Children’s dental health matters in many ways, and from the time our first teeth come into old age, it represents a lifetime of care that dentists help patients achieve. Establishing good oral hygiene habits is important for children during their developmental years, as these habits represent their way of preventing the onset of diseases such as cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. For dentists that treat families and children, teaching good hygiene means that they can become part of their child’s life in meaningful ways.
Good oral hygiene habits aren’t just about establishing brushing and flossing each day, but it’s about making sure your child is an active participant in their dental care from early on. This means that the teaching process is just as important as the lesson itself, and by teaching them good hygiene habits, they learn more than just how to brush their teeth. Even children who show resentment toward the idea can pick up on brushing and flossing over time, and it all starts by making them active in the learning process.
But how does one best do that? Many pediatric and family dentists have their tips to help patients with their children’s oral health, but below, you’ll find some of our tips to help children gain the most out of their oral care:
All of these tips are just a starting point for giving children the opportunity to be more invested in their dental care. Good oral hygiene is only the start of making sure their teeth and gums are healthy, as all good dental care should be a positive experience. If you wish to learn more about your options for dental care and how to best care for your child’s dental health, then make sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist today. Your dentist is considered a great resource for the latest tips and tricks and for teaching children to develop good oral hygiene habits.
Many dental practices today are working hard to find their footing again after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. When the pandemic occurred, many dental practices globally had to shut down to prepare for the onset of sickness, economic stress, and other ailments, only allowing emergency care as their resource for treatment. As this challenging time has passed, newer challenges remain. As more dental practices are now working to regain appointments and make up for lost time, there have been some new advances in how practices work today that is starting to take hold.
The last few years have thrown a giant curve ball at the world, increasing overall costs and creating loads of pressure as the setting of a “new normal” took place. Many dental practices are attempting to recover and restore their practices, reviving themselves after the effects of the pandemic and its current aftershocks. However, this difficult time has made way for some new advancements in how practices operate today. These changes include:
These major shifts in practices have made many dentists look at their practices in a new light and drastically changed how they interact with their patients. Over time, however, dental practices still need to adapt to the ever-changing atmosphere of our medical environment, as more and more patients will continue to require dental care that retains their sense of comfort, which can be best done through education, regular appointments, and proper dental care.
Any traumatic injuries to your teeth are considered disastrous to your oral health, and getting emergency dental care in the meantime can help stabilize any broken teeth, injured gums, and other orofacial injuries present. But afterward, you may be left with an unhealthy smile that can leave long-lasting aesthetic damage to your smile. While many dentists out there can provide treatments you need to correct your teeth, dentists specializing in cosmetic dentistry can help address the physical damages and make your teeth look practically brand new in the process. Our smiles are important, so seeking out a cosmetic dentist can help improve not only your smile’s looks but also improve your speech, jaw function, and overall smile health.
Sometimes, getting corrective dental work done means that your smile will look healthy and be healthy. There are many health benefits to getting cosmetic dental treatment; not only will you have a dazzlingly beautiful smile, but other issues previously noted before, such as slightly crooked teeth, discoloration, and gummy smiles, can be improved upon. There are numerous options that your cosmetic dentist can provide to you, many of which can be used either non-invasively or minimally invasive to give you a smile you need.
During your session with your cosmetic dentist, your dentist will be able to detail any concerns that need to be addressed, have your teeth and gums examined, and provide an in-depth dental treatment guide that addresses all of your oral health concerns and aesthetic needs. During these initial appointments, your dentist may recommend a multitude of treatment options to better meet your needs, including:
If you have any oral health concerns, especially if you’ve recently been in an accident, then speaking with your dentist about your options is one of the best ways to improve your teeth’ appearance and health. Through speaking with your dentist, they can recommend treatment options that will ensure that your teeth look and feel great.
Many dentists often work within their specialty to provide patients with the treatments they need. For instance, Orthodontists in particular work with issues related to alignment, while cosmetic dentists work with aesthetic concerns. Both of these specialties focus on different areas of dental health, but sometimes these areas can intersect in interesting ways. One of those ways is the development of a new kind of orthodontics, called short-term orthodontics. Short-term orthodontics caters to a specific group of patients based on their dental health and works with minimally invasive methods to help align teeth while still providing a cosmetically pleasing appearance.
Short-term orthodontics works to provide cosmetically-driven solutions for patients with alignment issues and, in turn, offer a more patient-friendly experience. It specifically refers to how patients wanting straighter teeth can potentially see results within six months rather than years of waiting. These treatments focus on eliminating financial costs typically associated with orthodontic practices and address cosmetic concerns for an overall pleasing appearance.
To qualify for this type of treatment, patients need to have a relatively stable, healthy jaw and minimal signs of misalignment. Patients who qualify can be more cost-effective about their decisions for dental care and can move their teeth in the positions they need to maintain healthy tooth structure and facial symmetry. Short-term orthodontics appeals to alignment and aesthetics within the same treatment, offering a shorter time frame so patients can see results much quicker than originally expected.
