A crown ennobles a tooth in the same way that a diadem makes a man look like a king. Whether a crown is made of porcelain or gold, it is designed to make its wearer look beautiful. If you want to see a crown fit for a king, check out the crown jewels in London; if you want to see a crown fit for a tooth, visit a dentist’s office.

Life takes its toll on teeth. After years of snacking and salivating, teeth may become covered in plaque or tartar. If a person doesn’t practice good oral hygiene habits like daily flossing and brushing and semi-annual dental cleanings, teeth may become decayed. Cavities, a common sign of tooth decay, are often treated by removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling the empty space with amalgam, silver, gold or porcelain.

Crowns

When tooth decay is severe, more of the tooth has to be removed. What’s left often isn’t substantial enough to support a filling. In those cases, crowns are needed. Crowns are often made from porcelain or gold and fit over the base of a tooth to make the tooth look complete and natural.

Bridges

Just as a bridge connects structures, a dental bridge can be used to secure a false tooth into a mouth without the aid of a dental implant. The two teeth on either side of the false tooth are used to hold the false tooth in place.

Over time, even the best prepared crowns and bridges may break down and require restoration. When a crown or bridge becomes loose or cracks, your dentist can apply new adhesive to secure the crown back onto the tooth. Bridges can be reattached and strengthened as well. Crowns and bridges are just two of the common applications of modern dentistry that help people have beautiful smiles all throughout life.

If you need a crown or bridge repaired and don’t have a dentist, Emergency Dental Care USA, Inc. can help you get rid of your pain and get back your smile.

In this third and final look at common cosmetic dental procedures, we’ll consider the unnecessary removal of wisdom teeth, excessive x-rays and surgery for temporomandibular joint disorder. As with the other cosmetic procedures we’ve considered over the past few weeks, there are times when wisdom teeth must be pulled, x-rays are called for and TMJ surgery is beneficial; however, there are many more times when these expensive procedures are performed simple because they can and not necessarily because they should. How can you tell the difference?

Consumer Reports is running a story this month in their magazine on dental treatments and insurance. In that article, they quote a dentist named James Bader, D.D.S. as saying “for all treatment recommendations, ask your dentist why. Listen, and see if it makes sense. You should understand the basis of the treatment.”

We agree with Bader’s advice. If you’re not sure why your wisdom teeth should be pulled, don’t understand why you need another set of dental x-rays or aren’t convinced that TMJ surgery will alleviate your pain, ask your dentist to explain why he thinks you need the procedure done. Make sure you understand what it costs and listen carefully to see his explanation makes sense to you.

When To Remove Wisdom Teeth

In general, unless your wisdom are causing you pain or problems like dental crowding or tooth movement, you are probably fine leaving them in, and saving yourself the cost and pain that comes with extracting them. Simply removing wisdom teeth because you can, or because you don’t need them, isn’t necessarily a good enough reason to justify the action.

Excessive X-Rays

One set of bitewing x-rays each year is enough for most people. Unless you have dental problems or pain that your dentist thinks a set of x-rays may help diagnose and treat, you might even be able to go 18 months in between dental x-rays. Avoid having x-rays done more frequently than 12 months as a purely preventative or precautionary action.

TMJ Surgery

TMJ is a painful condition that unfortunately, is rarely improved through surgery. Often, the best treatment for TMJ is to wait for it to go away on its own. Sometimes, a mouthguard for nighttime wearing can be helpful, and it costs a lot less than surgery.

Last week we talked about teeth whitening and concluded that although it’s one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures available, it’s likely a waste of money for most people. Today we’ll consider amalgam filling replacement.

All About Amalgam

Most fillings are amalgam in nature - meaning they’re made of a composite material including metal and mercury. While these fillings are more noticeable than porcelain or composite fillings, they tend to be stronger and more durable than their less-noticeable counterparts. If you are considering replacing an amalgam filling simply because you want a filling that’s less likely to be noticed by someone looking in your mouth, think about the drawbacks:

• You have to remove tooth structure to get the amalgam filling out
• Amalgam fillings with mercury in them aren’t linked to any ill health affects
• The replacement fillings will be weaker and less durable than what you had before

In addition to these common-sense reasons, you can save yourself money by keeping a perfectly good, well-functioning amalgam filling in your mouth.

