Day: August 22, 2019

Dental

The Importance of General and Cosmetic Dentistry

General Dentistry

The term general dentistry refers to a set of dental procedures and services, purposely carried out to ensure that the oral health of the patient is at its peak, and the health of the natural teeth is taken care of for as long as possible. Dental health is just as important as the health of the rest of the body. Many medical researchers have claimed that there is a correlation between general body illnesses and infections affecting the mouth, for instance, certain intestinal diseases. It’s therefore important that one ensures their oral health, which includes tissues in the mouth, teeth, jaws, gum, and tongue, are properly taken care of on a regular basis.

General Dentists

Every development stage in life is accompanied by its own unique set of dental concerns. According to an expert general dentist in Rockwall, people should start taking proper dental hygiene measures at a very early age, when their teeth are all still healthy and in good shape. Dental problems such as decaying of the teeth, discoloration, and misalignment can be easily detected in their early stages and treated before the condition escalates.

A qualified general dentist must be a well-trained individual, equipped with the proper skills to adequately handle all these dental conditions. Apart from the rigorous studies they have to go through in school, they must also pursue additional studies every once in a while, in order to stay updated with the current methods of treatment and modern technological advancements.

Getting the Perfect Look

In addition to general dental procedures, a great general dentist will also add a blend of cosmetic dentistry procedures to their skill set in order to ensure the state of the patient’s teeth is restored both functionally and aesthetically. Regular checkups, dentures, dental implants, root canals, Invisalign and bridges are some of the common cosmetic dentistry procedures they can do.

Today, achieving the perfect dental look has become an obsession for many people, leading to an insatiable demand for general and cosmetic dentists. A smile mirrors part of an individual’s self, and having a charming one is an integral part of one’s social standing. The confidence and self- esteem of an individual is greatly boosted by a perfect smile on both social and professional settings. General and cosmetic dentists work hand in hand to make certain that their clients get the flawless smiles they want, and the peak dental health they are searching for.

Undergoing the Procedure

Contrary to what many may think, the main purpose of cosmetic surgery is not to improve one’s oral health, but to enhance the appearance of their teeth and smile, though there are procedures that exist merely for health purposes. Each procedure takes a different duration of time. For instance, there are procedures that take minutes, while others take a day (or days) to be completed.

Thus, depending on the chosen procedure, the appearance of one’s teeth can change either overnight or after some time. All the procedures are painless, due to the use of anesthesia and sedation drugs. Sedation allows the patient to sleep during the entire procedure while anesthesia numbs only the area being worked upon, thereby allowing the patient to see what is happening. Fear of pain should therefore not prevent anyone from visiting the dentist.

 

Dental

Treatment Options for Teeth Discoloration

Tooth discoloration

Tooth discoloration generally manifests in the form of surface stains appearing below the surface of the tooth within the enamel. This condition is caused by a variety of external factors, such as certain types of food and drinks, aging, smoking, dental diseases or poor oral care. In most cases, patients may have brown, yellow or dark stains on the surface of their teeth. Socially, discolored teeth have a strong impact on one’s self-image, thus experts in cosmetic dentistry in Newport Beach, California, focus on providing unique dental procedures and oral care advice to people to help them restore the white teeth color. Such procedures include composite bonding, and teeth whitening, among others.

Causes of tooth discoloration

The leading catalyst in teeth staining is the intake of food and drinks that have sugar content way above the recommended thresholds. Industrial sugars found in most beverages, sweets, and foods nourish bacteria, which slowly wear out the enamel (which is characteristically white) exposing the yellow dentine. This can produce a look that is less attractive and dingy than what was there before. Specialists in cosmetic dentistry have also identified tobacco smoking or chewing khat as a major extrinsic cause of teeth staining. Additionally, medical treatments like chemotherapy and infection of pregnant mothers are other risk factors associated with serious dental discoloration. Remedies for tooth discoloration include composite bonding and bleaching.

Composite bonding

Composite bonding is a dental technique where the discolored tooth is medically restored by scrubbing out the yellow stain on the surface of the tooth and replacing it with another substance that resembles the enamel, technically called a composite. This procedure is also very effective for patients who have cracked teeth. In cosmetic dentistry, composite bonding not only corrects tooth defects but improves the appearance of the tooth. This technique requires a qualified dentist and is used to curb both extrinsic and intrinsic tooth discoloration.

