Did you know that approximately 42,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed each year? 65% of these begin in the oral cavity, which is why dentists in Bel Air recommend regular screening for oral cancer.

Regular visits to the dentist are essential for early oral cancer detection. During your bi-annual check-up, your dentist will conduct a preliminary screening to look for any abnormalities. About 10% of patients have a flat, painless white or red spot or a small sore on the inside of the mouth. Testing can determine if this spot is harmless or cancerous. Your dentist may take tissue for checking or send you to a specialist. Because many of these spots and tooth abscesses may be visible only to your dentist, it is vital to visit your dentist’s office, especially as you get older.

There are a number of reasons you may need a root canal near Bel Air . A root canal is a procedure performed by a dentist to remove the tooth nerve. The procedure is done to save a tooth that has become infected or shows signs of bad decay. It may not always be immediately apparent when a root canal is necessary. This article will highlight some of the more common reasons a root canal would be required.

When Tooth Pain is Present
Not all tooth pain is a reason to have a root canal, but pain is a major indicator that something is wrong. If the pain is present when eating or when pressure is applied, it could be indicative of nerve damage. Extra sensitivity or pain to hot and cold is also a sign of nerve damage. If a tooth that is infected or badly decayed causes the pain, a root canal will need to be performed to stop the pain.

If a Tooth has Become Abscessed
If a tooth that is infected is left untreated, an abscess will form. An abscess is a pocket of puss that forms in the tooth. An abscessed tooth can spread to other teeth and gums, furthering the infection. While it may or may not cause pain, an abscessed tooth is usually visually noticeable. The puss pocket that forms has an appearance similar to that of a pimple. Some patients with an abscessed tooth may even notice puss oozing from the affected area. A root canal is necessary to repair the abscessed tooth.

When a Tooth has Been Damaged
Any time a tooth is damaged and the nerve is affected, a dentist will likely perform a root canal. In the event of trauma to the tooth, such as being hit in the face with enough force to damage a tooth, the nerve can be severed. If this happens, a root canal can be performed to fix the nerve.

Have you ever wanted to improve the way your teeth look? If so, one of the options to consider is to get crowns near Bel Air . Crowns are made of porcelain and are used as a cap on a tooth to fix a number of dental issues, from cosmetic to restorative. Dental crowns are used to alter the shape, size, and color of a tooth. They are custom made to fit your smile. A dentist will recommend crowns if you are looking to alter the appearance of your tooth, or as a way to cover up a filling.

When you get a dental crown, the first step is to create the molding so that your crown is custom made to fit your needs. While the crown is being made, a temporary crown will be used. It usually takes about two weeks for your crown to be completed. A second appointment with your dentist will entail removing the temporary crown and placing the custom fit crown. Your dentist will schedule follow up visits periodically to check in on your crown.

After losing a tooth, or multiple teeth, you may want to consider dental implants near Bel Air . Dental implants are used in place of a missing tooth, as an artificial root for a new crown or bridge to fill in any gaps in your smile. An implant is surgically placed by a dentist and attaches to the existing bone. For more information about the procedure, continue reading this article.

Considering Surgery
If you have a missing tooth, you may be wondering if you are a candidate for surgery. Dental implant recipients are generally in good overall health. Since dental implants are most successful when they are able to easily integrate with the jawbone, it is best when recipients have healthy gum tissue, free of periodontal disease.

Placing the Implant
The dental implant procedure actually consists of multiple surgeries. The first surgery is the procedure to insert the implant into the gum. A dentist will make an incision in the gum to expose the bone and correctly place the implant in the gum. At this time, the implant will begin to fuse together with the bone as the incision heals. This keeps the implant in place.

Placing the Abutment
Once healing is complete, usually after about six months, the dentist will make another incision to expose the implant. The dentist will inspect the implant to ensure proper healing and placement. At this time, the abutment will be attached to the top of the implant. This is the piece that will connect the implant to the crown or bridge. The second component of the procedure takes less time, and healing time is quicker as well. In some cases, a dentist or oral surgeon may opt to place the implant and abutment at the same time.

Caring for a Dental Implant
Once the gums have healed and the implant is in place, a crown or bridge will be placed. This completes the dental implant procedure. To care for a dental implant is no different than caring for the rest of your teeth. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings will keep your dental implant healthy.

Do you know what you can do to prevent gum disease in Bel Air ? Visit your dentist regularly and brush your teeth twice a day. One of the best ways to prevent gum disease and other dental problems is to practice good oral hygiene that includes brushing and flossing. While it is no surprise that brushing your teeth helps prevent gum disease, you may not know what is in your toothpaste that is so important.

The most important ingredient is fluoride, a mineral that helps fight bacteria in your mouth that leads to gum disease. Watch this video for more information about all the ingredients in your toothpaste. From potassium nitrate to help protect sensitive teeth to pyrophosphates to fight tartar, toothpaste is full of active ingredients to keep your teeth healthy. Your dentist can help you learn more about toothpaste.

Have you always wanted a whiter and brighter smile? Dentists in Bel Air agree that a whiter smile gives an immediate impression of youth, happiness, and health. Teeth whitening is now one of the most popular and cost-effective procedures in cosmetic dentistry. There are many options for teeth whitening, so you should always consult with your dentist about the best teeth whitening procedure to brighten your smile. Read on to learn more about the many valuable benefits of teeth whitening.

