Root canals are a scary prospect for most people. Even without knowing exactly what occurs during a root canal, most people have the connotation of a very painful dental procedure. But perhaps knowing is half the battle. For many people, understanding the step-by-step procedure might help them relax and realize that root canals are not as scary when they know what to expect.

The first thing you should know about your root canal is that you will be numb. The Waterford dentist will administer local anesthesia to ensure you have no feeling around the affected area. If you have never had these shots, they are tiny pinches that are mostly uncomfortable more than painful. If the idea of the numbing shots is enough to get you rattled, the Waterford dentist will offer you nitrous oxide to help you relax. It is just as important to him or her that you are at ease.

Once the area is numb, a rubber dental dam will be placed over your mouth to prevent saliva from touching the affected tooth. This is also placed here to protect your mouth from the dental tools that will be used. Once everything is prepared, the Waterford dentist will begin by drilling a hole into your tooth (remember, you WILL be numb!). This will give him access to the nerve and a part of the tooth called the pulp chamber. The nerve will be removed, along with any other affected tissue, before the root canal is cleaned, enlarged and shaped in preparation for the temporary filling. The permanent filling will be performed during another appointment. The Waterford dentist may apply medication to prevent an infection, and if the tooth is already infected, you may be prescribed antibiotics.

After the filling and possible medication, you’re done! At least for this visit. You will need to return and have the temporary filling removed and switched out for permanent material. The Waterford dentist will place a crown over the tooth to restore function and also to give the tooth proper structure and a natural appearance.

Now, that doesn’t sound that bad, does it?

Receding gums is a condition that sometimes creeps up on you over time. This dental condition can occur because of age, but it can also happen when extreme brushing takes place. If you have receding gums or want to try and prevent this from happening to you, here are some tips and information about what causes this dental issue.

Receding gums are often noticeable because your teeth will appear longer than they did before. Another indication may be your sensitivity to cold and hot food and liquid, mostly because part of your tooth’s nerve is exposed. Dental professionals say receding gums can be a result of slow changes of the gingival, abnormally tilted teeth, or a stronger-than-usual band of mouth muscles that are attached to the gingival. This muscle’s contraction generates a constant pull, which can create receding gums. Last but not least, overly aggressive brushing can also wear down the gum lines.

In addition to longer-looking teeth and perhaps an unattractive smile, receding gums can also lead to having food stuck in the roots of your teeth. This will lead to quicker decay and possibly bad breath if the food isn’t removed.

It is important to receive dental care if you have receding gums. Treatments of this condition range from scaling, root planning and graft surgeries. If you have to have a graft surgery, typically your dentist will remove healthy tissue from another section of your mouth and cover the exposed area with this tissue.

Schedule an appointment with your dental care professional today and find out how you can prevent or treat receding gums.

We have all heard of root canals, but what exactly are they? What kind of dental issues necessitate a root canal?

When a tooth becomes seriously decayed or has suffered a traumatic injury and is in danger of being lost, a root canal is the best solution to save the tooth. It might sound like an easier solution to just have the tooth pulled, but this can cause further dental problems. Losing a tooth can cause other teeth to shift and can even cause gum disease. So unfortunately, the best solution is to have a root canal, as scary as that sounds.

If the decay has created a deep cavity, the pulp of your tooth could become exposed to saliva, which can cause an infection. If the infection worsens, an abscess may form. This type of decay causes the tooth to die, which affects the surrounding tissue. As the tissue becomes infected, pus will begin to accumulate around the root. This infection will eventually seep into the bone. Having a root canal will stop the tooth from being completely lost.

A dental root canal is a commonplace procedure, but it will take more than one visit to complete. During the first visit your tooth will be numbed, drilled, cleaned and shaped. A temporary filling will be inserted until the next visit. Once the tooth is filled with permanent filling, a crown will be placed over top. This procedure should protect your tooth for the rest of your life, given you engage in proper dental hygiene and visit your dentist regularly.

Anyone who has ever been interested in whitening his or her teeth knows there are over a dozen whitening products out there. From dental whitening strips to gels, there are many choices available, but only professional dental whitening has the lasting and high-quality effects you’re looking for!

New to the dental scene is Zoom! This whitening application is quicker, simpler and much more convenient than the typical store-bought products that can take up to 14 days to achieve a fraction of the results you desire. When you get Zoom! whitening treatments, the results are immediate and will be very noticeable.

