Month: March 2022

A gummy smile is a smile that shows a lot of gum line, causing embarrassment and insecurity for those who have it. 

Gummy smiles, also known as excessive gingival display, can be caused by a host of issues with your mouth like jaw development issues, incorrect bite, hyperactive or overly short upper lip, and orthodontic treatments. 

After orthodontic treatment your teeth are straight and your smile is beautiful. Unfortunately, there are times when gums can be swollen and bleed during orthodontic treatment due to poor brushing and a genetic predisposition to having inflamed gums. 

A long-lasting inflammation of your gums can lead to what is called gingival hyperplasia or gingival enlargement. Brushing and frequent cleanings during braces treatment are key to avoiding this issue.

Swollen gums make teeth look short, your gums can surround the braces causing cavities under this extra tissue. It is a common issue that needs to be resolved during and/or after braces. A periodontist is one that specializes in reducing your gummy smile during and after treatment.

Improved oral hygiene and prevention of gum disease are some of the things to keep in mind to treat gummy smiles.  

The following are some of the dental treatments that can help treat gummy smiles.

• A dental treatment called gingivectomy will fix a gummy smile most of the time. 
• Crown lengthening is yet another technique that is opted in the more severe cases.
• Root planing and scaling is also an option; in the process the dentist removes plaque from the tooth all the way to the root, including under the gum. Subsequent to scaling the teeth, your dentist will then, at that point, smooth out your tooth’s roots to help your gums reattach. This is a decent choice to both deep clean your teeth and change your gum line.
• Botox is also a popular option for treating gummy smiles. If the underlying cause of your gummy smile is a hyperactive upper lip, you have to go for botox. Whenever you inject Botox into your upper lip, it will restrict the range of movement for your upper lip, which will restrict the amount of your gums that show when you smile, ultimately helping reduce gummy smiles.

So the bottom line is if you wish to treat your gummy smile or the underlying issues that are causing your gummy smile, make sure to consult your dentist or orthodontist about your issues. They’ll be the right ones to discuss treatment options with you as well as determine whether your issue is purely aesthetic or if there’s an underlying issue. 

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Do braces make your breath stink?
Bad breath happens to everyone occasionally, and you should usually be able to fix it by brushing and flossing regularly. However, if you have braces, you will need to keep your mouth fresh by changing your routine.

Why do braces cause bad breath?
Your braces do not smell bad – it’s your mouth bacteria that does.

People who wear braces often experience problems with food getting trapped in their braces. Whenever food particles are left in your teeth, they become a source of nutrition for bacteria, and this leads to an unpleasant smell developing in your mouth as bacteria build up.

You likely have bad breath with braces if you don’t clean your braces after eating regularly.

Listed below are some tips for keeping your breath fresh while wearing braces:

Maintaining good oral hygiene is the key to keeping your breath fresh when you have braces. For the best results, brush your teeth every morning, each time you eat, and before going to bed.

Flossing with water or dental floss can help remove trapped food particles. Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper may be necessary.

You can also try these other ways to freshen your breath:

• Use mouthwash
• Stay hydrated
• Replace your toothbrush more frequently
• Take sugarless mints
• Avoid strongly scented foods

Making changes to your daily routine is necessary when you get braces. Luckily, these easy tricks will help you keep your breath fresh while you undergo orthodontic treatment.

Ask your dentist about other questions you may have about living with braces.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Oral and maxillofacial radiology, also referred to as dentomaxillofacial radiology, is a branch of dentistry that uses radiography to treat illnesses, abnormalities, and ailments. Imaging techniques such as MRI, X-Ray, and CT scans are used to diagnose and treat problems with the teeth, mouth, and jaw, among other things.

Techniques in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology use diagnostic imaging to examine craniofacial and dental structures. Imagining techniques include

• Digital Imaging
• Computed Tomography (CT) and plain films
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound (US)

Oral symptoms usually have a bone and skeletal base under the soft tissues. Because radiographs can reveal non-clinically visible structures: the imaging technology helps dental practitioners to deal with many unidentified issues.

Advantages of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

• Preparation for surgery in the affected area
• Diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer
• Making a treatment plan for orthodontics
• Planning for dental implants
• Visualizing abnormal teeth
• Evaluation of unusual pain in your face or jaw,
• Assessment of cavity formation
• Diagnosis of unidentified dental problems

Practicing Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 
A degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology takes 4-5 years. Starting with a dental degree, followed by postgraduate studies, and then passing the state licensure exam. Training includes procedures and interpretation of maxillofacial CT, CBCT, MRI, ultrasound, and other imaging modalities.

Oral and maxillofacial radiology is gaining popularity everywhere. Its precision and comprehensive interpretations to help with the diagnosis are very helpful and essential parts for dentistry.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Dental Implant Hygiene is crucial for long-term success and ensuring that your implants stay healthy. If you’re wondering how to clean the abutment, which is the part connecting the implant to your crown, follow these steps for effective care.

