Month: September 2021

We can define a root canal as a dental treatment that entails removing the soft center of the tooth, also known as pulp. The pulp of the teeth comprises connective tissue and blood vessels that foster the growth of the teeth. A root canal treatment is needed when a tooth’s pulp is inflamed, infected, or compromised in one or the other ways. Some typical damage inducing factors to the pulp is:

• Deep dental decay because of an untreated cavity.
• A chip or crack on the tooth.
• Multiple products done on the same tooth over some time.
• An injury to the tooth that seeps into the pulp.

A root canal is a painful procedure. Depending on the person, the process can be mildly painful or excruciatingly painful. Therefore, many people are always on the lookout for alternatives to root canal treatment. In case you are one of them, then continue reading ahead.

Top 4 Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment 

1. Direct Pulp Capping: It is a dental treatment that can be utilized among people suffering from severe damage or decay exposing the pulp. The process involves placing some inert substances directly above the exposed pulp to produce a mineral barrier, which protects the exposed pulp and promotes tissue repair. Some of the common substances used in Direct Pulp Capping are calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).
2. Indirect Pulp Capping: It is a procedure that protects a decayed or damaged tooth that does not have any exposed pulp. The dentist treats the cavities and protects the dentin by using a protective lining. Moreover, the dentist may also remove decayed dentin and leave the decay that is near the pulp. 
3. Pulpotomy: It is a procedure wherein the pulp of a tooth is removed. It is done when the pulp has been exposed and overly compromised. The main difference between a root canal treatment and Pulpotomy is that the root canals and the tooth nerves are preserved in the latter. The infected pulp is removed during a Pulpotomy, and inert material is added inside the tooth to facilitate faster healing and prevent bacterial infection. After that, the tooth’s inside is filled, and a crown is placed on top to restore and protect it from damage. Pulpotomy is commonly done on children, and it is performed on adults as a temporary substitute for a root canal. 
4. Extraction: A dentist recommends extraction in cases of severe damage to the teeth or irreversible tooth decay impacts. Mostly, extractions are done when the root canal seems ineffective. Some extractions are simple, and we can do them at a dentist’s office. In contrast, others need to be overlooked by an oral surgeon. After a tooth is removed by extraction, some ways to deal with the space include dental implants, dental bridges, and partial dentures.

A root canal may be painful and seem intimidating, but it is a crucial procedure necessary for the long-term health of your teeth and gums. But, you can also go for the alternatives mentioned above if there is scope.

Book your appointment now and get your dental issues resolved!

Chewing gum can have positive or negative impacts on your health, depending on who you ask. As a result, chewing gum serves as an imperfect combination of health benefits for your teeth and overall health. Getting to the bottom of this important question, we will need to understand how chewing gum affects both your mouth and your entire body.

Chewing Gum Ingredients: Are They Safe?

Gums are generally considered safe to chew. A chewing gum can contain some ingredients that are controversial. However, some brands contain only a small amount. There are still many cases where the quantities are much lower than those considered to harm.

Chewing gum has the following effects:

• Artificial sweeteners most commonly found in chewing gum have a negative impact on health whether or not the gum contains sugar.
• According to a 2013 research study on eating habits, chewing gum reduces the consumption of healthy foods like vegetables and fruits and increases consumption of unhealthy foods like potato chips and candy. Tooth decay can result from eating less healthy foods.
• By chewing gum, mercury amalgam fillings can be released.
• The chewing of sugar-sweetened gum can also cause tooth decay and erosion. You are essentially soaking your gums and teeth in a bath of sugar when you chew sugar-sweetened gum for a prolonged period of time.

Dental health benefits of chewing gum

It has been proved that sugar-free gum can help prevent caries; however other benefits to oral health are less clear. By chewing sugar-free chewing gum, you can stimulate the flow of saliva, which is good for your teeth in many ways. 

• Sugars are more rapidly cleared from the body when the flow rate is higher.
• As a result of saliva’s high pH and buffering capacity, plaque pH is neutralized after a sugar challenge.
• Studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum enhances the remineralization of early caries-like lesions as well as reducing the incidence of caries in kids. 

What’s the deal with sugar-free gum?

It is helpful for parents to share this tip with their children and teens, as they often chew gum. It would be best if you only let them choose sugarless gum instead of sugary bubble gum, which can have the reverse effect and build up plaque. Many types of sugarless gums bear the American Dental Association seal of approval on their packaging. When buying gum for yourself or your family, look for the seal in case you are unsure about which gums promote oral health best.

It’s important to remember (and to remind children) that gum-chewing is not an alternative to a regular oral hygiene routine of twice-daily brushing and proper flossing using quality dental products.

Chewing gum comes in many varieties, including sugary, sweet candies. Rather than reaching for an indulgent packet of gum that could damage your teeth, be sure to read the package and look for one that is sugar-free and contains ingredients that can help fight plaque and tooth decay. It will be beneficial to your teeth.

