lynxbravo, Author at Bravo Dental Dallas

Top 5 factors that makes your teeth cold sensitive

Dreaming of the good old days when enjoying your favorite sundae, did not involve any discomfort, let alone pain?

If eating ice cream or drinking a cold beverage hurts your teeth, you most likely have decay or a gum problem. So how do your teeth become cold-sensitive? When the nerves present in the teeth are exposed to receding gums or damaged dental enamel, the teeth become cold-sensitive.

What Makes your Teeth Sensitive to Cold Temperatures?

Cold-sensitive teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Tooth Decay or Gum Disease: If your sensitive teeth ache even when you’re not eating or drinking anything cold, you may have tooth decay or gum disease. Plaque accumulation on the teeth and gums can aggravate cold sensitivity by causing tooth decay and gum disease.
Excessive Product Use: Cold-sensitive teeth can be caused by external causes such as cleaning your teeth too hard, overusing dental whitening procedures, or acids found in regular foods and drinks such as wine, coffee, and tomatoes, which can cause irreparable enamel loss.
Grinding Teeth and Stress: Excessive tooth grinding (bruxism) can wear away the enamel and expose nerves, resulting in cold-sensitive teeth.
Exposed Nerve Roots: The biological cause of cold sensitivity in teeth begins in the tooth’s pulp. When tooth roots become exposed owing to receding gums or gum disease, the nerves in the pulp render your teeth sensitive to cold.
Teeth Cracks: Microscopic cracks can form as your teeth expand and contract in response to hot and cold temperatures. Because the fissures give another conduit to the nerves, the teeth are more sensitive to cold.

These problems might sometimes get so severe that you need professional help. A dental expert would prescribe a sensitive toothpaste that de-sensitizes your nerves while also containing fluoride to prevent tooth decay. If the situation is more significant, a tooth sensitivity treatment that involves applying a sealant to your tooth to help protect it and relieve the pain associated with dental sensitivity would be required.

If you’re ready to get rid of the discomfort caused by sensitive teeth, or if you have any questions, contact our specialists at Bravo Dental today, and stop dreaming of the good old days and get a spoon handy to eat that sundae again to your heart’s content!

Major causes and treatments: the fundamentals of not losing any of your loose teeth!

As a child, losing a tooth can be exciting, for the child in the form of the tooth fairy story, and for the parent(s) as a symbol as a rite of passage to the child’s next growth phase. But as an adult, losing a tooth, or several can be quite alarming. And, no we are not talking just about the “fight club” format of losing teeth.

Adult teeth last a lifetime and hence you should be heavily concerned when you notice any of your teeth shaking/loosening. When a tooth loses its support and detaches from the gums and bone, tooth loosening occurs. The tooth can shift with the slightest touch, and everyday activities, such as eating & chewing, can loosen it even more.

How do we lose teeth?

Losing teeth as an adult can occur due to a variety of reasons. And since it may be difficult to solve the problem without knowing the root cause (no pun intended), it might be a good idea to know how this happens. Some of the causes include:

Gum Disease:  Tartar or plaque pulls the gums away from the teeth, producing gaps that can become infected. Gums that are bleeding, inflamed, or infected might worsen and lead to bone damage if not treated at the right time. In addition, your teeth will become loose as a result of not receiving sufficient bone support.

Injury to teeth:  A loose tooth can also be caused by an injury to the mouth or face. This can happen if you fall and strike your mouth or are hit in the mouth by another force. Apropos the “fight club” situation. But always, remember the first rule!

Teeth grinding:  Grinding or clenching your teeth unconsciously can damage your teeth and lead to other issues as well, such as headaches and jaw aches. The reason for Teeth grinding can be medical, psychological, or due to an obsession over jawbreakers.

Osteoporosis:  Osteoporosis is a bone condition that weakens bones. As a result, even little hits might result in broken bones. While it is usually associated with the spine, hips, and wrists, it can also harm the jawbones that support the teeth, resulting in tooth loosening.

