Are you deciding between dentures and dental implants near Bel Air, MD ? You are not alone. Dentists report that almost 70% of American adults between 35 and 44 have at least one missing tooth, and the numbers only increase with age. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry now offers many different options for restoring your smile, including dental implants and dentures. Continue reading to learn more.

Bone Health
The first step in deciding between dental implants and dentures involves asking your dentist to evaluate your jaw bone. When you schedule a consultation with your dental clinic, your dentist will determine whether you have enough healthy bone to support dental implants. When you lose teeth, the bone beneath naturally deteriorates, because it has no tooth to support. However, for dental implants to successfully adhere to the jaw, there must be sufficient healthy bone to support them.

Permanent Solution
Dental implants are ideal for individuals who want a permanent solution to missing teeth. Because they fuse directly with the jawbone, dental implants last a lifetime. Additionally, the bridge or dental crowns function just like normal teeth. However, some patients prefer the efficiency and ease of dentures. Dentures do not require surgery and can often be created in a single day, so you can leave your dentist with a full set of teeth. Additionally, dentures can be easily removed and require little at-home care.

Cosmetic Appearance
When you decide between dentures and dental implants, you may also want to consider how much importance you place on your smile’s cosmetic appearance. Both dentures and dental implants are much more natural looking today than ever before. However, dental implants and crowns offer an aesthetic advantage over dentures, because they look just like natural teeth. If having a full set of beautiful teeth is important to you, be sure to consider dental implants.

If you have an abscessed tooth, it means that the bulb of your tooth is infected. A pocket of puss forms under the tooth and is usually quite painful. The infection is caused by advanced gum disease in Bel Air or tooth decay and the infected portion of the abscessed tooth will need to be removed. To treat an abscessed tooth, a dentist in Bel Air will perform a root canal .

Watch this video to learn more about treating an abscessed tooth and what causes the infection to happen. In addition to tooth decay, a cracked tooth can also cause an abscessed tooth. A root canal is when a dentist removes the infected portion of the tooth and seals the tooth with a crown.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Initially, periodontal disease in Bel Air can be difficult to detect until it has advanced. In the early stages of gum disease , usually referred to as gingivitis, most people may not notice any signs at all. This is why it is so important to regularly visit a dentist to monitor signs of gum disease. Luckily, gum disease is easy to prevent. Since it is caused by bacteria, it is simply a matter of reducing the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Keep reading for tips on gum disease prevention.

Routinely Brush and Floss
A dental hygiene routine is key to preventing gum disease. At a minimum, you should brush your teeth twice a day and floss teeth once a day. For the best results, brush and floss after each meal. This will help eliminate food particles that can get stuck in between teeth and cause bacteria to grow. It is important to use a toothbrush with different lengths of bristles to ensure that all surface area of each tooth is reached. Using toothpaste with fluoride helps protect your mouth from gum disease. When flossing, be sure to get in between each tooth, especially the back molars. In addition to brushing and flossing, a mouthwash can help rinse away pieces of food and also freshen your breath.

Regularly Visit the Dentist
No oral health care routine is complete without annual visits to the dentist. Most dentists recommend regular visits every six months. During a dental exam, a dental hygienist will perform a teeth cleaning that is able to remove plaque and tartar that you cannot clean off at home. Once plaque hardens, it forms tartar, which can lead to gum disease. Regular dental cleanings help prevent tartar buildup. A dentist will likely take x-rays to detect any abnormalities in your mouth. By regularly visiting your dentist, you can also notify them of any new pain or other problems. Early detection of problems can prevent major problems down the road and also help you avoid the need to see an emergency dentist.

A dental bridge is just what it sounds like, as it bridges the gap between two teeth. If you are missing a tooth, dentists in Bel Air will likely recommend a fixed bridge. The bridge itself is composed of a prosthetic tooth that rests in the gap and is attached to two crowns that sit on top of the adjoining teeth. In many cases, the surrounding teeth are modified so that the dental crown will securely fit on top of the existing tooth. Dentists may recommend a bridge over a dental implant since it is a quicker form of treatment to replace a missing tooth.

The purpose of the fixed bridge is to prevent any issues with your remaining teeth and gums following the loss of a tooth. When a tooth is missing, teeth can drift towards the gap. This can create alignment issues. Additionally, when a tooth is missing, the bone can begin to deteriorate where the tooth once was. A dentist can place a bridge to help keep your bone and jaw structure in tact.

Teenagers and adults have many options for getting a straighter smile. While braces in Bel Air are a common choice, more and more patients are asking their dentists about Invisalign. Invisalign offers a number of benefits that traditional braces cannot match. This article will highlight just some of the reasons you should pick Invisalign to achieve your

perfect smile.

The Aligner Trays Can Be Removed
Unlike traditional braces, which do not come off for the entire duration of treatment, Invisalign aligner trays do not need to be worn 24 hours each day. Since you can remove the trays at mealtimes, it means that Invisalign has no food restrictions. You do not have to make any modifications to your diet or worry about food getting stuck in between wires and brackets. Instead, trays can simply be removed and put back once mealtime is over. This also means that your dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing can continue normally throughout your orthodontic treatment, leaving you less susceptible to gum disease.

They Are Virtually Invisible
Many adults are hesitant to seek orthodontic treatment for crooked teeth, as they are worried about their appearance. Since Invisalign aligner trays are made from a clear plastic, and are custom made to fit directly over your teeth, they are virtually invisible. In fact, most people will not even know you are wearing Invisalign—unless you tell them.

It is Effective
Invisalign works by utilizing a series of custom made aligner trays. These trays are made to match the treatment plan predetermined by your orthodontist to map out all movement of your teeth. The trays are swapped out every couple of weeks, meaning you can see the changes to the alignment of your teeth throughout treatment. In most cases, treatment with Invisalign accomplishes desired results in less time than traditional braces.

