cosmetic dentist today.

How Often Should You Have an Oral Cancer Screening?

Posted on by NewburypOrt_Admin

Research by the American Dental Association estimates that as many as 35,000 individuals are diagnosed with oral cancer yearly. From that number, about 25% of these patients die. Fortunately, you can prevent oral cancer from getting to life-threatening stages. Early detection and treatment significantly increase your chances of successful treatment and survival.

Regular oral cancer screenings are your best chance of catching oral cancer early before it progresses to severe and life-threatening stages. Typically, you should have at least one oral cancer screening a year. If you haven’t had an oral cancer screening recently, schedule an appointment with our dentist in Newburyport, MA.

What is Oral Cancer Screening?

Oral cancer affects any part of the mouth or oral cavity. Oral or mouth cancer can occur on the throat, tongue, gums, lips, inner cheeks, the floor of the mouth, and palate. In the early stages, oral cancer shows minimal signs. For instance, it can begin with minor mouth discomfort or a pimple. Most people will ignore such symptoms or treat them with over-the-counter medications.

Oral cancer usually shows notable symptoms when it has progressed to advanced stages. Oral cancer can be difficult to self-diagnose, making it necessary to have regular oral cancer screenings. During the screening, the dentist will inspect your mouth for signs of oral cancer.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

  • Persistent mouth pain
  • Persistent mouth sores that don’t heal
  • White or red patches of the gums, tonsils, tongue, or lining of the mouth
  • Persistent sore throat or a feeling there’s something stuck in the throat
  • Numbness of the tongue or mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • Jaw swelling
  • A lump or bump in the cheek, gums, or neck
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • Difficulty moving the tongue or jaw
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Unexplainable weight loss
  • Pain in the jaw or teeth
  • Changes in your voice

What to Expect During Oral Cancer Screening?

An oral cancer screening is a straightforward and pain-free procedure. The dentist will begin by reviewing your oral and overall medical history. Next, they use a mirror, light, and tongue depressor to examine your throat, tongue, palate, tongue, lips, cheeks, neck, tonsils, gums, and under the chin for abnormalities or unusual symptoms.

If anything unusual is detected, the dentist will recommend additional exams like:

  • Dental x-rays
  • A special light that reflects unusual tissues differently from normal tissue.
  • A toluidine blue dye that turns blue if abnormal tissues are found.
  • A combination of light and acetic acid solution
  • A biopsy entails removing tissues from the suspected area to examine them for oral cancer.

Contact our dentist for oral cancer screening in Newburyport.

How Often to Go for Oral Cancer Screening?

Even if you have excellent oral and overall health, there’s still a chance of developing oral cancer. Regular oral cancer screenings will allow you to review your health and provide peace of mind.

Generally, experts have different opinions on how often you should go for oral cancer screening. The standard recommendation for adults over 40 years is to be screened at least once yearly. Adults over 20 years but under 40 should have a screening every three years.

You may need more regular screenings if you’re at a greater risk of oral cancer. Most dentists include an oral cancer screening as part of routine dental exams and cleanings. Consult your dentist or doctor about how often you should have an oral cancer screening.

Common risk factors for oral cancer include:

  • Tobacco use
  • Prolonged sun exposure (lip cancer)
  • Heavy alcohol consumption (riskier when combined with tobacco use)
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Family history or prior diagnosis of oral cancer
  • Underlying oral issues

How to Prevent Oral Cancer

While there’s no proven way to prevent oral cancer, here are a few tips to reduce your risk of developing oral cavity cancer:

  • Avoid or limit tobacco use.
  • If you must take alcohol, take it in moderation.
  • Maintain excellent oral hygiene and habits.
  • Seek treatment for existing oral issues like gum disease.
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure to prevent skin cancer.
  • Schedule frequent dental assessments and cleanings.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Ready to schedule your next oral cancer screening? Or perhaps you need more information about oral cancer? Contact Newburyport Family Dental to book your appointment today.

What Is the Most Common Diabetic Dental Emergency?

Posted on by NewburypOrt_Admin

Being diabetic comes with numerous changes. Your diet is one of the critical things you have to control. Eating certain foods can spike your blood sugars significantly, leading to numerous complications across your body, including your teeth and gums. The good news is that controlling your diabetes will keep your mouth and entire body healthy and free of complications.

How can Diabetes Affect your Mouth?

Usually, diabetes happens when your blood sugars or glucose rise too high. Consequently, the high glucose levels in your body can increase the number of sugars in your saliva. It can encourage an overgrowth of the harmful bacteria in the mouth, increasing your cavities and gum disease risk. Fortunately, regular brushing and flossing can protect you from these issues.

Similarly, diabetes can affect your mouth by changing your saliva flow. Diabetes and some medications can trigger the salivary glands to produce less saliva. Enough saliva is essential to keep your mouth moist and wash away food debris and bacteria.

When saliva flow is less, your risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral issues increases; remember, untreated mouth problems can lead to complications like tooth loss, loose teeth, jawbone damage, and cancers. It will also likely make your diabetes worse.

Common Diabetic Dental Emergencies

When you have diabetes, your risk of developing dental complications is higher than someone without diabetes. Common emergency issues to watch out for include:

  • Dry mouth

As we’ve seen above, having diabetes leads to decreased saliva production and flow. Consequently, this increases your risk of dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. The side effects of a dry mouth include bad breath, sores, ulcers, tooth decay, and gum disease. Avoiding sugary items and hydrating well can prevent and eliminate dry mouth.

  • Oral thrush Infection

A fungal yeast infection, also called thrush, is a common complication in diabetics. You’re at a higher risk of developing oral thrush if you smoke, take antibiotics, or wear dentures. Since diabetes increases your blood sugars, it can increase the sugars in your saliva and reduce your saliva flow, leading to an overgrowth of yeast. Thrush will likely cause red and white patches on your tongue and cheeks. Sometimes they can turn into open sores.

  • Burning mouth syndrome

You’re at a higher risk of developing burning mouth syndrome from having a dry mouth, thrush, and certain medications. Your mouth will likely tingle, feel numb, or lose your ability to taste.

  • Slow healing

Diabetes slows down your body’s natural ability to heal. If you’ve undergone an oral procedure like tooth extraction, gum surgery, or dental implants, you may notice that your wounds take longer to heal. It can increase your risk of after-surgery complications like infections and severe pain, swelling, and bleeding. It will also take longer to recover from oral issues like gum disease.

When to See Your Dentist

Visit your doctor or contact our dentist in Newburyport, MA, if you have any dental complications discussed above. They will help you manage your diabetes and oral issues and restore your health.

How to Prevent Diabetic Dental Emergencies

Fortunately, there’s something you can do to prevent or manage diabetic dental emergencies, including:

  • Managing your diabetes helps keep your diabetes in check, and you’ll be less likely to develop dental complications like reduced saliva flow and slow wound healing. Monitor your blood sugars and follow your doctor’s instructions to maintain good oral health.
  • Brush and flossing daily can help remove food particles and bacteria from the mouth, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Use a soft-bristled brush and change it every three months. Abrasive brushing and oral products can irritate gums and lead to infections.
  • Schedule regular dental assessments are essential. Visiting your dentist for oral exams and cleanings will stabilize your diabetes and oral health.
  • Avoid tobacco products. Smoking significantly increases your risk of diabetes complications like dry mouth, gum disease, and tooth decay.

Schedule An Appointment Today

For more information about diabetic dental emergencies in Newburyport, MA, contact Newburyport Family Dental.

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