Atypical Tooth Restorations

When a tooth breaks, chips or cracks, tooth restoration is a helpful way to repair the tooth and protect your mouth from infection and further injury. However, a cosmetic dental treatment has popped up which uses advanced equipment to detect microscopic lines or defects on the surface of a tooth. Some dentists will recommend opening the tooth and filling it with a porcelain or composite material to correct the minor defect which is often unnoticeable to the naked eye.

Use common sense and avoid this kind of cosmetic procedure. Not only is it expensive, but it’s unnecessary. In many cases, your saliva will repair the minor defect. Crowns cost a lot of money and should be reserved for teeth that have genuine, significant decay. Instead of unnecessary restoration, opt for monitoring the decay; if it worsens over time, wait until a crown or filling is legitimately called for to remove the decay and repair the tooth.

Cosmetic dentistry is a relatively new field, somewhat similar to plastic surgery. The aim of cosmetic dental procedures is to help people feel happy with the way their teeth work, more so than the actual health of their mouth. Common cosmetic dental procedures include:

• Teeth whitening
• Amalgam filling replacement
• Minor tooth restorations
• Unnecessary removal of wisdom teeth
• Excessive x-rays
• TMJ surgery

Some of these procedures can be necessary and helpful at times. At other times and for some patients, these can be optional, expensive and unnecessary dental procedures. Over the next few weeks, we’ll consider each one and how you can save yourself some money by knowing when you should have them done and when you should just keep your mouth the way it is.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is the most common cosmetic dental procedure. It’s become so mainstream in fact, that you can purchase a home whitening kit over the counter and whiten your teeth yourself at home. According to a Consumer Reports article about dental procedures its February 2012 issue, most survey respondents were more satisfied with an at-home whitening treatment than one they had their dentists perform in-office.

For starters, at-home teeth whitening kits and whitening strips cost less. Most yellow-tinted teeth are perfectly healthy. A slight yellow tint is actually a sign of a well-calcified tooth. Regular brushing and flossing will remove tea and coffee stains just fine. So, unless you have $300 that you’d rather not spend on anything other than teeth whitening, stick to an over the counter kit or focus your efforts on brushing and flossing.

From everyone at Emergency Dental Care USA, Inc. and Ask the Emergency Dentist, we want to wish a Happy New Year to you and your teeth! What would be a better way to start off 2012 than with 12 resolutions, that if followed, should result in a happy, healthy mouth?

1. Eat less starchy crackers and chips. Doing so will help your teeth and your waistline as they can be just as harmful to your teeth as sweets.
2. Drink tea and coffee without sugar. Holding the sugar on your tea and coffee can reduce plaque buildup and cavities.
3. Brush your teeth twice a day or after every meal. Regular brushing will keep plaque buildup low and your breath fresh.
4. Floss daily. Take care of your gums this year by flossing in between your teeth at least once a day, twice if possible.
5. Don’t use your teeth to open things. Use your hands or scissors, not your teeth to open packages, cut tape and tear open things this year.
6. Switch to fluoride toothpaste. If you don’t already use toothpaste with fluoride in it,  start as it will help your teeth grow strong and plaque-free.
7. Give up smoking. It’s good for your health not to smoke and reduces the staining that tobacco products cause to teeth.
8. Chew sugar-free gum after lunch. Many people find it difficult to work in a tooth-brushing session after lunch. If it’s more convenient for you, carry around a pack of sugarless gum and chew a stick after lunch or a mid-day snack.
9. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Nylon-based, soft-bristled toothbrushes remove plaque and tartar from your teeth without scratching or ruining the naturally protective enamel coating.
10. Trade in your toothbrush every three months for a new one. Like so many other things in life, toothbrushes wear out and need to be replaced regularly to stay effective.
11. Wear a mouthguard. If you play competitive sports, a mouthguard can protect your teeth from breaking and cracking, which can occur contact sports.
12. See your dentist regularly. Get a checkup every six months to keep 2012 a healthy one for your teeth and gums.

