Bravo Dental Archives - Page 3 of 3

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.

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.

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!

Top 7 tooth whitening methods to bring back your sparkling smile

Tooth whitening is a safe and effective approach to bring out the natural colour of your teeth without affecting any of the enamel. It won’t drastically change the colour of your teeth, but it will remove that dullness that’s killing the charm of your smile!

People with healthy teeth and gums without any fillings are ideal for teeth whitening. Individuals with yellow teeth get the highest results. However, this cosmetic operation is not for everyone.

There are a lot of reasons why you would want to whiten your teeth. Everyone person is unique in the way they look, and your teeth are no exception in making you stand out. Just as our hair and skin colours differ, so do our teeth. But teeth essentially react the same way to certain elements.

There are various elements to look out for: drinks like tea, coffee, and red wine can stain the surface of your teeth. Smoking can darken the teeth. The appearance of your teeth might also be affected by tartar.

Methods of Teeth Whitening:

In-Office Bleaching: Teeth whitening by a trained professional produces amazing effects. This procedure is usually done in a dental clinic and takes only a little more than an hour. Although, in-office bleaching is more expensive, the instant effects of the procedure can make this more than gratifying.

Tray-based Whitener: Tray-based whitening systems involve filling a mouth guard-like apparatus with a gel whitening solution containing a peroxide bleaching agent and wearing it for a period of time. It can take a few hours to four weeks to show results. Custom-made trays from your dentist can be crafted to suit your teeth perfectly. If your trays don’t fit properly, the bleaching agent may come into connection with your gums, irritating gum tissue and causing other oral hygiene problems.

Whitening Toothpaste: Surface stains on your teeth can only be removed using whitening toothpaste. They contain abrasives, polishing agents, and chemical agents that help remove stains. Because the chemicals are finer than ordinary toothpaste, they do not cause significant tooth wear.

Teeth-whitening strips: These over-the-counter whitening strips are relatively inexpensive, simple to use, and most of them work. Whitening strips are covered with a peroxide-based whitening gel and applied twice daily for 14 days, for 30 minutes each time. The effects last around four months.

Whitening Gels: Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels applied to the surface of your teeth with a tiny brush. The first results appear after a few days, and the final results last for roughly four months.

Whitening Rinses: Whitening rinses, like other mouthwashes, refresh breath and help reduce dental plaque and gum. Because a rinse only comes into contact with the teeth for two minutes every day, it can take up to 12 weeks to generate results. It is usually less effective than other over-the-counter whitening treatments.

Other Ways: Whitening chewing gum, dental floss, and mouthwashes are just a few of the new teeth whitening products these days. While these solutions are unique, there isn’t much information available about their effectiveness.

If you’re still confused about which approach is ideal for you, see us at Bravo Dental, where our teeth whitening specialists can guide you on the best treatment that would suit your teeth.

Vacation season is in full swing

The 2021 vacation season is in full swing, perhaps not as spectacularly as many of us had imagined, but the world needs to turn.

People after growing increasingly anxious about their careers as jobs become more demanding, where putting in long hours at the expense of other crucial elements of life is a norm has found their way through it by taking a break. When you work from home, it might not be easy to distinguish between business and personal time. Consequently, this can lead to stress. Taking vacations can make you stop worrying about stress.

Vacations have been pushed to the bottom of our priority list most of the time, but now many have realized after going on vacations that they’re just as vital to good life, as much as nutrition and wellness. Vacations have been proved, in numerous studies, to be helpful to one’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Despite these findings, people’s vacation numbers are dismal even before the COVID-19 crisis.

What can Vacations do to your life:

Stress: Vacations are good for your mental health and wellbeing. When you are under immense pressure at work, your body reacts with a fight or flight survival response. Being stressed stops you from thinking straight and impedes your analytical and decision-making skills at work. Vacations can reduce anxiety, stress, and give time to get back to work with a clear mind. Giving yourself a break from the everyday activities that get you stressed is of paramount importance to your good health.

Health: 21% people who do not take vacations have a higher risk of illness-causing hypertension. Vacations are considered as an exciting way to invest in your good health. A correlation between participants who used about two weeks of their paid vacation days and a metabolic syndrome incidence was found. As the number of vacations, you take increases, the incidence of metabolic syndrome and its symptoms, decreases.

Productivity: Studies show that if you don’t take vacations, you’ll be less productive. Long stretches of work without a break, results in impatience, impedes your decision-making skills, cause miscommunication, and lead to more sick days. When you take a vacation, you reverse all of this and return with more energy, an upbeat attitude, and increased productivity. Although it may initially sound counterintuitive, vacations improve your productivity.

Biggest investment: You are the most important resource for accumulating riches in your life. Vacations are the ideal investment that will increase your value over time. A vacation is an opportunity to broaden your horizons by seeing new locations, participating in new activities, and creating lasting memories. You meet exciting and remarkable individuals as a bonus, and you form relationships that benefit personal and professional life.

Family time: Work sometimes forces you to make a certain compromises in your relationships, particularly those with your family. You miss out on family gatherings and frequent bonding chances because job demands take precedence.

Conclusion

Life is simple, and yet a finite resource. Don’t shorten it by skipping vacations. The secret to a successful vacation is to have fun and take a mental break from work for a few days.

Vacations are a few days of rest and recreation spent with family and friends.

A Pain-Free Life is not far from reality with Root Canal Treatments

Most people attend a dental facility when they have acute tooth pain. The fundamental pitfall is that when people are not aware that a specific problem exists, they are ignorant, as is so with dental health, where everything begins with minor concerns that, if ignored, can progress to major ones. The decision to visit a dentist is usually triggered by acute pains in the mouth that intensify and radiate, usually caused by an inflamed and or infected tooth.

When an examination indicates that the tooth’s pulp is infected, the patient must decide to take on a root canal.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic root canal therapy, is a frequent and successful endodontic technique for extracting the infected parts from inside the affected/infected tooth and protecting it against infection and spread to adjacent teeth.

Public opinion is that Root canal treatments are generally painful. However, there is no reason to be scared of undergoing this procedure. We live in an era of advanced technology, allowing us to get through the process quick and hassle-free. Plus, thank God for modern anaesthetic procedures. With a simple anaesthetic administration, you feel absolutely no pain throughout the procedure.

So, what does a root canal entail? It’s usually a three-step procedure in which the material inside a tooth’s root canal, including nerve tissue, is removed. Following that, the canal is cleaned and sealed with a dental substance or filling. A crown, which covers and protects the tooth for a long time, is often the final step.

Significant Benefits of Root Canal Treatment:

Pain-Free Procedure: Root canal treatment is practically painless, and you will likely have less difficulty throughout recovery than if your natural tooth is extracted. Patients who undergo root canals are six times more likely to describe the procedure as painless, especially with current techniques and suitable anaesthetics, than those who have a tooth pulled.
Efficient and cost-effective: Due to the extreme follow-up appointments required for a denture, bridge, or implant, tooth extraction has longer treatment timelines than root canal treatments. Also, the costs may be higher. Additionally, most dental insurance policies usually cover endodontic root canal treatments.
Enhanced oral hygiene: Poor dental health has been cited as a reason for heart diseases and respiratory infections in several studies. Non-maintenance of adequate dental hygiene might also lead to gastrointestinal illnesses. As a result, having an infected tooth might pose a severe threat to your health. Undergoing root canal treatment can be of immense help.

Are you concerned about an aching tooth? Do you suffer teeth sensitivity to warm or cold consumables, gum swelling or bleeding, or even intestinal pain? Consider connecting with our expert dentists at Bravo Dental, who can help you with a thorough diagnosis to solve all your dental problems.