Pregnancy:  During pregnancy, increased estrogen and progesterone can damage the mouth’s bones and tissues, which causes changes in the periodontium that supports and holds the teeth in place. Teeth may feel loose if the periodontium is affected.

How to prevent tooth loss?

Now that we know the why behind tooth loss, let’s talk about prevention, fixes and maintaining oral hygiene with regular checkups. Here are a few ways in which you can ensure you don’t lose any teeth, at least anymore:

Splinting:  A piece of metal is used by your dentist to join two adjacent broken or split teeth together. This provides additional support for the loose tooth and prevents it from shifting.

Bite adjustment:  By removing small portions of tooth enamel, this technique reshapes the tooth’s biting surface. The pressure on the tooth is relieved, allowing it to recuperate. This is a possibility if you have a loose tooth due to grinding.

Flap surgery:  It is a procedure that involves the removal of a flap by performing a scaling and root planning operation that pulls back the gum tissue. After the treatment, the gum tissue is reattached.

Bone grafting:  It is a procedure that involves the grafting of bone from another part of your body or a special bone grafting substance to repair diseased bone in your mouth in cases of bone degradation.

Mouth protection:  Wearing a night guard while sleeping is also an option for grinding. Between the top and lower teeth, this forms a protective barrier.

Keep in mind that having loose teeth does not imply you have to lose your teeth permanently. Actively seek dental care as soon as you see any signs of a tooth loosening. Our experts at Bravo Dental can assist you with an effective treatment strategy to save your teeth.

If you are too late in reading this article, you can still reach out to us at Bravo Dental as we can hook you up with really comfortable partial or full dentures as well!

The 5 Best Ways to Fix Cracked Teeth

Maybe you slipped and hit yourself on the pavement once, or maybe you did something you shouldn’t have been doing, such as boxing without a mouth guard or pulling a nail out of the wall with your teeth; whatever it is you did, a cracked tooth is more serious than a chip.

But don’t worry. Your teeth can possibly be restored in a range of different ways based on the extent of damage.

Hard candies, ice, citrus, coffee, dried fruit, potato chips, soda, alcohol, and sports drinks are the top nine items that can lead to cavities and tooth decay, which weaken your teeth, making them more likely to shatter while biting down on hard foods.

However, this is 2021 – which mean you no longer have to live with cracked teeth or with a reluctant smile.

The 5 pathways to fixing your cracked teeth

Dental Bonding:

Chipped, cracked, decaying, discolored, malformed, and gapped teeth can be repaired by composite bonding. The composite used in bonding is hardened with UV radiation, and sculpted and polished to match the rest of your teeth, once cured. Composite bonding can have a ten-year lifespan.

Veneers:

Veneers are tooth-colored coverings. Porcelain veneers are used because they produce the most appealing and realistic results. Veneers can be applied to a single tooth or a group of teeth. And how you want your veneer to look is entirely up to you. For many people, this cosmetic therapy is an excellent choice. But Veneers may not be suggested for you if you grind your teeth too much, since teeth grinding will wear them down.

Crowns:

One of the most prevalent restorative procedures is crowns. A crown is a cap covering that protects the tooth while also improving its aesthetics as well. You may require a crown if your tooth is seriously damaged or you experience discomfort when eating or drinking. It protects your teeth by acting as a strong barrier since a damaged tooth probably won’t sustain chewing pressure without a crown.

Root Canal:

A root canal can be used to treat a tooth that has developed a break that has reached the pulp. A crown can be inserted following the root canal to prevent the fracture from further widening. A root canal includes extracting the nerve and cleaning out damaged materials to prevent any infection that could spread to other teeth. If left untreated, it could ultimately lead to an abscess, bone loss, or other severe complications.

Dental Implant:

If you have a crack in your tooth that extends past the gum line, it is no longer savable and will need to be extracted, which entails the removal of your tooth. Then, to replace your natural tooth, you can have a dental implant.