According to popular opinion, the worst food to get stuck in between your teeth is a poppy seed. These tiny little black seeds are common on rolls, muffins, bread and even in tea. They may taste good but can create chaos for your gums and teeth. Other foods that commonly get stuck in between teeth and gums include:

• Cooked spinach
• Celery
• Apple skins
• Red meat
• Broccoli
• Salad lettuce
• Corn on the cob
• Popcorn husks

Little bits of sticky candy can also easily become lodged in the spaces between teeth. In general, getting food stuck in between your teeth is a simple problem, easily solved with dental floss and regular brushing. The problems come when people don’t have floss on them and improvise by using toothpicks, nail files, forks and other small, sharp objects to attempt to dislodge the unwelcome visitor from their mouths.

Dislodging Unwelcome Bits of Food

If you’ve used something other than floss to get a piece of spinach or a seed out of your teeth and have walked away unscathed, consider yourself fortunate. Others don’t always fare so well. At the the Emergency Dentist, we see patients who’ve damaged their gums and teeth severely by sticking dirty or sharp items in their mouths to try to clean them. Lacerations can quickly become infected, creating an even worse problem that in extreme cases leads to teeth being pulled.

The best way to remove a strand of celery or a poppy seed from your gumline or from in between your teeth is not with your fingernail. It’s with dental floss. If you aren’t at home, run into a grocery story or pharmacy and purchase a roll of dental floss. Find a mirror (preferably in a bathroom, but your rear view mirror will do as long as you’re not driving while trying to remove the foreign object). Tear off a 12-15-inch piece of floss. Wrap the ends around your middle fingers.

Gently, slowly and carefully work the floss in between the teeth where the food is stuck. Work the floss up and over the object. Then, pull the object down along with the floss to remove it from your teeth. Swish some clear water around in your mouth to help dislodge pesky pieces of food. Keep working at it with floss and water. Then, brush your teeth, if necessary to work the food out completely and leave your mouth feeling fresh.

If you hurt yourself trying to get the food out some other way, call your dentist and have him or her remove the food for you.

I remember it like it was yesterday. My family and I decided to try a new Chinese restaurant in town. Five minutes into my meal I heard a crunch and looked across the table at my husband who was covering his mouth with his hand. With a look of dread in his eyes he stated, “I think I just lost a filling.”

I searched his plate in the dim light while he went to the bathroom to check out his mouth in a mirror. Eventually, he was able to figure out which tooth a filling fell out of during a bite of dim sum, but we never did find the filling. We made an appointment with our dentist for my husband to have his tooth checked and a new filling put in place.

Facts About Fillings

Losing a filling is rarely an emergency. At the same time, it’s not something to ignore or it may turn into a problem involving dental decay and more expensive reconstructive surgery. Fillings are made from plastic or metals like gold or silver and are used to fill cavities in teeth.

Sometimes fillings fall out because a little decay manages to form beneath the filling. As the tooth decays beneath the filling, the filling loosens and can become dislodged from a bite on something hard or jagged. Once you loose a filling, your tooth may become painful or sensitive to heat, cold, sweet or salty foods. When a filling is gone, it leaves the tooth exposed to more decay.

Fill-Ins Until You Get to the Dentist

It’s best to make an appointment with your dentist so that you can have the tooth examined, cleaned and a new filling put in. While you’re waiting to see your dentist, you can try putting a little clove oil on the tooth as a natural pain reliever. You may also put a little denture sealant over the tooth to protect it until you can get in to see your dentist. Never use household glues on your teeth though as these are not meant for human consumption and can be dangerous.

Your dentist might want to file the tooth to reshape it after cleaning it to make sure its free of decay. He may also decide to place a crown over the top of the tooth to prevent the filling from coming loose and decay from forming on the tooth again.

Today we’re going to talk about toothaches — what causes them and more importantly, how to make them go away. Other than routine teeth cleanings, a toothache is one of the most common reasons someone goes to see a dentist.

A toothache is pain in and around a tooth. Toothaches are usually caused by cavities, which are a form of tooth decay. Sometimes though, a toothache may be the result of an infection or pain emanating from another part of your body, like your ear, neck or chest. Other common causes of toothaches include:

• Abscessed teeth
• Earaches
• Jaw injuries
• Heart attacks
• Sinus pain or pressure

Angina can sometimes radiate up the chest and shoulders to the jaw, where it is mistaken for a toothache. Direct blows to the jaw can result in injuries including lost, broken or aching teeth. Since part of our sinuses run along our jawlines, sinus pain and toothaches can often be confused with each other.