A bad bite, alternately known as malocclusion, is a condition wherein the upper and lower teeth are not appropriately aligned. A poor bite is one of the most prevalent dental disorders, and ironically the most neglected as well. A bad bite can be congenital, or as a result from childhood habits like thumb sucking. There exist numerous adverse consequences of a bad bite, and some of them are:

• Speech difficulties
• Dry mouth
• Tongue biting
• Early wearing down of the enamel.
• Swallowing issues
• Cosmetic alteration of the face
• Interference with chewing
• Upper teeth bite into the lower gums, or the lower set of teeth may bite onto the mouth’s roof. Both of them can happen simultaneously, as well.

Types of Bad Bites

There are several types of bad bites. The most common ones are:

1. Overbite: It occurs when the top row of teeth extends beyond the booth row, resulting in a misaligned jaw. Overbite also manifests as the exaggerated protruding of the front teeth.
2. Underbite: It is a problem in which the lower set of teeth is not aligned with the top row.
3. Crowded Teeth: As the name suggests, it is a condition of inadequate space in the mouth for permanent teeth to grow straight.

Symptoms of a Bad Bite

The outward substantiation of a bad bite is expected but not universal. Many people may suffer from malocclusion and not experience cosmetic facial altercations. Therefore, it becomes essential to look out for other symptoms that may emerge.

Pain in a specific tooth is generally due to a cavity, but it could also imply that one tooth is bearing the brunt of your poor bite and consequent disheveled chewing. Furthermore, if biting and chewing cause pain in the jaw up to the ear, then it is a massive warning sign of malocclusion or a bad bite. It is noteworthy that a rapid and noticeable wearing down of teeth could be a strong indicator of a bad bit.

Treatments of a Bad Bite

There exist several dental procedures to correct a bad bite. From therapy to orthodontic appliances, the paths to achieve a healthy set of teeth are many.

Braces and clear aligners are the go-to solutions when it comes to fixing a bad bite. The dentist may also opt for retainers in case of a mild malocclusion. A procedure called neuromuscular dentistry is increasingly being utilized by experts to fix a poor bite. It is centered on the careful balance and cooperation of all the muscles and tissues that make up the mouth and jaw. Other standard fixing methods include surgery, teeth removal, etc.

It is noteworthy to mention that early treatment is always advisable in case of a bad bite. The chances of fixing the malocclusion inflate when treatment is meted out at a younger age. Although experts can resolve the condition among adults, it usually takes longer, and the procedure becomes more expensive. Furthermore, the chances of requiring surgery increase when an adult suffers from a poor bite.

Good oral health entails many things. If you thought restoring pearly whites, fighting tooth decay, preventing cavities, and aligning crooked or impacted teeth were the only things you needed to worry about, then you are missing out on something. 

Gums’ health is the most overlooked part of dental care. We mostly do not pay attention to the appearance of our gums or whether they are infected and inflamed. 

Most Common Gum Problem

Gum recession is one of the most common complications that can affect your periodontal health. There are many reasons for gum recession like aggressive brushing, orthodontic treatments, having thin gum tissues, etc.

If you have had a history of gum diseases due to bacteria resulting from poor oral hygiene or gingivitis, then gum recession could pose serious issues. If gum recession is left untreated, it will expose the roots of your teeth, which can cause sensitivity and make your teeth prone to decay and abrasion.

A gum graft can reverse these ill effects and restore the health of your gums. 

What Exactly is Gum Tissue Graft?

Do not panic if your dentist said that your gums need grafting, as gum surgery is simple. This dental procedure corrects the gum recession by grafting either your gum tissue (from the roof of your mouth) or a donor’s tissue to build back the receded gum line.

There are a couple of ways the gum graft procedure can be performed, which depends on the severity and extent of damage and the patient’s needs.

The periodontist will first administer local anesthesia before gum surgery so that the area is numbed and does not hurt. Your gum doctor might also require you to lift some of the existing decayed gum and clean your teeth.

• Connective tissue graft – One of the most common methods of treating gum recession is a connective tissue graft.
  • Dental professionals cut a flap of skin from the roof of your mouth.
  • Tissue is taken out from under the flap, which is known as subepithelial connective tissue.
  • This tissue is stitched to the gum tissue around the exposed root.
  • The flap which was removed, is stitched back.
• Free Gingival Grafts – This also involves tissue from the mouth’s roof and is needed by people with thin gums to enlarge their gums.
  • The periodontist removes the tissue directly from the roof of the mouth.
  • This tissue is attached to the gum area, which is being treated.
• Pedicle grafts – In this procedure, the tissue is taken from around the tooth, which is being repaired and can only be done for people who have a good amount of gum tissue near the affected tooth.
  • The flap (pedicle) is partially removed, with one end still attached.
  • Gum is pulled down to cover the exposed root and sewn.

Apart from the methods mentioned above, few patients prefer using graft material from a tissue bank. Your dentist might also use tissue-stimulating proteins that enhance your body’s ability to grow tissues and bones. The success of the gum grafting procedure depends a lot on the right grafting procedure for your needs. An experienced periodontist is critical in deciding which approach is suited for you. Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!