Here at Tedford Family Dentistry, we want to make sure that all of our Ooltewah clients fully understand the cosmetic dentistry services that we offer. In the world of dentistry, people generally place dental services into two main camps - things that need to be done and things people want to have done. For example, getting a cavity filled is a need-based service. Walking around with a cavity can be quite painful and, as such, is a service that most people would consider necessary in order to maintain the overall health of their mouth. However, in today’s post, we are going to talk about a service that, at first glance, doesn’t seem like a necessity but, after taking a moment to think about the benefits, can quickly blur the lines between what is necessary and what is wanted.

What are Dental Implants?

Before we dive into some of the benefits of dental implants and whether or not they are the right choice for your situation, we want to take a moment to explain what dental implants are. At the most basic level, dental implants are fake teeth that are placed in a patient's gums in order to replace a tooth that is dying or to fill in for a tooth that has already fallen out of the patient's mouth. Think of dental implants as an artificial tooth with an attached root. When dental implants are placed in the jawbone, they bond with the patient’s bone, providing a sturdy base for an artificial tooth (known as a crown) to be placed. In modern dentistry, dental implants are the best replacement for a lost or damaged tooth because they are the most realistic looking replacement available and, more importantly, they help to maintain the integrity of the jawbone.

When a tooth is lost or starts to die, the root is no longer firmly placed in the jawbone. While this might not seem like a huge deal to the average person, a missing tooth can actually create lasting damage that affects the integrity of the teeth closest to the missing or damaged tooth. The human jawbone is made to house teeth. The roots of teeth and the jawbone work together to maintain structural integrity of the jawbone. If a person is missing one or more teeth, the area of the jawbone where these teeth are missing becomes weaker. If left untreated, this weak spot can actually spread further away from the problem area, leading to an overall softening of the jawbone and, in a worst-case scenario, damage to the roots of healthy teeth. Luckily, dental implants help to solve this issue by giving the jawbone a “root” to grow around, maintaining the natural strength of the jawbone itself.

What are Some of the Advantages of Dental Implants?

Aside from helping the jawbone maintain its strength, dental implants offer many more benefits when compared to other tooth replacement options:

• Improved Appearance - One major advantage that draws people toward dental implants is the fact that they are one of the most natural-looking tooth replacement options. When placed in the mouth, dental implants look and feel just like a natural tooth.
• Improved Speech - A major complaint we hear from people with dentures is that they can slip in a patient’s mouth, causing a person to slur or to mumble their words. This occurs because the dentures may not sit properly in a person’s mouth. With dental implants, this problem does not occur because the implants are fused directly to a person’s jawbone, guaranteeing that no slipping will occur.
• Improved Oral Health - Unlike dental bridges, dental implants do not require the reducing of surrounding teeth. Because the adjacent teeth are not altered to support the implant, a patient’s original teeth are left intact, greatly improving long-term oral health.
• Durability - Another great feature of dental implants is the fact that they are super durable. The implant itself is made from medical grade stainless steel, while the crown can be made from a variety of materials including resin, ceramic-based materials, or porcelain fused to metal. No matter the material, dental implants are made to last.
• Convenience - Once a dental implant is placed in a patient’s jaw, they often times forget that they even have a false tooth. Other tooth replacement options, such as dental bridges or dentures, require a certain amount of upkeep and, unfortunately, must oftentimes be removed from the mouth in order to be properly cleaned. Because a dental implant is a permanent, long-term solution that is designed to stay in a patient’s mouth, upkeep is the same as it would be for a natural tooth.

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

By this point in the post, you are probably wondering if dental implants are the right choice for your particular situation. While every patient’s situation is different, we are confident in saying that dental implants are almost always the best choice when it comes to replacing a damaged or missing tooth.

We hope that this blog helped answer some questions about dental implants and the advantages they provide. If you are interested in learning more about the dental implant services we offer at our Ooltewah location, please feel free to reach out to us through our contact form or give us a call at 423-238-8887.

Do you know how to stop gingivitis? Does your mouth bleed when you brush your teeth? Noticing plaque and tartar above the gumline? Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, appears as the first sign of someone at risk for periodontal disease. Join us in learning how to stop Gingivitis.

At some point, a dentist has no doubt warned you about it before, but you should take gum health seriously. If left unchecked, a domino effect of oral damage progresses, often resulting in the loss of one’s teeth and increased risk of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory infections, and other afflictions. Preventing that from happening is worth 3 to 5 minutes of your time, twice a day, right?

