Missing A Tooth? You Get An Implant Or A Bridge

When you lose one of your permanent teeth you do have a couple of options beyond just walking around with a hole in your mouth for the rest of your life.

There are 2 basic options that you have, an implant or a bridge. Here is the difference between them.

Bridge: A bridge basically "bridges the gap" that was left by the missing tooth. This is accomplished by grinding down the teeth on the sides of the gap and making them into anchoring teeth (abutment teeth). Those 2 teeth are the crowned with a 3 part crown with the middle being a false tooth that closed the gap from the missing tooth.

The advantage of the bridge is that it saves you from having to have oral surgery. The disadvantage is that you have to have 2 crowns put on to teeth that really didn't need them.

Implant: A little more complex and requires some oral surgery. A post is drilled into the jawbone to hold the crown in place. Then a crown is secured on top of that.

The advantage of an implant is that you have that tooth replaced without having to get caps on the other 2 teeth. With the post, it does make it more durable. The disadvantage is that it is a lengthy process that requires multiple visits to your dentist and specialist.

Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of tooth colored material designed to be placed over the natural tooth to improve smiles!

Why would someone want to get veneers? 

• To cover stained or discolored teeth
• Repair chipped or damaged teeth
• Close gaps between teeth
• Straighten and align teeth

Process of veneers?

• Can take one or two appointments.
• The dentist will clean the teeth and determine the correct shade for the veneers.
• They will remove a small amount of enamel on the teeth to make room to place the veneers.
• An impression will be taken and sent to the laboratory meanwhile a temporary veneer will be placed until the new porcelain veneers are ready.
• When the new veneers are at the dental office the dentist will remove the temporary veneer and bond the new veneers to the teeth.

Care for your veneers the same as you would your natural teeth. 

*Veneers are not forever, they will need to be replaced at some point no matter how well you take care of them. 

Protect Your Toothbrush During Flu Season

The flu season is among us and I was one that fell victim to it's not so welcoming arrival. The on-set is quick and it packs quite a punch. Although there are many ways to combat it and even avoid getting it all together, there is one avenue that is often overlooked, your toothbrush.

One thing that I noticed when I was down with the flu was that I spent a lot of time in the bathroom. Whether it was to use the facility, shower, allow my last meal to resurface, get medication or just splash some water on my face, the bathroom was my room of choice. I am sure you all know what I mean. In the bathroom too is where I spent most of the time coughing and sneezing.

Luckily I live alone so I didn't have to worry about infecting anyone else, but for those of you who don't, you should really keep something in mind. Is your toothbrush out in the open in the bathroom? If it is, like mine is, then when that family member is in the bathroom sneezing and coughing the virus could infect your toothbrush. Then, despite your best effort to quarantine yourself off from the your sick loved one, as soon as you use your toothbrush you now run the risk of being infected.

So just keep that in mind when you or someone in your family comes down with the flu this year. Quarantine yourself and your toothbrush too, because let me tell you.. this is not one flu virus that you want to get. Trust me on that one.

Lastly, always remember to replace your toothbrush after you are feeling better. The last thing you want to is have it coming back for a round 2.

Dental Floss Sewing Kit Hack

I was scrolling through Pinterest last night and I came across this neat dental floss sewing kit hack. Nothing is worse then having your clothes rip or losing a button in the middle of the day and not having anything to fix it with.

Here is how to make a portable sewing kit!

Instructions:

1. Peel off the label from the container.
2. Open the container and reuse the spindle the floss was originally on. *Glue a grommet to each end, this will help you wind the thread on to the spindle without the thread falling off, after the thread is wound on remove the grommet (will not close correctly if left on)
1. 
3. Cut a small piece of elastic or ribbon and hot-glue it to one side of the container. This is the needle holder.
1. 
2. 
4. Place the spindle back into the container with the thread running counter clock-wise.
1. 
5. When you need to sew, open the container grab your needle and cut the the thread the same way you would the floss!
1. 

Click here for full directions and pictures!

Is Your Toothache Killing You? It Could Literally!

It's hard to imagine how a toothache can turn deadly, but even the slightest pain can quickly turn serious if not taken care of.

Studies have shown that hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized each year for infections of the tooth's root which is known as a periapical abscess. This abscess is commonly found around untreated tooth decay and can be deadly in the infection spreads. Infections can spread to your jaw, neck, lungs and brain.

Monday a California man passed away from a tooth infection that spread to his lungs.  The article states that he was experiencing a toothache after he left his home in California for a work trip to New York. The pain became so bad that he stopped  at a dental office in Oklahoma where they prescribed him with antibiotics.  Days later the pain was so bad he asked his brother to make the trip back to California with him but they ended up at a hospital in Utah where he eventually passed earlier this week.

Remember it's better to have a toothache treated when it's treatable rather then waiting until it's life-threatening.

To read the full article click here!

A Little Dental Humor

In this world of convenience, would you be surprised if...?   This is just too funny.  Enjoy!

 

Keep Smiling!!