Why Replace Missing Teeth?
When a tooth is missing, adjoining teeth tend to shift into the available space. The opposing tooth will also begin to grow up or down into that space as well (termed ‘hypereruption’). These movements will cause significant bite problems and create an unflattering appearance. They can also result in damage to these adjoining and opposing teeth but making them much more susceptible to cracking (increased pressure on the teeth from carrying the load of the missing one), decay (root exposure on drifting teeth), and periodontal disease (increased pocketing around unstable teeth). These issues often lead to the loss of more teeth.
Replace your missing teeth with an implant, bridge or removable partial denture and you will prevent these problems and keep your smile for a lifetime.
Cosmetic Dentistry- What Is It?
Cosmetic Dentistry is for people who not only want healthy teeth and gums but beautiful smiles that make them look and feel their best. It used to be that cosmetic dentistry was only for celebrities. But not any more. It’s now surprisingly affordable to change your smile.
What can cosmetic dentistry do for you? If your teeth are yellow, stained or dull looking you can have them whitened, quickly and painlessly. Cracked, chipped or misshapen teeth can be restored to their natural beauty with bondings or veneers. Silver fillings can be replaced with tooth colored restorations that contain no mercury or metals. And metal crowns or porcelain crowns with black lines can be replaced with strong, long lasting metal free crowns that look and function just like natural teeth.
Change your smile and change your life! Ask us about cosmetic dentistry.
Mention this blog for a COMPLIMENTARY cosmetic consultation.
Are You Under A Lot Of Stress? You May Have TMJ Problems.
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is referred to as the ‘jaw joint.’ You use this joint to talk, chew and yawn. But stress can cause problems with this joint. Clenching or grinding your teeth can lead to pain or stiffness in the joint. You may also experience some clicking, popping, or grating noises when opening or closing your mouth. This may lead to problems with chewing, and even to tension headaches and migraines. People with TMJ problems also put a great deal of stress on the teeth, causing cracks on the teeth, fractured teeth and dental work, and very worn down teeth. Sensitivity often results, and the teeth will be much more susecptible to the need for root canal therapy.
If any of this sounds familiar, please see Dr. Lembree for a TMJ evaluation. If you indeed have TMJ, you may need a custom- fit ‘bite splint’ that goes over your lower teeth and is worn at night. It is quite comfortable, and relieves symptoms quickly. Other ways of dealing with TMJ include a bite analysis/ adjustment, eating softer foods and ceasing gum-chewing, anti-inflammatory pain medicines, moist heat on the jaw joint area, relaxation techniques, and in a small percent of cases, surgery in the jaw joint.
As I said before, stress is a large contributor to TMJ problems, but if you have had braces in the past, a history of arthritis, crowded teeth, your wisdom teeth extracted, or trauma to the head area, you may be more susceptible than usual.
Cavity Prevention
I thought a good way to start my new blog would be to go over some guidelines for cavity prevention.
- Reduce the FREQUENCY of sweets. It’s not the quantity of sweets, but the amount of time the sugar is on your teeth.
- Brush and floss thoroughly, 1-2 times a day.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Rinse with a fluoride rinse for 60 seconds 1-2 times a day (not for children under 6.) One of these rinses should be immediately before sleep. Do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after rinsing. A couple good rinses are: ACT (best for kids), and Listerine with fluoride (the purple one).
- Chew sugar-free gum, one with Xylitol is best.
- See your dentist to have any existing cavities removed. Cavities are an infection, and as long as the cavity causing bacteria is in your mouth, you will continue to get more of them.
- Replace any old, leaky, defective fillings and crowns, and fix any ‘food traps’ between the teeth.
Dr. Lembree’s new blog!
This is the blog for me, Dr. Deric A. Lembree. I’m a dentist in Livonia, Michigan.