Your dentist will begin by preparing your mouth for the Zoom! procedure. After your lips and gums have been isolated, a dental technician will apply the Zoom! whitening gel to your teeth. Afterwards a specially designed light will activate the chemicals in the gel to whiten your teeth. After a short time, the procedure is over and you’re left with a smile that is six-to-ten times whiter! Dental professionals say the whitening process may even continue for a few days after the in-office procedure.

In order to maintain your beautiful, whiter smile, dentists recommend using custom-designed gel trays. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth in order for a gel tray to be designed just for you. The Zoom! whitening gel is placed in the dental tray and can be worn overnight or for just a few hours each day. This process needs to be completed daily for three to four weeks in order to achieve optimal results. Once you have achieved your desired shade, continue with the trays once every few months.

Zoom! offers exceptional whitening results without the inconvenience of typical store-bought products. Contact your dentist today and ask about how you can get a whiter, brighter smile with the help of Zoom!

Dental experts report more than 10 million Americans suffer from Temporal Manibular Joint Disorder, commonly known as TMJ. Most people begin to notice the effects if they have difficulties with chewing, talking or smiling and often wake up with a sore jaw or headache.

TMJ occurs because the person tenses his or her jaw bones, creating an incredible amount of pressure. This pressure can wear down the teeth and cause soreness in the mandibular bone, or lower jaw. The cause of this pressure can be varied, but it is usually linked to stress or a misalignment of teeth. In some cases TMJ can also be a result of trauma that has occurred to the jaw or mouth.

TMJ can cause problems not only for your teeth and joint, but it can also damage the cartilage that serves as a buffer between the two bones affected by TMJ. If the damage continues without treatment, surgery may be required to fix the jaw.

If you have TMJ, you more than likely experience one or more of the following:

• Headaches
• Earaches
• Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
• Clicking or popping of the jaw
• Pain in the jaw muscles
• Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face
• Migraine headaches

If you believe you suffer from TMJ, it is important to talk with your Waterford dentist about a suitable treatment.

There are some instances when the grooves in your teeth cannot be adequately cleaned and cleared of plaque build-up by routine brushing. Most people experience this issue in their back teeth, which are hard to reach and maneuver around with a toothbrush. To make sure these grooves do not become cavities, your dentist may suggest a sealant.

Sealant material is comprised of plastic resin that is brushed onto the surface of your teeth to protect these narrow grooves from acids, plaque and other debris. More often than not, your molars and premolars are the teeth most in need of sealants. The procedure of applying sealant is very brief, and only takes a few minutes per tooth.

First the dentist will “roughen” the teeth with an acidic solution. This will ensure the sealant adheres to the tooth and stays on. Your teeth will then be brushed with the plastic resin. The resin will immediately begin to harden, however some dentists will use a special curing light to hasten the process.

It is important to make regular dental visits to ensure the sealants are not damaged. As long as they remain in place, your tooth will be completely protected from forming cavities. Dental experts say the plastic resin should last for several years, but reapplication will be necessary at some point. Sealants are also strong enough to withstand normal chewing and brushing habits.

If you think you might be a good candidate for sealants, call and schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

Providing fundamental teeth cleaning is one of the most important services your dentist can provide. Without habitual dental cleanings, you become at high risk for gum disease and periodontitis, which is the primary cause of tooth loss in individuals over the age of 40 and can lead to more serious health issues.

So what can you expect during an average cleaning? The process is actually quite simple and painless. First the dental hygienist will employ an ultrasonic instrument which uses high-speed vibrations to break up pieces of tartar while spraying a fine mist of water to wash away the debris. Once the larger pieces have been eliminated, he or she will use scalers and curettes that have been specifically designed to fit the curves of your teeth in order to scrape away the smaller remaining plaque and tartar build-up. Once the surfaces of your teeth have been cleaned, the dental hygienist will use a polisher and prophylaxis paste to give your teeth a sparkly, smooth finish. In order to keep your teeth resistant to destructive bacteria in between visits, you will receive a fluoride treatment. A flavored foam or gel is placed inside a tray that fits over your teeth. After 30 seconds, you can spit out the fluoride. The fluoride provides you with a solid barricade that will keep your teeth resilient and fight off harmful germs.

In most cases, a dental cleaning lasts from 30-45 minutes and needs to be repeated every six months. If you haven’t received this very important service, call your local dentist today and schedule an appointment.

