Why does my dentist recommend fluoride treatment when I use a fluoridated toothpaste?
Widespread use of fluoride in mouth rinses, gels, toothpastes and dietary supplements has been a major factor in the decline in prevalence and severity of dental caries.
Topical application of fluoride helps build (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel and reverse early signs of tooth decay. It is particularly beneficial to patients going through orthodontic treatment where dental hygiene maintenance is challenging and dry mouths resulting from radiation treatments, chemotherapy and from side effects of medications. The topical application leaves a protective smear layer of fluoride that a toothpaste cannot.
Why do I wake up in the morning with a sore jaw?
A sore jaw and a dull constant headache are telltale signs of teeth grinding at night. Teeth grinding occurs during sleep and most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. Although teeth grinding can be caused by anxiety and stress, it often is caused by abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth.
Chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening or loss of teeth. Severe grinding can wear teeth down to stumps often resulting in need for major dental reconstruction.
Your dentist can fit you with a mouthguard to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep.
Both my parents lost their teeth early in life, should I be preparing for dentures?
Dentistry has come a long way through the past few decades. We have a better understanding of the causes of tooth loss and have the ability to prevent this loss with effective intervention procedures. For patients that have prematurely lost their teeth, several restorative options are available including implants. Implant procedures enjoy a 98% success rate and have gotten popular and more affordable.
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