Dental Health: Seeing a Dentist after Years of Neglect

If you've been suffering from serious tooth pain or unexplained sensitivity lately, you may be experiencing the unpleasant sensations that can come from an infection of your tooth's root. Cavities, gum disease, and trauma to your face or jaw can all result in damage to your tooth enamel, allowing potentially harmful bacteria to infiltrate the delicate inner parts of your tooth. Left untreated, an infected tooth root can ultimately lead to the loss of your tooth and the erosion of your supporting bone structure.

Although it's possible to bleach your teeth at home effectively, you should be aware of the common mistakes people make when bleaching their teeth. Here are a few examples of those mistakes. Leaving the Whitener Too Long on Your Teeth If you are whitening your teeth at home, then you should follow the directions for use of your chosen bleaching agent to the letter. For example, if you are told to leave the bleach on your teeth for half an hour, which is exactly what you should do.

When your tooth is undergoing extensive decay, you may be given two options: root canal or extraction. A root canal is more expensive than a tooth extraction, but for many reasons, you should consider a root canal over an extraction. Why You Need a Root Canal Root canals are used to rescue teeth that are diseased, damaged or have dead pulp. If you crack your tooth or if you are suffering from a deep cavity, bacteria can reach your root pulp and cause an infection.

Crowns are commonly used by dentists to repair damaged teeth. It's important that crowns are properly maintained so that they last as long as possible and allow patients to avoid discomfort. The following are six mistakes it's important to avoid when you have dental crowns placed on your teeth to avoid problems. 1. Neglecting good oral hygiene habits Regular brushings are especially important if you have crowns because they help to keep debris away from the crown and prevent bacterial growth.

If you only have a few of your natural teeth remaining, your dentist may have already prescribed dentures. A denture is a set of false teeth.  If all the teeth are missing from your upper or a lower jaw, a full set of dentures is prescribed. However, if you still have some natural teeth in a palate, a partial denture is used.  The teeth of a denture are typically made of acrylic resin and are attached to a metal base.

There can be times when it is quite obvious that a tooth in your mouth needs a root canal, but there are other times when the signs are not quite as apparent. If you need a root canal, you may or may not feel pain near this tooth, but your dentist can look for signs that will help him or her determine if this procedure is necessary. Here are some of the methods your dentist will use to determine if your tooth needs a root canal procedure.

Veneers are used in cosmetic dentistry to cover chips and discolored teeth. They can also be used to make a tooth longer or alter its shape. You might even get veneers to close a gap in your front teeth. Veneers can last for several years if you practice good oral hygiene. You'll want to get the longest life from your veneers and keep them looking their best so they blend in with your natural teeth.

Having new veneers is something that is fun and exciting. Your teeth are now the shape and color that you'd like them to be, and you are likely more confident with your smile than ever before. Caring for your veneers is a bit different than caring for regular teeth though, so it is important that you are ready for these changes. Here are three tips for caring for your veneers.