Missing teeth can cause you to feel insecure about your smile in addition to having a detrimental affect on your entire mouth. Since there is no nearby support, the teeth around the gap will shift inward, creating a chain reaction of dental issues. Additionally, the neighboring teeth will begin to deteriorate and will ultimately fall out. As you have less and less teeth in your mouth to care for, the neglect will finally lead to gum disease and possibly periodontitis, which can have lasting and serious health effects.

In order to avoid all the dental turmoil mentioned above, it is important to fill in the space caused by a missing tooth as soon as possible. Bridges will replace the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Using gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy or a ceramic substance, the material is manipulated to appear similar to a tooth. It uses the two neighboring teeth for support. The choice of material depends largely on how strong it needs to be, whether there will be extreme or minimal wear and how it looks aesthetically.

The dental advantages of bridge work will not only serve as a defense against tooth decay, shifting and gum disease, but that beautiful, natural-looking smile will also give you confidence. If you have loose or missing teeth, it’s important to get in contact with your dentist immediately and find out if you’re an ideal candidate for bridge work.

When you think of going to the dentist, you think of getting your teeth cleaned, getting bridgework or possibly getting fitted for braces. But did you know your dentist can also provide you with an oral cancer screen?

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, close to 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Unfortunately, 8,000 Americans die from this disease. Dental experts say oral cancer has an exceptionally high mortality rate because by the time most people are diagnosed, the disease has already progressed past the point of adequate treatment. However, on a positive note, dentists say oral cancer has decreased over the last 30 years because more people are receiving proper dental care on a regular basis and getting regular oral cancer screens.

Who is at risk for oral cancer?

Dentists say males and African Americans are at a higher risk than women or other ethnic groups, although every person should receive an oral cancer screen. Lifestyles also contribute to the occurrence of oral cancer, as those individuals who smoke, drink or are exposed to the sun for long periods of time are also susceptible to oral cancer.

What areas are checked for oral cancer?

When your dentist performs an oral cancer screening, he or she will examine the front and back third of the tongue as well as underneath, inside your cheeks, the gums, the soft palate, the walls of your throat, the tonsils, the pharynx, the front roof of your mouth and the lips. The dentist will be looking for leukoplakia and erythroplakia, which are white and red patches of cells, as well as lesions.

How is the area tested for oral cancer?

If your dentist finds any abnormalities during the oral cancer screen, he or she will perform a few different procedures, including staining, cytology or biopsy, to gather tissue which will be sent for detection of cancerous or precancerous cells.

Even if you don’t smoke or drink, or engage in any behavior that could increase your chances of getting oral cancer, you should receive occasional screenings from your dentist just to be on the safe side. If you do engage in any of these behaviors, it is imperative that you talk to your dentist about getting tested regularly. Oral cancer does not have to be a death sentence.

Going to the Waterford dentist is no laughing matter. Well, not unless you get a dose of nitrous oxide! Nitrous oxide, otherwise known as “laughing gas,” is administered to dental patients who have anxiety about their cleanings or other dental work that is being performed. But what can you expect from nitrous oxide? And how do you know if it’s right for you? What other sedation alternatives are there?

Many people may be embarrassed by their fear of the Waterford dentist, but no matter how irrational it may seem, the phobia can be very real and have an effect on whether or not they receive adequate dental care. For this reason, Waterford dentists offer nitrous oxide. If you are apprehensive about your upcoming cleaning, it is important to call ahead and let the office know that you have some trepidation about the appointment. Sometimes people have anxiety about the cleaning because they have sensitive teeth, which is eliminated by the nitrous oxide.

In addition to nitrous oxide, many Waterford dentists also offer valium before and during the appointment. It is important that you remain calm during your dental procedure so the hygienist and Waterford dentist can focus on delivering the best possible care without any distractions. However, they will be sensitive to your needs and are willing to do what it takes to make sure you get through your dental appointment. If you choose to use valium to calm your nerves, the Waterford dentist will discuss with you your specific needs and administer the medication accordingly.

If you’ve decided to ask for nitrous oxide, what can you expect? How will it make you feel and how long will it take you to recover?

Once you’re comfortable, the hygienist will offer you a mask to cover your mouth and nose. As you breathe in deeply and slowly, you will inhale nitrous oxide and begin to feel more at ease. You may find that your cheeks and gums will begin to feel numb, but do not worry, this is normal. After the procedure is over, the hygienist will again offer you a mask, but this time oxygen will be flowing into your lungs, returning you to your normal state.

If you feel nitrous oxide or valium is the right choice to make your dental experience more tolerable, call your Waterford dentist and make sure he is aware of your needs. Your Waterford dentist’s highest priority is the comfort and trust of his patients.