Whatever the damage, Bravo Dental‘s qualified and experienced dentists can help restore your cracked teeth. The best therapy for you will be determined with care by our dental experts, and an appropriate procedure can be followed. Call us at 1-888-682-7286 today!

Why Should You Whiten Your Teeth at the Dentist?

When selecting whether to whiten your teeth at home or at the dentist, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons of each option. While at-home teeth whitening is less expensive than professional teeth whitening, the outcomes of a professional teeth whitening are significantly superior and involve far less risk than what you can get with over-the-counter or at-home procedures.

Get better results in less than an hour:

The bleaching chemical, hydrogen peroxide will be present in both at-home and in-office solutions, regardless of the method you pick. Peroxide levels in in-office systems range from 15% to 43%, whereas peroxide levels in at-home procedures range from 3% to 20%. The bleaching chemical used at the dentist has a higher peroxide content, which whitens your teeth more effectively and in less time. Dentists utilise heat or light in addition to a high peroxide content to speed up the whitening process and increase the whitening results. Professional teeth whitening can generate a whiter smile 2 to 8 shades brighter than at-home treatments, which might take weeks or even months to see any noticeable improvements.

Brighter and longer-lasting smiles:

One of the most significant benefits of having your teeth whitened at the dentist is the treatment oversight before and during the procedure, ensuring satisfactory outcomes that at-home methods cannot guarantee.

Prior to teeth whitening, the dentist will inspect your teeth to ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure. The dentist will also evaluate which bleaching is appropriate for you. This can help you avoid any less-than-ideal outcomes.

The dental professional will clean your teeth and remove any plaque or tartar before administering the bleaching solution to achieve the best results. The dentist will ensure that nothing goes wrong during treatment and that the operation is as painless as possible, with minimal tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

Unlike most at-home whitening procedures (whitening toothpaste, baking soda, etc.) that remove plaque and discoloration from the surface of the teeth, professional whitening penetrates the teeth from the inside, where age and medication-related discolouration occurs.

Reduces risk of tooth sensitivity and damage:

Tooth discomfort and gum irritation are common side effects of teeth whitening. Too much time spent with the whitening gel on the teeth produces dehydration and discomfort. The peroxide agent might irritate your gums and cause pain when you eat certain foods if it gets on them. It’s far more likely that the patient may abuse at-home whitening solutions, resulting in sensitivity and pain, as well as leading to less-than-ideal outcomes. On the other hand, the dentist will safeguard your teeth and gums from harm by prepping them before applying the whitening solution.

In essence, when weighing the health hazards of at-home whitening treatments against the various benefits of professional teeth whitening, the latter is unquestionably the wiser choice.

Book your teeth whitening session with your local Bravo Dental today!

A Guide To How You Can fix Your Misaligned Teeth

Your oral health may be affected severely if you see your teeth are misaligned. Malocclusion, or misaligned teeth, is a frequent problem caused by simple crowding of teeth or childhood activities such as thumb-sucking. It’s critical to fix these dental flaws if you want to keep your teeth healthy.

In many cases, poor teeth alignment and bite are caused by congenital causes. Facial development and hereditary factors also play a part. It could also be caused by gum, tooth loss, or wear and tear in adulthood.

A malocclusion can cause both practical and cosmetic issues, compromising the ability to chew and, in rare cases, our ability to speak or smile, adversely affecting confidence.

Is it possible to restore severely crooked teeth?

Yes, but due to mouth shape, tooth placement, and other variables, each case of misaligned teeth is unique. Here are a few methods that can work well to align your misaligned teeth.

Orthodontic treatment: For slightly misaligned teeth, orthodontic treatment with various types of braces is the best option. This will straighten the teeth using traditional fixed braces, internal lingual braces, clear aligners like Invisalign, or a mix of the same, depending on the severity of the misalignment and the specific situation. When you visit our office, we’ll analyse your teeth and determine which type of braces will be most effective for you.

