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.

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.