Are sensitive teeth common in today's world? They certainly are because it is estimated that almost half of the population experiences tooth sensitivity at some point in their lives. Sensitive teeth can come and go, depending on the cause and how you treat them.
What exactly is tooth sensitivity? It is actually the common way to refer to root sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity. When you breathe cold air or have hot, cold, sweet or acidic foods and beverages, your teeth may feel painful or sensitive.
Often teeth are sensitive because of dentin on root areas exposed because of gum disease or receded gums. It is common to have receded gums and up to eighty percent of people have some gum recession by the age of 65. You can prevent tooth sensitivity by brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and American Dental Association recommended fluoride toothpaste and flossing in between teeth every day. Avoid scrubbing your teeth hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush that can compromise the enamel on your teeth can cause extreme sensitivity.
If you have sensitive teeth, discuss it with your dentist. Your dentist can determine if there is an underlying dental problem causing your teeth to be sensitive and will know how to treat it. Your dentist will also be able to recommend toothpastes and mouth rinses that will help your sensitive teeth so talk to your dental office today.
Remember all those old photos from 100 years ago? Did you ever wonder why so many of the people in them never smiled? It was because their teeth looked awful, and back then there were no aesthetic dentists to help!
So don't feel badly if your teeth have become a little dull and yellow over the years—everyone's teeth become yellower and less attractive with age—just thank your lucky stars aesthetic dentistry is here today!
Actually, our forebears had bigger problems than yellow teeth. Many of them had lost a number of teeth due to a poorly understood need for dental hygiene and not a dentist in sight who could fill cavities, perform dental implant surgery, apply porcelain veneers, bond gaps between teeth, invisibly realign crooked teeth or repair cracked teeth.
You're a lot luckier. You have an aesthetic dentist on your side.
Sedation dentistry—also called sleep dentistry—can relieve patient anxiety and ensure that dental procedures are truly pain free. Many people fear dental appointments, and some people have a phobia about the unavoidable “in your face and personal space” aspect of dental care.
If this describes you, by all means speak with your dentist about prescribing a medication you can take before your next visit that will relax you. Because these medications alter depth perception and slow response time, you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your dentist’s office safely. You’ll be relaxed and drowsy but awake when you arrive for your appointment—most importantly, you’ll be anxiety free.
You won’t be unconscious during the dental procedures, but you will feel mentally and emotionally distant from them. You won’t feel any discomfort and won’t remember the treatment itself. Because you’ll be completely comfortable, your sedation dentist can do multiple dental care procedures during the same visit.
Sedation dentistry can make keeping your teeth in excellent condition a lot less stressful. So, if thinking about your next dental visit makes you feel anxious, talk with your dentist about getting appropriate medication today.
If anxiety about dental visits is stopping you from taking care of your teeth, stop letting anxiety control your oral health—make a decision and start taking steps to implement it today!
A good way to begin is by reminding yourself that the only person in the world who can control your life is you. If you’ve experienced traumatic dental care in the past or just don’t get along all that well with the dentist you’ve been using, choose another dentist who will better understand your dental needs and be committed to fulfilling them in the best and most harmonious way.
Choose a dental office that offers the latest techniques in dental care, including conscious sedation, a new technique which lets you sleep through even the most complex procedures and significantly reduces your dental anxiety.
Once you’ve chosen a dentist, set an appointment, and keep it. If necessary, ask a friend or family member to support you by going to your appointment with you.
Choose to make your oral health your highest priority. Improving your oral health improves your life. Good dental health means that your mouth can feed the rest of your body, speak for you effectively, and share your emotions with others in the best possible way.
The dental wand offers painless, computer controlled anesthesia delivery for dental patients who are particularly sensitive to pain. Because the wand delivers a dosage controlled by a microprocessor as opposed to thumb pressure, a slow, steady injection is delivered that is comfortable for the patient.
The hardware for the device resembles a small computer tower and the hand piece looks a lot like a ballpoint pen. Because of the shape of the hand piece, it is easier for dentists to have a straight path for a more accurate injection. The hand piece is clean because it is disposable.
The immediate benefit a patient derives from receiving an injection through the dental wand is painlessness. After the injection, the patient will notice that their lips, cheeks, tongue and face are not numb for hours. This is because the dental want allows the dentist or dental technician to hit exactly the right spot and numb only the tooth or teeth being worked on. Further, the technique is so painless that it is even comfortable for use on the sensitive palate.
If you fear the sting of the injection before dental work, ask your dentist about the dental wand today for a painless, direct numbing method.
Whether they work in private offices or in public health, dental hygienists are important members of dentists’ oral health teams. Though professional dental hygienists still clean teeth by removing tartar caused by plaque buildup patients didn’t remove by brushing and flossing, they are also educators, researchers and agents for change.
Professional dental hygienists in private practice are also responsible for instructing patients about preventive dental care and counseling patients about dietary choices. They take patients’ medical and dental histories, apply sealants and fluoride and process X-rays.
Those working in the public health system conduct dental screening exams, demonstrate new preventive dental methods and procedures, help plan community dental health programs, and may also be involved in seeking funding for dental health care provided to low income people.
Though most dental hygienists work with dentists in private practice, an increasing number are working as researchers in hospitals and schools of dentistry.
Regardless of where they work, dental hygienists must be graduates of an accredited dental hygiene program, pass a state board examination that includes both written and clinical tests and be licensed by the state in which they practice.
Cosmetic dentistry is a lot more than just cosmetic! Though twice-yearly visits to your dentist will keep teeth white and smile bright, they can also keep numerous health problems at bay. Researchers have determined that poor oral health is associated with heart disease, stroke and reduced immune system efficiency. The condition of the mouth often mirrors the condition of the body as a whole!
Establishing good oral health should begin early. Parents need to instill good oral hygiene health habits in their children and be sure to take them to a cosmetic dentist at least every six months. In addition to giving kids’ white teeth, dentists can correct oral problems that can lead to chewing or speech difficulties and adversely impact a child’s self-confidence and school performance later on.
Good oral health and treating oral diseases and conditions significantly improve the quality of life. Brush and floss after every meal to reduce plaque, the sticky white substance that contributes to dental cavities and gum disease. Go easy on black coffee and tea and sodas. And don’t use tobacco—both smoking and chewing can lead to gum disease and lost teeth!
Check out this case study on smile transformations…