Orthognathic Surgery: In an exceptional situation, if there are major anomalies in jaw growth and development, a corrective jaw surgery may be required in addition to orthodontic treatment. However, this is a rare occurrence, and improved orthodontic treatment procedures suggest that many of these cases can now be resolved without the need for jaw surgery.

Therapeutic post-procedure treatments:

Restorative work may be required after braces have been used to correct the teeth, such as if the teeth are undersized or misshapen, or in adults whose teeth have been impacted by disease, wear, or damage.

After the teeth have been straightened, there may be aesthetic concerns, such as the corners of the teeth not being of the same size or a variation in color between the misaligned teeth. Simple restorative treatments like composite bonding, fillings, and whitening are usually used, but in more severe tooth situations, like structural deterioration, restorations such as veneers or crowns may be required.

How long will it take to fix your misaligned teeth?

Each treatment solution and each patient will consume a different amount of time from the last. Depending on the individual instance and severity of the malocclusion, orthodontic treatments might take anywhere between six months to 3 years. It is necessary to use a retainer after your braces are removed to keep your teeth in their new locations. Also, proper brushing techniques after every meal or snack, and avoiding hard or sticky items that could harm or become lodged in braces are some of the things that have to be considered a part of the procedure.

Bravo Dental to the rescue

Bravo Dental’s skilled team of expert specialists will be able to determine the best treatment choice for your misaligned teeth and will be with you throughout the process to ensure that the result, not to mention the process, is ideal for you.

Get rid of your Cavities with these four dental treatments

Cavities are one of the foremost dental issues. Cavities (or rotting teeth) are incidentally also one of the most prevalent health issues that people confront worldwide. Cavities can affect both children and adults, and surprisingly even in infants.

What exactly is a Cavity?

A cavity can be defined as the decayed part of a tooth. Cavities arise when the hard outer coating of a tooth is worn down or eroded by acids in the mouth (enamel).

Bacteria can be found in everyone’s mouth. Bacteria present in our mouth convert sugar, from sugary foods we consume, into acid. Plaque forms on your teeth as soon as you drink or eat something sweet. As a direct result, tooth enamel can be damaged. And this hightens the risk of cavities as decay increases.

What are the different kinds of cavities?

All layers of a tooth can be affected by dental decay. The part of the tooth that the affectation starts defines the type of decay:

Smooth surface: This cavity removes tooth enamel over time. Brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings can help prevent — and even reverse — this kind of decay. Unfortunately, this type is very common amongst people in their twenties.

Pit and fissure decay: Cavities that grow on the chewing surface of the tooth is called a pit fissure decay. Although pit and fissure deterioration usually begins in adolescence and advances swiftly, it is very common in children, as they tend to eat a lot of sweet and candied food articles.

Root decay: This type of decay is more common in older individuals whose gums have receded. As the tooth’s root is exposed to plaque and acid due to gum recession, this decay affects the root of the teeth first, and then progresses to the rest of the teeth.

4 methods of tooth decay treatment:

Fluoride Treatment: It is a method of removing fluoride from the body. This therapy option may be used if your cavity is still in its early stages. It aids in the restoration of the tooth’s afflicted enamel and the reversal of the cavity. In comparison to toothpaste and mouth rinses, these treatments involve a larger dose of fluoride. To reverse cavities, you can use a gel, liquid, foam, or varnish that you brush on your teeth.

Fillings: When cavities advance beyond the mild stages, fillings or restorations are commonly used as treatment. Different materials, such as dental amalgam or porcelain, are used to create these fillings.

Root canals: You may need a root canal treatment if the cavity advances to the tooth’s inner layers, the pulp. Rather than extracting the damaged teeth, this therapy restores them. Again, medications are used to reduce the risk of infection. A filler is then used to replace the degraded pulp.

Extraction of teeth: Dentists tend to extract teeth in severe cases, where the rot has entirely damaged the tooth and there is no chance of reversing the damage.

Early detection and care can save a tooth – you can opt for a filling or other less invasive procedures. But you need a thorough analysis of the damage first! Visit us at Bravo dental and get rid of those painful cavities, now!

