How Do I Know If I Have a Cavity?

What is the Purpose of Dental Crowns?

There are numerous tooth restoration options, such as dental crowns, for those living with obvious and embarrassing dental problems. Gone are the days when people had to remain unhappy with the appearance of unhealthy teeth. There is no oral problem too difficult to be addressed by modern cosmetic dentistry treatments. From a misaligned bite to broken teeth, there is a resolution for every issue. What is a dental crown? A dental crown, otherwise known as a cap, is a shell placed on top of the visible portion of a tooth. It can be constructed of many different materials, but these days, crowns are most often tooth-colored so they blend in nicely. When preparing a crown for a patient, an impression of the mouth is taken to understand how the teeth should fit together when a patient bites down. The tooth needing the crown is then filed down. The dentist takes one more impression to make sure that the crown is shaped correctly, fits snugly and doesn't stick up from the rest of the teeth. The dentist will use these impressions to create the dental crown. Most of the time, a crown can be provided by the dentist on the same day. Porcelain crowns offer much more for your oral health than the appearance of a beautiful smile; they can restore cracked and weakened teeth and give much-required protection. If a tooth is misshapen, broken or severely decayed, crowns are a fantastic option for giving the patient a permanent and beautiful smile. Crowns can restore the teeth by themselves or as part of dental implants or even partial dentures. They are incredibly durable, and if taken care of properly, will last for years to come. Most dentists place a crown before the tooth fractures or becomes infected; this could save a tooth from needing more invasive restorative dentistry treatments like extraction or a root canal. Why get a dental crown? Some of the benefits and reasons for getting a crown include to: * Cover cracks and chips * Restore structure to a broken tooth * Deliver protection and strength after a root canal * Cover a dental implant used to restore a missing tooth * Reinforce a dental bridge * Strengthen teeth * Rebuild teeth to their natural shape and size * Cover a dental implant * Protect a weak tooth from breaking or repair a broken tooth * Cover discolored teeth * Attach bridges * Hold and support a filling * Enhance appearance Oral hygiene maintenance Prevent the need for dental crowns by practicing good oral hygiene. Here are some tips: * Limit soda, coffee and alcohol * Drink tap water when possible * Monitor your low-carb lifestyle * Increase your calcium intake * Take a daily dose of vitamins C and D * Put out the cigarettes Tooth restoration procedures offer many benefits to patients. Dental crowns are a valuable, versatile treatment option. Enjoy the advantages of a dental crown! Contact your dentist today to find out more about these treatments or schedule a consultation with a dentist. Are you considering tooth restoration in the Redmond area? Get more tooth restoration information at https://www.dentistryinredmond.com.

Warning Signs of Oral Cancer

Since some of the warning signs associated with oral cancer can be confused with other less serious dental problems, it is important for patients to learn more about the warning signs of oral cancer. Understanding the signs can help you determine whether or not the symptoms you are currently experiencing are indeed cancer-related. You can only know for sure by making a dental appointment for a thorough mouth examination. About oral cancer Learning more about oral cancer will not only help in diagnosing the condition, but it can also help you understand how to prevent a cancer diagnosis in the future. Oral cancer can be located anywhere inside the mouth, e.g. lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, or hard palate. It can even develop in the tonsils and the back of the throat, making it more difficult to see. According to the American Cancer Society, around 53,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in 2019. In many cases, oral cancers can be treated and managed in their early stages when caught early. Routine dental checkups consist of checking for cancer warning signs in order to catch any signs early and prevent the progression of cancer cells. Warning signs of oral cancer The following is a list of some of the common warning signs associated with oral cancer. When a patient experiences any of these warning signs for many weeks, they need to be examined by a professional as soon as possible. The sooner oral cancer is diagnosed and treated, the higher the patient’s chances of experiencing successful treatment and results. Ongoing mouth pain When someone experiences pain in their mouth that does not go away or a sore throat that does not seem to heal, they need to be checked for oral cancer. White or red patches are present White or red patches that are present on the gums, tongue, and tonsils, or located anywhere in the lining of their mouth, is a sign that oral cancer may be present. Experiencing difficulty chewing and swallowing food Experiencing difficulty when chewing or swallowing food is a warning sign. This includes experiencing problems moving the tongue or swallowing because the tongue is numb in certain areas. Loose teeth, ongoing bad breath While many people associate having loose teeth and bad breath with gum disease, they are also warning signs of oral cancer. This is why it is essential for everyone to make regular dental appointments, as a dental professional will know whether or not these signs are associated with gum disease or oral cancer, both of which require immediate treatment. Learn more about oral cancer treatment If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of oral cancer, the only way you can be sure is by making an appointment with a dental professional. We will conduct a full and thorough examination, which will let you know exactly what is going on. Once your examination is complete, we will discuss the results and any necessary treatments. Whether or not a cancer diagnosis is made, these signs and symptoms should be evaluated and treated immediately. Our team can help you understand more about oral cancer and any symptoms you are experiencing or schedule a consultation appointment for a thorough evaluation. Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistryinredmond.com or call Essence of Dentistry at (425) 249-7789 for an appointment in our Redmond office.