Short-term orthodontics works within a specific set of orthodontic appliances to help patients gain the most out of their dental health. These treatment options can include:
Short-term orthodontics can be a great solution for those who do not wish to invest in traditional braces for treatment. For more information about these types of treatments and whether you qualify, speak with your orthodontist or cosmetic dentist to learn more. Always make sure to schedule an appointment ahead of time to keep up with your dental care!
For general and cosmetic dentists, complex dental restorations can be a tedious, intensive, but worthwhile process, as these treatments are vitally important for protecting your oral health from further damage and decay. When faced with multiple dental problems, complex restorations are a multi-tiered treatment mode that helps patients address all of those problems. These problems can include malocclusion, dental decay, periodontal disease, and missing teeth all within one sitting, and for dentists tackling these issues, it’s important to educate patients on their ability to provide them with the treatments they need to have a healthier, aesthetically pleasing smile.
Complex restorations, as stated in the title, are complex. It involves the cooperation of dentists from multiple specialties to complete, including endodontists, cosmetic dentists, and even periodontists, to provide patients with the treatments they need. This is because patients can have dental problems that compound and build upon one another, leading to cases of severe deterioration and tooth loss that requires significant amounts of care.
However, most of the causes for needing this type of treatment tend to result from other health conditions, which can include:
Because of these causes, severe deterioration and the complexity of the patient’s health problems determines what treatments and outcomes they will receive. It’s in these cases that treatments such as tooth extractions, dentures, gum disease treatment, implants, and other forms of restoration are used to provide care. By combining these treatments and heavy cooperation with dentists, we can restore your mouth back to health and provide you with a new, beautiful smile.
Dentists and orthodontists often help patients straighten their teeth using a variety of devices, with one of those devices being temporary anchorage devices. These devices are screw-like implants that are typically composed of titanium and are placed inside the mouth to provide a stable, fixed point to aid tooth movement. Anchorages are vital for tooth movement, and for patients wishing to learn more about how tooth movement works, it’s important to understand how these devices use force to correct a malocclusion.
Our tooth movement is our body’s natural response to sources of outside pressure placed on our teeth over a period of time. When pressure is applied, the bones and connective tissues respond by adapting to that new position. In traditional treatment, brackets, wires, and elastics are placed onto the teeth, and as time passes, the wires apply pressure onto your teeth towards an ideal bite.
However, in more complex cases of tooth misalignment, the brackets and wires used in traditional braces may not be enough to complete treatment. Temporary anchorage devices provide a form of anchorage that doesn’t necessarily rely on the teeth for pressure and movement. These devices are a form of bone anchorage that provides a faster form of tooth movement by replacing certain teeth with temporary mini-implants, which offer an alternative anchorage point for tooth movement.
Because TADS operate differently from traditional braces, they come with multiple benefits, especially for those who face more complex tooth problems. These benefits include:
TADs in their design are similar to any dental implant but don’t need to osseointegration process, meaning they can be used and then extracted with ease to prepare for other procedures, including crowns, veneers, and bridges. These devices require minimal effort to install and are pain-free for the patient. For more information about TADs, the best place to go to is your primary dentist for a consultation.
When people talk about digital technology, most people start thinking of AI-based devices, robotics, and maybe the latest smartphone. But digital technology applies to more than just business infrastructure or the devices found in your home. In the field of dentistry, digital technology has been making cosmetic and restorative treatments more accessible than ever before. Dental practices these days rely on technology to keep up with the latest treatment methods, but more importantly, these forms of technology have become so crucial that it’s ultimately revolutionized the way patients experience dental care now.
Digital technology shines at the dentist in ways you’d least expect it. The computers we use today help document patient information and medical history, allowing us to scan documents and submit them to the appropriate channels for insurance approval and treatment planning. Teledentistry, which relies on digital technology, helps communicate with patients about their appointments, initial patient forms, and other treatments available to them when scheduling dental checkups. Alongside that, devices like smartphones have made it easier than ever for people to communicate with their medical providers about their treatments, insurance coverage, and other facets of their medical care.
In the office, the amount of technology used in today’s practices is even more involved. For instance, dental imaging produces images through the use of intraoral scanners. These scanners create 3D images that can view tooth structures at any angle and can be easily transferred to other healthcare professionals. Alongside this, the dentist can clearly point out problem areas and discuss treatment approaches by providing more digital means of explanation. Digital technology in these cases truly shines when attempting to set expectations for treatment outcomes and expands on concepts related to mock-ups, demonstrations, and outcome previews for restorations.