Major 5 symptoms that indicate your wisdom teeth are impacted

The Teeth is one of the most overlooked parts of our body, at least until problems emerge. One of the main issues generally seen is the eruption of wisdom teeth, which in many cases necessitates surgical extraction. Wisdom teeth could have unforeseen complications if not treated early.

Wisdom Teeth:

Wisdom teeth is the last set of teeth to break through the gums and are located in the back of your mouth. They can appear and develop at any time during adolescence, and by your mid-twenties, they will either have fully emerged or semi-emerged, and becomes highly susceptible to infections, and would need to be removed as quickly as possible.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

When wisdom teeth are hindered by surrounding teeth and don’t have enough room to develop fully, they become impacted. They can harm neighbouring teeth and cause severe pain and inflammation in the mouth and jaw if left untreated. Two ways the wisdom teeth can be impacted: partially impacted (some tooth is visible) and fully impacted (every tooth is under the gum line).

It is not necessary to extract an impacted tooth just because it is impacted. Some wisdom teeth are positioned so that removing them increases the risk of complications compared to leaving them alone. Only an oral surgeon is equipped to analyse and determine whether wisdom teeth are impacted.

The following are the major symptoms of impacted teeth:

A tooth that is positioned incorrectly and has the potential to injure neighbouring teeth.
Improper tooth location leads to crowding and misalignment of the other teeth, particularly after earlier orthodontic treatment.
A partially erupted wisdom tooth presents an ideal environment for germs, leading to persistent infection, gum disease, decay, and pain.
Pericoronitis is an inflammation formed in the gums around a partially erupted tooth, which is why wisdom teeth are frequently associated with it. It commonly happens in and around the tooth’s thin “flap” of tissue.
The formation of harmful cysts around wisdom teeth can erode jaw bone and lead to tooth loss, infection, or potentially pathologic jaw fracture.

Impacted teeth treatments:

Regular teeth maintenance: Fully impacted teeth aren’t always medically removed if they’re asymptomatic. So, if you choose to leave asymptomatic impacted teeth alone, it’s critical to maintain regular dental treatment so that any changes can be detected quickly.

Surgical Extraction: Whether or not impacted wisdom teeth produce symptoms, they can be surgically removed. Anaesthesia will help you stay comfortable throughout the process.

Don’t put it off; consult a dentist about wisdom tooth care procedures as soon as possible. Choosing to put up with the discomfort will worsen the situation and lead to more difficulties that may strain your health and your budget.

Obtain a referral as soon as the teeth begin to erupt, if at all possible. Recovery is generally easier when a person is younger or if the teeth haven’t yet pushed through. In addition, preventative measures and treatment can go a long way toward keeping a person healthy.

If you start seeing any of these symptoms and need help determining a diagnosis or treatment plan, consult us at Bravo Dental.

How can coronavirus affect your oral health?

It’s evident that the Corona Virus isn’t your typical viral illness. The virus can affect your respiratory system, eyes, immunity, and skin in a variety of ways, causing a slew of issues. Symptoms can continue for a long time, even after recovery in some cases.

Doctors have also observed patients with weaker gums and enamel loss, which could be one of the most unusual post-COVID symptoms.

There isn’t any direct evidence that COVID-19 is linked to poor oral health. Few studies, however, suggest that poor dental health may play a role in the development of COVID-19 symptoms. The virus has been proved to have an enormous impact on blood flow, which could be one cause for this. The coronavirus has been shown to disrupt critical blood flow in the body, resulting in a number of clots and uneven blood flow. Considering that the oral cavity is filled with a large number of blood vessels, decreased or compromised blood flow could have a serious impact on oral health. This, in turn, could be a possible explanation for how the virus damages and weakens oral health, resulting in tooth decay, gum disease, and bleeding.

How is COVID-19 linked with Gum disease?