Enamel Microabrasion

This dental procedure involves removal of the surface stains on the teeth by use of a mild form of hydrochloric acid and silicon carbide. The two are dissolved in water forming a paste, which is then applied on the enamel to give a smooth crystal clear appearance. It’s one of the methods used in patients with advanced teeth stains.

Bleaching

Teeth yellowing can also be removed by polishing it with chemical agents such as bleaching, prophylactic pastes, or carbamide peroxide. An important remedy for discoloration of teeth are bleaching agents which are available for vital bleaching and non-vital bleaching. A mouthwash with carbamide and hydrogen peroxide under a dentist prescription will eliminate the dingy look over a period of time. It should be noted that the use of hydrogen peroxide at 15-40% concentrations must be performed by a qualified dentist to obtain effective results. Patients can also use a 10-22% daily mouth gargle of carbamide peroxide as a homemade remedy. This remedy is effective if used under prescription for at least two to six weeks.

Proper dietary habits

Extrinsic staining caused by foods, beverages, or habits can be controlled by strict adherence to recommended lifestyle guides from qualified specialists. Regular tooth brushing is one of the most effective traditional methods of oral care. Recommended types of toothpaste contain active ingredients that prevent tooth decay and discoloration. Brushing of teeth should be done twice a day and any other time prescribed by a dentist.

 

Juul lawsuit
Health

The Effect of Vaping and Smoking on your Health

Smoking and vaping of e-cigarette is an increasing practice in the United States. Tobacco companies are coming up with different types of tobacco products to meet the growing demand in the market, and little can be done to reduce the impact of smoking on addicts. Vaping involves inhalation of the e-cigarette vapour.

Although it is considered a “decent” way of smoking, it still affects your body as the traditional cigars do. Don’t be surprised that these companies can still be sued for damages associated with their products. Recently, Lake County State’s attorney in Illinois filed the Juul lawsuit alleging that the company violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act by promoting the product to teens.

Effects of vaping and smoking

1.  Reduced immunity

Juul lawsuit

Everybody has a natural immunity that helps their body to fight diseases. This immunity diminishes with every puff of smoke you inhale. Smoking e-cigarettes release nicotine, a compound present in tobacco, which reduces the flow of blood in the body. Nicotine slows the body’s circulatory system and the heart’s ability to pump blood smoothly.

Smoking affects the flow of blood to your mouth veins, thereby inhibiting its ability to fight bacteria. Frequent smoking and vaping will often result in common periodontal diseases such as bleeding gums and tooth decay.

2. Damage on the respiratory system

Smoking and vaping of e-cigarettes results in the blocking of the respiratory tract. The toxic smoke from e-cigarettes removes the essential immune genes on the respiratory system. This way, it becomes difficult for smokers to breathe well after some time.

Note that some modern cigarettes are manufactured with harmful flavours that may also affect your overall oral health. Although the flavours used in the e-cigarettes give it a sweet smell, it makes the product more toxic to your body’s respiratory system.

3. Dental complications

 

Smoke from e-cigarettes is harmful to your teeth. Your mouth is the most affected part of the body when you smoke. The smoke from cigarettes lands on your teeth enamel weakening it. In time, you begin to develop tooth decay and sensitivity. When you have sensitive teeth, it is such a difficult task to eat hot and cold food. Studies show that over 70 harmful chemicals are present in the cigarette smoke. A significant percentage of these chemicals affect your teeth directly.

4. Heart attack

Juul lawsuit

This the most significant effect of smoking and vaping on your body. According to a recent study by the University of North Carolina, smoking and vaping of e-cigarettes can result in cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrest. Smoking increases your chances of contracting heart complications by making your body more exposed to inflammations.

5. Smoking slows healing

Smokers take longer on hospital beds compared to non-smokers. As a smoker, if you undergo medical surgery, it would take longer for your incisions to heal. This is because smoking reduces the amount of oxygen present in your blood components. It is advisable to quit smoking four weeks before you go for surgery to improve the oxygen supply in your body and boost your blood platelets activity.

Conclusion

Most vaping and smoking products can be grouped under harmful drugs. Given the dangers of smoking e-cigarettes, it is advisable to quit smoking and vaping. In case of severe addiction, you can visit a rehabilitation centre to help you quit the drug. Lastly, you can sue the e-cigarette manufacturer for ‘bad drug’ if you feel the drug has affected your oral health.