How To Find A Dentist: A Helpful Guide

How To Find A Dentist: A Helpful Guide

Taking care of your body consists of many different things. You need certain things to keep your body in good shape. You should eat healthy, exercise, sleep, and do many other things. Along with healthy habits, you also want to visit the dentist on a regular basis. This is very important and may be among the most important steps you can take to living a healthy lifestyle. There are many different reasons why taking time to find a dentist and then visit him or her on a regular basis is important.

family-dentist

One thing you can do to help you find a reputable family dentist is to ask family or friends. By taking time to talk with those who you know and trust, you can get information about the dentists in your area. Be sure to ask any questions that you have so you can gain the information that you desire.

Another option is to do a search online. You can visit the World Wide Web and look for the dentists in your area. As you do this, be sure to read about the dental professionals, their expertise, any office information, along with any special services or terms they offer. For instance, you may work a lot and want to find a dentist that offers late or weekend appointments. Be sure to look at this when you are doing your research to find a dentist.

You can also look online to find reviews left by patients about dentists you are considering.

Many third party websites encourage dental patients to leave reviews so others will know what to expect if they choose to use the dentist for their needs.

Insurance is another important consideration. As you look to find a dentist in your area, you will want to learn about the insurances they accept. If you plan to use your dental insurance, you will want to make sure that the new dentist you choose to use accepts the type you have. You can find this out by contacting the dental office, looking at their website, or contacting your dental insurance provider. This is an important step to take in your search for a new dentist.

Once you find a dentist that you would like to use for your dental care, you should contact them for an appointment. This initial appointment may be just a time for you to meet the dentist, or you may actually have an exam. Talk with the receptionist when you make the appointment to learn what to expect when you show up for your first appointment with the new dentist.

In conclusion, visiting your dentist on a regular basis is crucial to good health.

If you don’t have a dentist that you use on a regularly, you will want to find a new one. You can do just that by following the tips shared here.

Receding Gums – Stopping the Progression and Treatment – Early Signs

Receding gum is a condition where the roots of the teeth become exposed, and can lead to increased risks of decay and even loss of teeth if not treated. Gum tissue is a layer of skin over the bone tissue of the upper and lower jaw. When the gums recede, there are gaps formed between the gum line and teeth, and this makes it easier for disease-causing bacteria to build up. This is a common dental problem and many people don’t know when they have it because it occurs gradually. The first sign of receding gums is tooth sensitivity or the tooth looking a little longer than usual. A thorough dental exam will reveal issues that may need to be addressed.

 

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If you suspect your gums have started receding, make an effort of seeing a dentist as soon as possible. Modern dentistry and oral hygiene have made it easier to treat receding gums than in the past. It is easier to prevent and treat this condition. Why do gums recede and how can the progression be stopped?

Periodontal Diseases; they can destroy gum tissues and the supporting bone holding the teeth in place. Gum disease is the number one cause or receding gum.

Genes: There are people who are more likely to get this condition. A number of studies have shown about a third of the population are predisposed to gum disease even if they practice oral hygiene.

Aggressive tooth brushing: If the teeth are brushed too hard or in the wrong way, the enamel of the teeth can be forced to wear away and cause receding gums. It is important to learn the right way to brush teeth. It is also important to teach your kids the right way to brush the teeth to prevent receding gums in the future.

Poor dental health: poor dental health will play a big part in gum recession. Inadequate brushing, rinsing, flossing, and not using antibacterial mouthwash can make it easier for plaque to turn into tartar (calculus) which can lead to gum recession. The calculus can only be removed by professional dental cleaning. You need to brush your teeth regularly and use an antibacterial mouthwash. You also need to make an appointment for dental cleaning to remove tartar.

Tobacco: tobacco has been shown to cause gum recession. You need to stop using tobacco products to stop the progression of gum recession. See a dentist to remove the plaque.

Grinding and Clenching of teeth: grinding or clenching can put a lot of force on the teeth and can cause gum recession. If you have this condition, see a dentist for treatment of grinding and clenching of teeth. There are some treatment options you can try out at home and see if it works.

Hormonal Change: the fluctuation hormone levels in females during their lifetime make the gums more vulnerable and sensitive.
The first step to treating the condition is determining the factors that contribute to receding gums.

 

 

There are different dental treatment options that can be used to treat the condition.

Deep Cleaning

A dentist can use special tools to remove the plaque and tartar buildup on the roots where the recession is taking place, a procedure referred to as root planning.

Gum Grafting

This is the process of removing your healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth (palate) or gum grafting material to replace the missing gum tissue. The dentist can recommend a periodontist or dental specialist dealing with gum tissue and supporting bone for the surgical procedure.

Regeneration

In severe cases of receding gums, the bone may be destroyed.

Advancement in dentistry has allowed the regeneration of bone and tissue where there is bone loss.

Increased Risk of Gum Disease and Smoking

Things That Increase The Risk Of Gum Disease.

Gum disease is a name that refers to the inflammation of the gum line that may become severe and end up affecting the bone that keeps the teeth in place. Gum disease comes in three phases namely gingivitis, periodontitis and severe periodontitis. It is important to know the causes and treatments of this disease so that you can prevent it if you don’t have it or treat it if you are already suffering from it. Note that this illness can be painless at times and you should be careful and notice any symptoms that may indicate the presence of the disease.

