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Showing posts from July, 2018

Root canal treatment

Root canal therapy is an important treatment that can save a tooth with a diseased nerve and which in the past would probably have needed to be removed. Inside each tooth is the ‘pulp’ which runs like a thread down through the root and provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth. It is the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. If the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. Both of these problems can let bacteria enter the pulp. So, if you don’t remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. After the dentist – or endodontist (a dentist who specializes in problems of the pulp) – removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger. Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure involving one to three visits with little or no discomfort.

Your options if you have many missing or damaged teeth

People who have not followed adequate dental care for some years may have already lost most of their teeth and feel a little hopeless. Sometimes they ask a dentist to remove the remaining teeth as they are often broken and have deep cavities. It’s true that, sometimes, removal of the remaining teeth and replacing them with full dentures is the only option. But more often there are other options available. Some or all of the remaining teeth could be repaired and used in conjunction with a partial denture. While a full denture replaces all of the teeth on the upper or lower jaw, a partial denture replaces some of the teeth. If only a few weak teeth remain on the upper jaw, it might be preferable to have them extracted and a full upper denture made. Full upper dentures can be more secure than lower ones as the upper denture gets added stability from the palate and is not easily dislodged by the tongue. If only a few teeth remain on the lower jaw, however, the dentist will usu

How cancer treatment can affect your oral health

More than 1 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year and many of them will develop problems with their oral health as a result of their cancer treatment. While it’s natural that they’ll be focused on their cancer treatment, it’s important not to overlook the importance of a dental examination as part of the process of maintaining overall health. For example, radiation therapy of the head and neck area may lead to certain complications such as dry mouth, sensitive lesions in the oral cavity, hypersensitive teeth, rapid tooth decay and difficulty swallowing. Chemotherapy and other medication can also have significant effects in the mouth. To help prevent, minimize and manage such problems, the dentist and oncologist can work together – before and during cancer treatment. Many medications lead to dry mouth, which can lead to a higher risk of gum disease and other problems. The dentist may therefore recommend a saliva replacement, an artificial saliva that is availa

Caring for people who have special needs

People at any age can have a condition that makes it difficult for them to look after their own dental health. This could affect people who suffer from a wide range of conditons such as stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, mental retardation, Down syndrome, genetic disorders, Alzheimer’s disease or arthritis. However, people in all of these categories have the same dental needs as everyone else – they need daily brushing and flossing, regular dental visits and a balanced diet. There are some steps caregivers can take to make it easier to look after people in those categories. If the person is uncooperative or uncontrollable, try to explain what you are about to do and schedule the task for a time of day when they are rested. Move in a calm, slow, reassuring manner to avoid startling them. Give praise and encourage them when they help themselves. Support the person’s head, and take special care to prevent choking or gagging when the head is tilted back. If the

Periodontal disease: what it is and how to avoid it

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. There is a very slight gap (called a sulcus) between the tooth and the gum. Periodontal diseases attack this gap and cause a breakdown in the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues. When the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket and, as the disease gets more severe, the pocket usually gets deeper. The two major stages of periodontal disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. Gingivitis may lead to periodontitis, which is a more serious, destructive form of periodontal disease. There are several factors that have been shown to increase the risk of developing periodontal disease: – Systemic diseases such as diabetes – Some types of medication – Crooked teeth – Bridges that no longer fit properly – Fillings that have become defective – Smoking – Pregnancy And there are a number o