Preventive Dental Procedures from a Family Dentist

Regular, preventive dental procedures from a family dentist are key to preventing oral diseases, maintaining healthy oral health, protecting your teeth from pain, and ensuring your smile can last a lifetime. Preventive dental procedures allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and locate any minor issues before they become painful, expensive issues that can have a long-term impact on your oral health. Like any other form of preventive care, dental procedures can help protect you and your body from harmful issues that can ultimately be avoided with a few simple steps. Your dentist will help ensure that you are receiving the necessary preventive procedures that are right for you.  What are preventive dental procedures?  Preventive dental care is the typical services that you think of when you imagine your annual appointment with your family dentist and include (but are not limited to) the following:  * Professional cleanings include a few steps but focus on a physical exam, removal of plaque and tartar, and thorough cleaning. The physical exam typically involves a small mirror that’s used to check the inside of your mouth for signs of inflamed gums and other potential issues. Next, the hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup using a scaler tool, which often creates a scraping sensation. Finally, you will receive a deep cleaning that involves a gritty toothpaste to deep clean and thorough flossing.  * Fluoride treatments are used to protect your teeth from cavities and prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is a mineral that helps your teeth stand up to acid and sugars present in our modern diets.  * X-Rays are a common step preventative dental procedure that allows your dentist to look beyond your mouth tissue to examine your teeth and jaw in feather depth, identifying oral issues that may not be visible to the naked eye.  Benefits of preventative dental procedures  Many benefits result from regular preventive oral care. As most dentists will share, this type of care can prevent the progression of minor issues to major, expensive procedures. Issues with oral hygiene are typically caught in these procedures and allow for your dentist to provide corrective behavior, often avoiding the negative impacts that can accompany. Additionally, dental insurance typically covers preventative care at little or no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. It is common for dental plans to cover two cleanings per year, ensuring that any issues can be caught quickly and monitored by your dentist every six months. A final benefit is the proper habits and oral hygiene that is encouraged by regular care.  Although many people avoid regular dental appointments, undergoing regular preventative care can ultimately protect you from painful, expensive procedures in the future - and the best part is, your dental insurance usually covers this treatment. Your family dentist is a great resource to ensure that you and your family are receiving the regular, preventive care that will keep your smile shining for many years to come!  Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistryinredmond.com or call Essence of Dentistry at 4252497789 for an appointment in our Redmond office.