As we understand more about COVID-19, we start to see its link to various medical disorders and complications in infected patients. According to a new study, gum illness has been linked to catastrophic COVID-19 outcomes and other medical issues. To comprehend how gum disease is linked to COVID-19, it’s necessary to first grasp how gum disease is linked to other health issues and its impact.

Gum disease is a type of dental illness that affects the teeth’s supporting components, such as the gum tissue and bones surrounding them. Gum disease differs from tooth decay in that it results in holes in the bones that support the teeth’s roots. Cavities are created by tooth decay. Gum disease is so frequent that it affects 90 percent of the population. It is primarily caused by a lack of daily brushing and flossing and not visiting the dentist on a regular basis.

Post effects of COVID-19:

Bacteria that latch to the teeth and produce dental plaque might accumulate as a result of poor oral care. This is a common cause of gingivitis. A person with a severe disease like COVID-19 may be less likely to practise appropriate oral hygiene. This promotes the growth of dental plaque, which raises the risk of gingivitis. Bleeding gums may potentially be an indication of COVID-19, according to some studies.

Dental experts are trying to identify whether the growth in oral disorders during the pandemic is attributable to COVID-19 or secondary factors such as stress, bad posture, or other problems. Despite the lack of clear evidence linking COVID-19 to oral health, people should aim to maintain appropriate personal and oral hygiene as a disease preventive strategy.

Consult our experts at Bravo Dental and take care of your oral health from the effects of COVID-19.

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Things you need to know about COVID’s impact on your Oral Hygiene and vice versa

Researchers are learning more about how deadly COVID-19 is as it continues to spread across the world. While everyone is aware that this condition can have devastating effects on your lungs, you might be startled to learn that other sections of your body are also at risk.

Here’s what we are talking about: can COVID actually affect your oral health?

Many case studies have pointed to the affirmative. COVID-19 has various oral health impacts, ranging from tooth discoloration, weaker gums, tooth loss, and other dental illnesses. Few have realized that their teeth problems are a part of their post-covid recovery difficulties. However, the exact reason for these health issues is still unclear.

How can COVID- 19 affect your Oral health:

Blood Flow: The proper flow of blood is necessary for maintaining good dental health. COVID-19 alters the flow of blood throughout the body, which can have serious long-term consequences, according to growing studies. This is most noticeable in the teeth, which can quickly turn grey and fall out. Similarly, the jaws may be impacted because the abundant supply of blood arteries to the oral cavity may be harmed by reduced or disturbed blood flow.

ACE2 Receptors: ACE2 receptors, which are proteins that help with vascular functions in the body, are found in your cells. The mouth and lungs, or the body areas related to breathing, have more ACE2 receptors. So, when the coronavirus enters the body, it latches on to ACE2 receptors, making it easy for the disease to start impacting your dental health as well.

Cavities: One of the virus’s favourite places to attach itself is Cavities. Cavities, according to research, are a COVID-19 entry point. Therefore, it’s critical to get cavities treated and invest in dental health as soon as possible to continue to protect yourself from this severe condition. Additionally, many different viruses can impact the immune system, causing germs to build up in the mouth and causing a slew of other problems.

How to take care of your Oral Hygiene during COVID:

People may take less care of their oral health during the covid infection as it may not seem a priority at the time, but it looks like COVID itself could be a reason as to why their dental health has suddenly deteriorated post-covid. However, whether you have COVID or not, your dental health is something you must maintain to avoid decay and disease transmission.

Our advice:

Brush your teeth twice every day. Make sure to get those hard-to-reach areas. Flossing once a day would help remove bacteria and plaque from places that your toothbrush can’t reach. Avoid sticky, sugary foods like cake and cookies, and eat a well-balanced diet.

Sugary drinks, including soda and fruit juices, should be avoided since they can affect tooth surfaces. Instead, drink a lot of water before, during, and after meals. Also, avoid smoking since it reduces blood flow to the mouth, making bacteria easier to develop.

Visit us at Bravo Dental for more dental care tips that could possibly save more than just your teeth. Stay safe!