Intraoral scanners are just one instance of how digital technology has influenced dentistry. Among these devices, 3D printers, irrigation systems, cone beam computerization, and other means all essentially improve when introduced to digital technology, and for patients, digital technology helps:
Innovation is the primary area of interest when it comes to dental technology, and through the constant introduction of newer systems and methods of treatment, dentists can better predict what patient results will ultimately look like and help patients make decisions with more confidence. For the latest in dental treatment, please speak with your dentist during your appointment to learn more about how they’re working on designing and improving your treatment plan.
One growing approach to dentistry is known as conservative dentistry. This new approach focuses on using minimally invasive treatment methods. These procedures ensure that you retain as much healthy tissue as possible throughout your treatment. General dentistry covers a broad range of treatments, including restoration and cosmetic care. Throughout the years, there have been innovations in these procedures that were fairly invasive. The tools used were unable to reduce the collateral damage inflicted on healthy tissue. Modern approaches have provided a greater range of options, including minimally invasive treatments.
Potentially one of the most important introductions to the field of dentistry is the dental laser. The dental laser has proven capable of improving the care provided by a significant margin. It provides a level of precision that’s unprecedented in previous tools of its type. Further, it’s incredibly versatile and able to replace many standard dental tools that were previously a treatment standard. Below we’re going to cover a few approaches that the dental laser has changed in general dentistry to provide more conservative options:
These are just an introduction to how the laser dental drill has vastly improved conservative approaches in general dentistry. However, other conservative approaches don’t include the use of the dental laser. Clear aligners are an orthodontic appliance that doesn’t require brackets or wires. Instead, the treatment is accomplished with a removal orthodontic tray that slowly adjusts your teeth.
An increasing number of dental offices are providing a growing range of conservative dental treatments. When possible, they will defer to these treatments to ensure the preservation of healthy dental tissue. The purpose of general dentistry is to maintain your teeth and improve your overall oral health. Conservative dental approaches go a long way to accomplishing this goal. Reach out for a consultation with your dentist today!
For general, family, and pediatric dentists, finding effective means for managing dental pain in children is a high priority to help provide a safe and even enjoyable experience. To alleviate feelings of anxiety and pain in children, many dentists choose a mixture of nitrous oxide as a form of dental anesthesia. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, sweet-smelling gas that’s inhaled and is then used as a sedation option. But is nitrous oxide safe for children? We’re here to explain what nitrous oxide does and how it is still used today to alleviate fears during dental treatment:
Nitrous oxide, also referred to by dentists as a conscious sedative, is considered one of the most used gaseous anesthetics in the world. At least 70% of dental practices use nitrous oxide as a sedative during procedures. This is because when the gas mixture is inhaled, it is absorbed into the lungs and eventually into the brain, where the blood transports it as free gas. Because of how easy it is transported by the blood, it can also be easily removed from the body due to its low solubility. For children in need of dental checkups, nitrous oxide provides a safe delivery method for sedation options, especially for children who have deep phobias of dentists or other conditions affecting their ability to receive treatment.
When under the influence of nitrous oxide, children receiving dental care are often more calm and relaxed throughout the procedure and can help assist with creating a more positive experience during their visit. In addition to this, nitrous oxide provides the following benefits:
Nitrous oxide has been in use since the late 1800s and has a long history of being safe and effective for dental treatments. It is considered the perfect antidote for those suffering from nervousness or anxiety. If you have any further questions about nitrous oxide or other sedative methods for treating dental anxiety, then the best resource you can go to is your local dentist for more information. By calling your dental provider, they can answer all your questions regarding sedation options for your children and other information about treatment options and costs.
Achieving a natural, attractive smile can take work, especially if you are self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth. Most dentists recommend restorative dentistry as a solution to provide that aesthetic appeal. However, this goal can present a real challenge for patients with multiple dental problems, especially if you have misaligned teeth alongside poor enamel strength, heavy discoloration, and excessive plaque buildup. Patients in this scenario may have difficulty choosing what problem to treat first. For dentists, this means deciding on whether or not a restorative treatment or orthodontic treatment will work best.
If your dentists recommend restorative dentistry, then know you’re in great hands, as restorative dentistry can provide numerous benefits to your oral health and can be an excellent way to prep your mouth for orthodontic treatment. Below, we’ll list some of those benefits and give you some ideas on how to best cooperate with your dental team for the smile you want.
For many people, orthodontic treatment prior to restorative treatment is necessary for some patients. Patients who often require orthodontics first tend to experience severely misaligned teeth that prevent dentists from performing restorative procedures. But some cases, restorative treatment can provide better benefits beforehand. Those faced with mild issues such as slightly crooked teeth, discoloration, and poor enamel strength can be corrected more directly with restoration. These benefits include:
Many advancements have been made to help combine certain specialties to increase treatment opportunities for patients. Restorative and orthodontic dentistry can go hand in hand to provide patients with a multi-faceted experience that treats both alignment and aesthetics. By visiting either your restorative or orthodontic dentist, you can expand your care and find ways to get the smile you desire most from your life. Through these efforts, patients can gain better care by cooperating with their dental team for the most optimal results.