If your tooth pain becomes severe or lasts more than a few days, you should see your dentist. He or she will talk to you about your pain, examine your mouth and may take dental x-rays to determine the source of your pain and the best way to get rid of it. Your dentist may recommend an antibiotic, filling, root canal, or even pulling the tooth in severe cases to ease your pain.

Next time we’ll talk about what you can do to prevent toothaches. Between now and then, if you’re in pain, go see your dentist and start feeling like yourself again.

As we age there are many things we need to keep tabs on, like our cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Taking care of your teeth might not be at the top of your list but it should be on your radar. According to AARP, having a happy mouth not only makes for a healthy smile, but practicing good oral hygiene habits may help prevent chronic diseases.

Regular dental checkups are the most important thing that seniors can do to keep their teeth looking young. Seniors should get three teeth cleanings each year. That’s one more than is prescribed for adults. Dentists use teeth cleanings not only to remove plaque and check the health of a person’s gums, but also to screen for oral cancer and make sure that minor dental problems don’t turn into major ones.

Denture Detailing

If you wear dentures, regular dental checkups give your dentist an opportunity to make sure they fit right and make adjustments as needed. Your dentist can also replace metal fillings with non-metal ones, install crowns and bridges or fit you for dental implants to reduce gaps in between your teeth.

Daily Dental Maintenance

In addition to regular dental checkups, good oral hygiene habits can go a long way towards making an old mouth feel young. Like other age groups, seniors should:

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, preferably after every meal.
• Floss once or twice each day.
• Rinse your mouth daily with mouthwash.

Plaque tends to build up faster on older teeth, which puts seniors at an increased risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Specifically, seniors are prone to developing cavities and decay on the root surfaces of their teeth.

Seniors should be on the lookout for increased sensitivity in their teeth, dry mouth, loose teeth and trouble swallowing or pain when chewing. Make an appointment to see your dentist if you notice these symptoms happening to you. Make sure you tell your dentist which medications you’re taking and consider making an appointment before and after any major surgeries you experience.

In the past, we’ve talked about pregnancy and dental care, going over what you can expect to experience with your teeth and mouth when you’re pregnant. This time, we’re going to talk about seniors and oral health, or some common ways you can expect your teeth and gums to change as you age.

What happens to our teeth as we age?

1. Exposed Roots - Like the rest of our bodies, as we enter our golden years our gums begin to show the wear and tear of life. Gums can gradually recede, exposing more of the roots of our teeth to air, food and liquid. This can create a painful, sensitive condition in the mouth where eating something sweet, salty or spicy or drinking or eating things that are hot or cold can cause a sharp, painful sensation near the exposed roots. Exposed roots cause pain because the root portion of the tooth is not covered in dense enamel like the rest of our teeth. The more porous nature of the root area allows tiny amounts of air and liquid to reach our delicate nerves, provoking them to pain. Cavities are also more likely to form on the root area, where crowns and fillings end.
   
2. Tooth Loss - Gum disease and decay cause many people to lose teeth as they age. The more teeth we lose, the more our bite changes. The way we chew as well as the symmetry of our faces changes.
3. Dark Teeth - Another common change to our teeth as we age is their likelihood of becoming a dark yellow color instead of a sparkling white. Plaque builds up faster and changes in dentin help this discoloration along.
4. Dry Mouth - As we get older, the amount of saliva our mouths produce diminishes. Less saliva means more plaque buildup and a greater sensation of dry mouth. Many medications also cause dry mouth. Over time, dry mouth can lead to cavities and tooth decay.
5. Loss of Taste - Just like hearing and eyesight, unfortunately, loss of taste also often occurs with age. Dentures can also heighten this lack of taste in older mouths.

The reality of how our mouths age doesn’t have to be depressing and it doesn’t have to describe you. Regular dental checkups and some basic do-it-yourself maintenance can help combat many of these realities and keep them at bay. Next time, we’ll talk about what seniors can do to keep their mouths, teeth and gums looking and feeling young.