Dental abscesses may arise from trauma or decay reaching the pulp (nerve) of a tooth. When this happens, pain and/or swelling may arise. When bacteria enter a tooth through a crack or infected portion of tooth, a tooth becomes significantly infected. The bacteria travel through...
The formation of a cavity, also known as dental caries, is a very basic process. First, plaque forms on teeth by the absorption of salivary glycoproteins. Secondly, bacteria selectively appear on the plaque surface. Thirdly, bacteria grow and mature in the dental plaque. Once this happens, they begin...
For those of you who experience tooth sensitivity, there are a few basic things you should be aware of: Do not use firm or hard toothbrushes as your everyday toothbrush. Use soft bristles on a consistent basis. Do not load the entire toothbrush with toothpaste. A pea...
For those of you missing back teeth, it is functionally important to replace those teeth whenever possible. Back teeth support your jaw and help maintain the jaw’s vertical height. As back teeth are lost, more forces tend to get exerted on the teeth closer to the...
Saliva protects against dental caries by several means: Physical clearance: with a high flow rate of saliva, low viscosity results in a better cleaning affect on the teeth Buffering capacity: saliva buffers and helps neutralize acids that can cause cavities in teeth Post-eruptive enamel maturation allowing enamel to...
Regular dental cleanings and checkups have proven to be effective in providing optimal dental health. Allowing the dentist to detect a problem early on before it becomes too large, is the only way to minimize chair time with a dentist and save money. If your physician...
After a tooth is extracted, a hole remains where the root once was. Typically, 47% of bone resorbs after a tooth is extracted, in the first year. After that, there is a gradual dissipation of bone in the years to follow. Bone grafting with autogenous...
Typically, an individual requires an extraction of a tooth for two reasons: either a tooth is severely cracked, or a tooth has been significantly neglected. In either case, a tooth requires removal to prevent the spread of infection. When a tooth is extracted it may...