The common signs and symptoms are:

• Swollen gums.
• Bleeding gums.
• Receding gums.
• Persistent bad breath.
• Pus around the teeth and gums.
• Loose teeth.

 

Gum disease is evidently caused by the kinds of foodstuffs we eat and our negligence in taking care of our oral health. It is fundamental to steer away from the risk factors and ensure our gums remain healthy.

 

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Here are some of the things that increase our risk of getting gum disease:

Age

Research done over the years suggests that older people are more susceptible to getting gum disease. As we grow older, we should be more attentive to our oral health and engage in all the actions that help keep them healthy.

Smoking

Smoking tobacco has been continually linked with several health conditions ranging from cancer, lung disease to heart disease. Gum disease is among the list of things caused by smoking tobacco. This can be owed to the stains that accumulate on the teeth due to smoking tobacco. These stains may develop into bacteria and lead to gum disease.

Genetics

It has been established that some people are genetically vulnerable to gum disease. This can be determined by finding out about your family history with this disease. If your parents suffered from the disease for a long time, you might be vulnerable. Such genetic risks should be identified early enough and the necessary intervention measures taken before the illness starts setting in.

Stress

This is a mental issue that affects the general well-being of the human body. Stress is one of the causes of gum disease as it reduces the ability of the human body to fight off infections. Keep off from things that will stress you and allow the body to fight off all the infections that may lead to gum disease.

Medications

It is widely known that some medications have serious side effects. Some of them may affect your oral health, and you need to inform your dentist about any medicine you have been taking.

Grinding Teeth

The teeth are very sensitive body parts, and things such as grinding should be avoided. Natural grinding can be attributed to having crooked teeth. Crooked teeth always grind against each other when you eat, and this increases the risk of getting gum disease. This kind of teeth also pose other dangers to you oral health by creating spaces that food particles get stuck in and cannot be cleaned by normal brushing of the teeth.

Poor Nutrition

A proper diet is vital in maintaining good oral health. A poor diet compromises the body’s immune system, and this makes it hard for it to fight off infections. It is therefore vital for you to eat a healthy diet and boost your immune system.

It has been seen that people are at a risk of getting gum disease when they neglect a couple of things. Oral health is significant and you need to be attentive to all the things required to uphold the good health of this area of the body.

Dental Genetics and Gum Disease

Can Certain Genes Cause Gum Disease

Genetic Dental Abnormalities

Dental abnormalities can be caused by a range of different factors including genetics. There are many different types of genetic dental abnormalities that you should know about. These abnormalities can be caused by complex genetic disorders or from a spontaneous genetic mutation. Let me start by saying the first defense is simply caring for your teeth.

Cleft Palate And Lip

One of the most common genetic dental abnormalities is the cleft palate and lip. The cleft is caused when the lip or palate fusion was incomplete and could be part of a hereditary syndrome. If you have a family history of cleft palates the chances of inheriting this abnormality will increase.

A cleft lip is seen more often among the Asian community and can appear with or without a cleft palate. Boys will have a cleft lip more often than girls and it will usually appear on one side only. The most common side for this to appear is the left. A typical patient who has a cleft palate will have a defect in the roof of the palate along with an opening into the nasal cavity.

Supernumerary Teeth

Another genetic dental abnormality is supernumerary teeth which is extra permanent teeth. These extra teeth may or may not erupt through the gums. Many of the teeth will be abnormally shaped and can appear anywhere in the mouth. The most common supernumerary teeth will be small with a conical crown and a short root. These teeth will generally be located between the maxillary central incisors. It is also common to have extra teeth in the upper molar area.

There are believed to be a number of factors which contribute to extra teeth. However, heredity is believed to be one of the primary causes as this is more common in relatives of affected children than in the general population. It is rare for multiple extra teeth to be present when there is no other associated disease.

Anodontia And Hypodontia

Anodontia is a hereditary condition which is also known as congenitally missing teeth. This will result in one or more of the permanent teeth not developing, but primary or baby teeth will have erupted. This condition could involve the total absence of teeth or the absence of some teeth only.

Hypodontia is different as it is when the bone development of the jaws are altered. This will generally result in problems with spacing between the teeth. This condition is more common in men and will vary among the population.

Malocclusion

Malocclusion which is also known as a bad bite is caused by a number of factors. This could be due to crowding in the mouth from extra teeth, missing teeth or a jaw which is out of alignment. Most people with malocclusions will inherit this genetic abnormality. It can also lead to TMJ or temporomandibular jaw disorder which causes problems with speaking and chewing. The treatment of this abnormality will be to restore normal function to the mouth and to eliminate any pain which the person is suffering from.

Gingival Fibromatosis

Another hereditary dental condition that you need to be aware of is gingival fibromatosis. This is a condition where the gum tissue is overgrown. The characteristics of this condition are enlarged gum tissue which is often associated with the overproduction of collagen.

There are many different genetic dental abnormalities that you should know about. Some of these abnormalities are more serious than others and will require treatment to remedy them. If you suspect that you have a dental problem caused by a genetic abnormality, you should speak to your dentist as soon as possible and undergo an examination. The dentist will generally ask for a medical history as well as a family dental history.