A survey reported in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that a majority of adults have gingivitis. This suggests that people aren’t taking good enough care of their teeth beyond occasional cleanings with their dentist. With that in mind, our dentists near Collegedale TN offer five ways to stop gum disease and the damage caused by gingivitis:

How to Stop Gingivitis? Brush Twice, Floss Once

The American Dental Association recommends taking the time to brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime. Flossing should happen during one of those cleaning sessions at home. It’s easy to forget or disregard if you’re in a hurry, but we should make oral health an important part of our daily routine.

Pay More Attention to the Gumline While Brushing

Gingivitis starts with plaque accumulating around the gumline. People often neglect the gums when brushing, but you can easily attack both areas at the same time by angling your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. You might also occasionally “scrape” the tongue with your toothbrush to remove bacteria and toxins.

Keep Your Toothbrush Germ Free

Brushing daily won’t have as much positive impact if we store our toothbrushes in moist environments that promote the growth of germs. Store in the upright position if possible. Possibly alternate between 2 toothbrushes so one can completely dry while the other is used.

Examine Your Nutrition and Lifestyle

Getting at least 800 milligrams daily of Calcium, known to strengthen bones, can reduce the chances of developing gum disease (which may eventually loosen teeth), according to a study from the State University of New York at Buffalo. The National Institute of Health recommends a daily dose of 100 to 200 milligrams of Vitamin C to check bleeding gums. Studies suggest Vitamin D shows anti-inflammatory benefits, which may reduce bleeding between the gums. Excessive smoking and drinking drain the body of vitamins and minerals. Raw vegetables clean and stimulate teeth and gums. Stress and exposure to toxic chemicals can also contribute to oral decay.

Use a Mouthwash After Brushing

A study in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology suggests that mouthwash containing the chemicals cetylpridinium chloride or domiphen bromide inhibited the development of plaque and reduced gingivitis. Listerine, for example.

Tedford Family Dentistry in Ooltewah offers preventive dentistry to help stop gum disease and other oral health risks. To learn more about our full preventive dentistry services and doing your part at home on how to stop gingivitis, visit http://tedfordfamilydentistry.com/dental-services-ooltewah-tn/preventive-dentistry-ooltewah-tn

Copyright: fsstock / 123RF Stock Photo

Written by Steven Stiefel

 

If you are new to an area or looking for a new dentist, you may ask yourself, Siri or Alexa: "How do I find the best dentist near me?".  

Oddly, finding a dentist is sometimes one of the last things people look into when they move to a new area.  They find their dry cleaner, child's school, family doctor and favorite restaurants before their dentist.  However, seeing a dentist can be very important to your overall health.  There are many things to consider when searching for a new dentist.  Below are a few things to consider.

Google Searches for Dentists

If you use Google to research "dentists near me",  Google will provide you with a screen filled with options split into 3 sections. 

1. Typically, the top section of the screen (above the maps box) is paid ads.  Those dentists pay a fee for each click to be listed at the top of the screen, and it may not always reflect on the reputation of the dental practice. 
   
   
2. The next section of the options is what is called Google Maps.  Here you can view dentists by proximity to your device, and you can read reviews about the dentists nearby.
    
3. Below the maps, is a listing of additional dentists that is called organic search.  

Online Reviews

Google Reviews and other 3rd party review sites are a good, unbiased way to learn about a dentist and how their patients feel about the staff, overall experience and more.  Third party sites publish all reviews - the good, the bad and the ugly.  Consumers know the reviews are legitimate.  That is why 8 out of 10 consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. 

Dentist Websites

Research the dentists' websites to make sure that they offer services that meet your needs.  Some dentists specialize in certain areas, while others may offer a wide range of services that meet the needs of your entire family -- from pediatric dentistry to senior dental services.  You might also learn about their staff and informative blog posts.

Recommendation from Friends & Family

You trust your friends and family, and they might be able to recommend a really good dentist.  However, you'll still want to do some basic research to make sure their recommendation meets your needs as far as specific services beyond standard teeth cleaning.

Professional Dental Organizations

Check to be sure that the dentist near you is part of professional dental organizations such as the ADA, Academy of General Dentistry and the Dawson Alumni Association - Dedicated to Complete Care Dentistry.

After you have done your research, and have been to visit the dentist for the first time, you can ask yourself questions such as:

• Did I feel comfortable during my visit?
• Was everything explained clearly to me?
• Was there justification for each procedure?
• Was the dentist wearing loupes (surgical telescopes)?

If all went well, you should feel confident that you did indeed "find the best dentist near me".

 

 

Copyright: maxpro / 123RF Stock Photo