It is More Comfortable
One of the biggest complaints about traditional braces is that they can be uncomfortable, and at times even painful. Invisalign is comfortable to wear, and most of the time, you won’t even notice the aligner trays are there!

Do hot, cold, and sweet foods send an unwelcome jolt through your mouth? If so, you could be suffering from sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the gums retract, exposing the dentin, which provides a straight path to the nerves in your teeth. Extreme temperatures and high-sugar foods trigger those nerves and cause a searing, painful sensation. Tooth sensitivity isn’t a dental health problem in itself but is rather a symptom that should be evaluated by your dentist if it persists. While some cases of sensitivity are easily addressed by changing toothbrushes, other cases are associated with decay and disease that should be treated by your dentist. Learn more about tooth sensitivity in this infographic from Your Smile . Our dentist in Bel Air, MD provides comprehensive oral health care, including dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and tooth extraction. Contact us to set up an appointment, and please share this information with your friends and family.

If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant soon, you can expect many changes in your life. In addition to making room in your home for your new family member, you’ll be making many appointments to make sure your health is in good order. This includes calling your dentist in Bel Air, as pregnancy can cause changes in your oral health. Watch this video to learn more about how your dentist can help you maintain good oral health during pregnancy .

As your dentist can tell you, pregnant women may notice that their gums are more sensitive or bleed more easily during the first few months of pregnancy. This is known as pregnancy gingivitis, and is a relatively common occurrence. You should brush your teeth twice per day and floss every day, taking care to use a fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles, to prevent gingivitis and gum disease. Your diet is important during pregnancy both for you and your growing baby. Go for a variety of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, and try to minimize your sugar intake to keep your mouth and body healthy.

Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile full of healthy, white teeth. However, there’s more to oral health than just having a bright smile. In addition to visiting your dentist near Bel Air every six months, you should brush your teeth twice per day and floss on a daily basis. This combination of professional and at-home oral care will help keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. Gum disease can be painful and damaging to your oral health, as it could lead to tooth loss if it is left to progress unchecked. Keep reading to learn about the risk factors for gum disease and what you can do lower your risk.

Age
While there are some risk factors for gum disease that you and your dentist can control, there are others that you just can’t. As you grow older, you are at a greater risk for gum disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 75 percent of people in the U.S. ages 65 and older have gum disease. Make sure that you are visiting your periodontist regularly if you have a history of or signs of gum disease.

Smoking
It is widely known that smoking and using other forms of tobacco is dangerous for your health, and your oral health is no exception. Smoking greatly increases your risk of periodontal disease, and using tobacco can exacerbate any gum disease that is already present. Additionally, if you continue to smoke, it will be much more difficult to treat gum disease in a successful manner.

Genetics
If you have a family history of gum disease, you may be at a greater risk of developing it yourself. That’s why it’s important to discuss your medical history with your dentist, as a preventive treatment plan can help lower your risk of gum disease.

Stress
Stress can take a physical toll on your body as well as mental and emotional tolls. Studies have shown that high levels of stress make it harder for your body to fight off infections, which can include periodontal disease. Work on reducing your stress levels to improve your oral health as well as your overall outlook.

Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but you should still do what you can to protect yourself against gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems. During your next visit to your dentist in Bel Air, find out what you can do to keep your oral health in good condition. Your dentist may recommend sealants if you do not already have them to protect your teeth against decay. Sealants are used on the chewing surfaces of molars, helping to seal off the pits and grooves in your teeth against plaque, tartar, and decay. They make the surfaces of your teeth smoother and easier to clean, and help prevent bacteria from building up in those pits. Your dentist or dental hygienist can apply sealants in a short, painless procedure. The sealant material will be painted onto your teeth, and then either harden on their own or be cured by a special light. After you get your sealants, you’ll have additional protection against decay, but you should still practice a good at-home oral care routine to ensure a happy, healthy smile.

When you look at your smile in the mirror, do you notice that your teeth could use some improvements? If you have teeth that are misaligned, it could have a negative effect on your oral health as well as your aesthetic appearance. When you’re ready to correct your smile, talk to your dentist in Bel Air about your options for orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces, as the smooth plastic aligners are practically invisible. Invisalign can help correct a number of different alignment issues. Read on to learn more.

Gapped Teeth
If you have sizeable spaces in between some or all of your teeth, Invisalign may be able to help treat this. Gaps can be caused by the way the jaw bone grows, or by missing teeth since remaining teeth will shift in their absence. Even if gapped teeth do not present an aesthetic concern for you, the extra space leaves your gums more vulnerable to periodontal disease. Normally, the gums are protected by the teeth, but with gaps, there is less of a barrier between the gums and disease-causing bacteria.

Overbite
Overbite, or overjet as it’s known to your dentist, refers to when the upper teeth protrude abnormally far in front of the lower teeth. It can be caused by genetics, bone development, or oral habits. An overbite can cause excess wear on the lower teeth as well as jaw problems that can be quite painful. Invisalign can often help correct an overbite.

Open Bite
Open bite occurs when teeth don’t make contact when the jaw is completely closed. This may be a result of thumb-sucking, or genetics. If you have an open bite, you may experience problems speaking, or trouble chewing your food thoroughly. Since it can also lead to jaw disorders, Invisalign is a good choice to help correct this misalignment.

Crowded Bite
If you do not have enough room in your jaw for all of your teeth, you may have crowded teeth. Your dentist may recommend extraction in order to make room for everything, or use Invisalign to help prevent your teeth from growing into a more crooked, misaligned position.