How Do You Clean a Dental Implant Abutment?

Rinse the implant abutment with warm water soft toothbrush and low abrasive toothpaste. The motor of an electric toothbrush should be switched off during the cleaning of the exposed abutment since vibrations may affect the implant’s healing. You can also use mouth rinse or mild toothpaste for extra fresh breath.

How is the Abutment Connected to the Implant?

Before affixing the abutment the dentist will make an incision to reveal the dental implant. This leads to the formation of a flap that can cover it to give a strong support of the dental crown.

What Foods Are Safe After Abutment Placement?

It is highly advisable to take soft foods during the healing period as any form of stress can for a while. Soft foods can be; mashed potatoes, bananas, peaches, melons, soft pasta such as macaroni and cheese, soups, scrambled eggs, applesauce, and soft cakes. Do not consume any foods with hard seeds or nuts that may cause inflammation in the implant area.

How to Care for the Abutment Properly

When working in an area near the abutment, try to be gentle while cleaning. Plaque and food debris will be removed with ease depending on the kind of brushing and rinsing that is done. It is recommended to carry on using a saltwater rinse for the whole day to minimize inflammation. As a result, lightly apply the forces to the abutment area, but do not press too hard since it can cause some harm to the gum tissue or the implant.

The Right Way to Clean Dental Implants

To maintain Dental Implant Hygiene, the implants should be cleaned at least two times a day with a soft brush. Apply a gentle kind of toothpaste and brush only the area around the implant crown. To clean the area well, an interdental brush with nylon coating is advised; clean between the teeth with floss, using either unwaxed tape or floss designed for implants. You may also use an oral irrigator for a deeper clean.

Do Implants Require Special Cleaning?

Although no “special” routine is necessary, maintaining a strict oral hygiene routine is essential for implants, much like it is for natural teeth. Good Dental Implant Hygiene helps prevent bacterial buildup that could compromise implant health.

How to Clean Healing Abutments?

Be gentle while brushing during the initial healing period. Avoid brushing directly on the healing abutment during the first week. Instead, rinse with PeridexTM, an antimicrobial mouth rinse, twice daily as recommended by your dentist.Besides good Dental Implant Hygiene, it also requires frequent visits to the dental office in Victoria TX to get the implants checked and kept in perfect condition. Apart from checking on the normal health of your teeth, the dentist can identify early signs of trouble with the implants or the gums. Such cleanings are especially useful since professional cleanings can go out of sight and eliminate the dangers of Tartar deposits and infections around the implant region.

With regard to maintenance at home, they should use soft bristle nylon toothbrushes and nonabrasive toothpaste as the implant surface may be damaged by abrasive toothpaste. Cleaners such as water flossers or oral irrigators are also very useful in the area of the implants because they effectively help to remove food and bacteria while not harming the gums in the process.

If you’re looking for guidance on Dental Implant Hygiene or any other aspect of dental care, our dental office in Victoria TX is here to help. Schedule your appointment with us today to receive expert advice and personalized treatment for your implants.

Most of the time, chewing gum is perceived as a dirty or annoying habit, but do you know it may help prevent cavities?

Notwithstanding regular dental exams and proper at-home hygiene, chewing gum may likewise be vital to remember for your daily practice.

Before you judge the next person you see blowing bubbles, ensure you find out with regards to how chewing gum can help prevent cavities with the below-listed information.

How does chewing gum prevent cavities? 
When you chew on sugarless gum, your mouth builds its flow of saliva. Saliva washes away food and debris from your teeth, kills acids from bacteria, and also provides substances that fight diseases in your mouth.  Furthermore, increased saliva carries phosphate and calcium to strengthen tooth enamel which is liable for safeguarding your teeth.

The gum likewise cleans your teeth. Food particles and bacteria from your teeth. After you bite it for ten minutes, a piece of gum has caught around 100 million bacteria from your mouth. That is the reason you want to try to discard it when you’re done-it may clean your mouth, yet the gum gets extremely filthy.

How often do you chew gum?
Before you go overboard with chewing gum, there’s a time and place to chew it that will help your dental health. For best possible results, chew gum after eating a full meal or drinking something other than water. Chewing the gum in the wake of eating or drinking will assist with washing away the debris and sugar from your teeth.

If you chew too much gum, you could begin experiencing jaw pain. On the off chance that this occurs, it’s a great idea to cut back. Studies have linked gum chewing to TMJ, particularly in teenagers. Also, sugarless sugars here and there cause an upset stomach if a lot is consumed.

Keep brushing & flossing 
While chewing sugarless gum is a feasible method to prevent cavities, it should never be a replacement for brushing and flossing your teeth. It’s as yet critical to brush and floss no less than two times every day, once toward the beginning of the day and once before hitting the bed. Brushing and flossing are the best method for preventing cavities, however, it’s unlikely you’re going to brush after every meal and drink.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!