Younger Appearance
Everyone is born with baby teeth that are almost purely white. Unfortunately, as these teeth are replaced by permanent adult teeth, most people experience gradual discoloration. After many years of drinking coffee and wine, smoking, and simply aging, the teeth can become darker, yellower, or stained. Additionally, internal tooth discoloration may occur after exposure to high levels of fluoride. A whiter smile has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to look immediately younger, as the teeth regain the pure white color of youth.

Improved Career Options
Many people visit their dentist for teeth whitening for a cost-effective way to increase their productivity at work. Whether you work in sales and spend your day selling your wares to potential investors or spend most of your time at a desk in an office, almost all careers involve interacting with customers and clients. Teeth whitening can measurably boost your self-esteem, making it easier to do everything from working with a team of co-workers to asking your supervisor for a raise.

Increased Sociability
If you are like most people who have experienced teeth darkening or aging, you may smile with a closed mouth or shield your teeth with your hand when laughing or talking. But you should never let your insecurities about your smile put a damper on your social life. Whether you are single and looking for someone new or simply venturing out for drinks with friends, you deserve to feel proud of the way you look. A bright, white smile makes you automatically appealing to others and enables you to feel confident in any kind of social situation.

Along with regular teeth cleanings and inspections for oral cancer, digital x-rays are a common procedure in general dentistry . Instead of x-ray film, many dentists near Bel Air now rely on images captured from an electronic sensor and stored on a computer. This innovative technique reduces radiation by up to 90%. X-rays are essential diagnostic tools because they reveal problems that cannot be seen with the naked eye. For example, x-rays taken by your dentist may reveal tumors, tooth decay, abscesses or cysts, bone loss, or gum disease. By detecting and treating dental issues at an early age, your dentist can help save you time, money, and pain down the road. While x-rays are completely safe, dentists still use shields to protect the body and only take x-rays that are absolutely necessary. Your dentist will generally recommend x-rays after undertaking a careful review of your medical and dental history, considering your signs and symptoms, and taking into account your age and risk of disease.

Dental implants are regularly placed by dentists near Bel Air and are highly recommended for certain patients who have lost teeth due to disease or injury. Acting as substitutes for the roots of missing teeth, dental implants provide permanent anchors for a replacement tooth or crown. Continue reading to find out how dental implants can restore your smile and benefit your overall oral health.

Better Appearance
If you are like most people who are missing one or more teeth, you may have experienced a loss of self-esteem. Missing teeth can make it almost impossible to interact in social situations and can even make it challenging to advance in your career. Dental implants ensure that you have a complete, healthy smile so you can feel confident in any business meeting or social setting. Dentists also recommend dental implants because they are more predictable than bridgework.

Improved Chewing
With missing teeth, chewing even soft foods can be a challenge. In fact, dentists often see patients who have resorted to chewing on only one side of the mouth. Unfortunately, the soft gums are highly susceptible to cuts and sores, which can easily lead to infection with the presence of food. Additionally, nearby teeth can become tipped, crowded, or chipped. Dental implants completely restore your smile and replace all missing teeth, making chewing your food painless and efficient.

Permanent Solution
Dentists often recommend dental implants for people who have lost one or more teeth due to disease, decay, or injury. Dental implants are also well-suited to patients who are no longer able to wear removable dentures and need a permanent fix. While dental implants cannot be placed in patients who do not have enough bone to support the implant, your dentist can recommend safe and effective ways to correct bone deficiency. Dental implants will restore your smile and save your dental health.

Using tobacco products, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, can severely impact your oral health. As your dentist can explain, tobacco use dries out your mouth, decreasing the natural production of saliva. Saliva acts as a cleansing agent in the mouth, removing harmful bacteria that can cause plaque, tartar, and gum disease. The next time you visit your dentist in Bel Air , ask about the dangers of tobacco use.

Watch this video to learn more about the oral health risks associated with tobacco use. In the video clip, a dentist from the American Dental Association discusses how tobacco use increases your risk of developing infections, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is caused by poor dental hygiene. When plaque builds up on your teeth and hardens into tartar, it harbors harmful, dangerous bacteria. If not treated by a dentist or periodontist, this bacteria eventually causes gum disease. If you’re concerned that you might be suffering from gum disease in Bel Air , visit a dentist near you for treatment as soon as possible. Keep reading for information about why it’s important to treat gum disease.

Avoid Receding Gums If left untreated, the early, milder symptoms of gum disease will quickly progress into much more serious dental problems. Gum disease causes your gums to become inflamed, tender, and red. They will bleed easily, making you very susceptible to oral infections. Your gums will also begin to recede. If you visit a dentist regularly, or visit a periodontist at the first sign of gum disease, you can avoid developing receding gums.

Prevent Tooth Loss
As gum disease continues to infect your gums and tissues, the gums will begin to pull away from the teeth. This causes spaces, or pockets, to form between the teeth and gums. These pockets are very vulnerable to infection, as it’s easy for bacteria and food to get trapped inside them. While the body’s immune system fights the bacterial infection, the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place will begin to break down. If an emergency dentist or periodontist doesn’t intervene, you may eventually suffer from tooth loss.

Decrease Your Risk of Developing Other Health Problems
The longer gum disease is left untreated, the more severe it becomes. Because it’s a very serious infection, it can spread to other parts of your body through your bloodstream. Your immune system will continue trying to fight the infection, which will tax your body’s resources, making you feel weak. If a dentist doesn’t treat gum disease, the infection can increase your risk of developing very serious health problems. Due to your weakened immune system, you will be much more susceptible to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and certain types of cancer.