Reasons for Tooth Extractions

An extraction is the removal of a tooth or teeth that are damaged beyond repair or never grew adequately in the first place. If our dentist recommends extracting one or more of your teeth, they will discuss your options and help you decide if it is correct. Extractions occur under local anesthesia and should not cause pain during the procedure. At Essence of Dentistry, the dentist will remove the affected tooth using forceps or gently rocking it back and forth until it pops out of the gum line. If you have multiple teeth removed at once, the dentist will use an elevator tool to loosen them from their sockets and then remove them.  WHEN IS EXTRACTION NECESSARY? Some patients need to have teeth extracted to restore their oral health. When a tooth is severely decayed or has an infection that has spread to the pulp of the tooth, the tooth cannot be restored and must be pulled. Likewise, wisdom teeth are often removed because they cannot emerge from the gums properly and become impacted. This can cause pain and other complications. Wisdom teeth can crowd other teeth and cause alignment issues if they aren’t removed. The tooth extraction procedure is performed under a local anesthetic and is comfortable for the patient. Patients may also require tooth extraction if they have a traumatic injury that affects the teeth or are involved in some accident where the teeth are damaged. In these cases, the dentist will perform the procedure as soon as possible to reduce the damage to the teeth and prevent infection. Once the teeth have been repaired, the patient can schedule another appointment to replace their missing teeth. Tooth extractions are also performed as a part of routine dental care when a patient suffers from overcrowding in the mouth.  THE DENTAL EXTRACTIONS PROCEDURE First, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area and prevent pain. Next, they will grasp the tooth with forceps and gently rock it back and forth until it is loose enough to pull out from the socket. Sometimes, a small amount of rocking will be enough to dislodge the tooth; in other cases, the dentist may need to apply gentle pressure with the forceps and wiggle the tooth from side to side until it slides out. Once the tooth is removed, the dentist may place a piece of gauze over the empty tooth socket and apply firm pressure to control any bleeding. They may provide you with a prescription or over-the-counter pain medication after your procedure. If you’ve noticed symptoms of an impacted tooth, such as a toothache that won’t go away or facial swelling, contact Essence of Dentistry at 16300 Redmond Way #200, Redmond, WA 98052, or call (425) 249-7789. At your appointment, we will thoroughly examine whether an extraction is necessary and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

How a Family Dentist Uses Dental Bonding

If you have damaged teeth, you can use a process called dental bonding to fix them. This is a quick, easy, and cheap way to repair your damaged teeth. Your family dentist can perform the procedure and reinvigorate your smile! Who needs dental bonding? Anyone suffering from minor cosmetic damage is a candidate, including people whose teeth are chipped, cracked, or misshapen. Minor decay and discoloration are fixable with it, as well. If tooth damage is more severe and the tooth's structural integrity is an issue, then this is probably not a viable solution. If you are unsure whether this is an option for you, you should talk with your dentist about your concerns. What are the pros and cons of the procedure? The most obvious benefit is that the cosmetic damage to your teeth will be fixed. You will be able to smile with confidence without worrying about gaps or cracks. Another benefit is the ease of the procedure. It takes just one quick trip to the dentist! You also most likely do not need to undergo anesthesia; therefore, your judgment will not be impaired, and you can even drive yourself home afterward. One issue is their integrity. They will eventually break and need to be replaced, and they are not likely to last more than ten years. However, you can take care of them with proper oral hygiene and not eat ice or hard foods. This will allow them to last longer. How does the procedure work? It is important to educate yourself on how the dental bonding procedure works. First, your dentist will determine the exact shade of your teeth so that the bonding resin matches them. Then, the dentist will prepare your teeth for the resin and mold the resin onto them in the desired shape. The resin will act as part of your teeth. Therefore, it can be used to reshape or cover your teeth and fill in gaps and cracks. After this, your dentist will use UV light to harden it. Lastly, they will polish the resin to remove imperfections and to make it match your teeth better. How to care for your teeth afterward For 48 hours after your appointment, it is a good idea to avoid coffee or other liquids that might stain them. It is also recommended to minimize coffee and smoking long-term, as they can also become stained over time. You should avoid chewing on ice and hard items or foods, as the bondings are not as durable as your natural teeth. This means you might have to try to break some habits, such as chewing on pencils or your fingernails. Regular dental care is just as important as before; you should brush your teeth and floss regularly to prevent bacterial build-up and plaque formation. You should continue with regular dental check-ups, as well. It is advisable to see a dentist for a cleaning every six months. If you follow these guidelines, your new dental appliances should last a long time! Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistryinredmond.com or call Essence of Dentistry at 4252497789 for an appointment in our Redmond office.