Although dental decay has been steadily decreasing in Canada for the past 40 years, dental fillings are still a very common and essential part of dentistry.
A dental filling is used to replace tooth structure lost due to cavity or a broken tooth. Your dentist has to remove the decay and prepare the tooth before placing the dental filling. Dental fillings allow for a damaged tooth to be returned to its original shape and function.
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“Gum disease” is an umbrella term that encompasses all conditions related to the gums. Gum disease begins with gingivitis and escalates to periodontitis.
These are typically both involuntary functions of the jaw that consist of the jaws biting together with force (clenching) and possibly moving back and forth (grinding.) Both clenching and grinding often occur at night but may occur during the day during stressful periods. If done during the day, it is crucial to notice when these habits are happening and try to stop them. If they occur at night, a nightguard may be useful to prevent damage to the teeth.
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Dental braces are used to straighten your teeth and align your bite to give you that perfect smile. Dental braces also help to improve the function of your teeth by aligning your bite, which reduces the chance of wear, chipping of teeth and gum recession. Dental braces can be tricky to clean, but it is crucial to make sure to keep your teeth and gums healthy while wearing dental braces.
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Both a soother and finger or thumb sucking both cause suction and put pressure on the jaw, which is fragile while still growing. These habits can both cause the palate to rise and the upper jaw to become narrow, causing issues with the bite and the way the teeth close together. Often these habits at an early age can lead to the need for braces later on. Try to remove the soother around two years old and stop the finger/thumb sucking habit as soon as you notice it.
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A nightguard is a mouth guard used overnight to protect your teeth, jawbones and jaw joints from the wear and tear from nighttime grinding and clenching. The official name for these habits is called “bruxism,” and it affects many more people than you would think. Bruxism is considered a sleep movement disorder. A nightguard is a transparent oral appliance that is made to fit your teeth. It may cover all or a portion of your teeth, depending on the type. They can also be fabricated to be worn on the top or bottom.
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A food trap can occur between two teeth that have a slightly loose or open area of contact. An opening or space between teeth allows food to become trapped while eating. Sometimes the food trap can be noticeable and annoying. Or it may go completely unnoticed, depending on the size and severity. Some food traps pose a risk to the health of the teeth and gums in the area if not addressed.
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Tooth decay is the penetration of bacteria and acids through microscopic tubules and channels into the underlying structure of the tooth. Cavities are not caused all at once, but slowly with time from certain risk factors. The first step of a cavity is the penetration into the enamel (outer layer) of the teeth. This stage is usually slow-moving because the enamel is extremely dense. At this time, the cavity can be halted and may not need to be fixed, with the right combination of proper oral hygiene and fluoride. Once the cavity can penetrate the underlying tooth structure called the dentin, it can move quickly as the dentin is less dense, and thus needs to be fixed with a filling.
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There are several different options for tooth whitening that you should consider before based on your needs and expected results. It is a good idea to first learn about types of teeth stains. There are two types of staining, internal staining and external staining. External staining is staining from darker pigmented foods and drinks (usually coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries, etc.). External stains also come from smoking, which causes an accumulation on the outer surface of the teeth. Fortunately, these stains can be removed during your dental hygiene cleanings. Internal staining are stains that have travelled to the inner layer of the teeth and changed the shade of the teeth. Thankfully, there are solutions for both of these types of staining.
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You may be wondering about the difference between having a regular check-up exam and a complete oral exam. During a check-up exam, your dentist will perform a check to monitor your oral health, address any concerns and have dental Xrays updated if they are out of date.
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