Although we may have already covered this topic a bit before on this blog (see: "Cure Your Odontophobia Today!"), the following cannot be stressed enough: if you put off going to the dentist, you are just going to end up making things harder for yourself in the end, because the earlier that dental problems are discovered by your dentist, the easier the procedure for dealing with them will be. Regardless of this, many people unfortunately end up putting-off going to the dentist as long as they can, and it's usually mostly out of fear of experiencing pain while in the dentist's chair. However, luckily for anyone that doesn't like pain (which, I would bet includes most all of us!), this common fear is entirely unjustified, due to many wonderful recent (and not-so-recent) advances in the way that dental care is administered.
Indeed, pain-free dentistry is now a reality, and can make even the most extreme of dental procedures more than easy to deal with. But, regardless of this fact, many people, when considering the prospect of going to the dentist, still think of the "Wild West" days of dental care, when the only pain-management system was Doc Holiday's bottle of whiskey. However, nowadays dentists have at their disposal all sorts of modern and advanced tools, chemicals and procedures that leave those dreaded days of dental nightmares in the dust, where they belong!
Besides the obvious pain-alleviators, like Novocain, there now exists a range of sedatives that dentists commonly use to ensure that their patient's procedure is entirely pain-free. After all; while Novocain does indeed numb the mouth in preparation for having dental work done, some people suffer intense fear of the needle itself, and even claim that it hurts to get the shot in the first place. And, whereas before most sedatives were given to patients intravenously, by using orally-administered sedatives, the patient can be relaxed and less-worried before the local anesthetic is even applied.
By the use of short-term sedatives like Valium, and the old standard nitrous-oxide (AKA "laughing gas"), the patient can start any procedure out right by being relaxed and in the right frame of mind. However, for some people, the relatively new practice of "sleep-dentistry" is desirable. With this most modern form of anesthesiology, the patient is intravenously administered a serum that puts them in a state called "conscious sedation", in which they, although not technically unconscious or, indeed, asleep, enter a dream-like state that soothes and relaxes the patient to the point that they often don't even remember what happened in the dental chair at all!
So, you might be wondering; what type of sedation and pain-relief will your dentist prescribe? Well, that will, of course, depend on many things, including whether or not you take any other medication, and how sensitive or fearful you tend to be when undergoing dental procedures. For this reason it is important that you discuss thoroughly any mental of physical concerns you may have with your dentist so that he or she can make the most informed decision when it comes to choosing which method to use in order to insure that your dental experience as comfortable as possible.
Pain-free dentistry is indeed a modern day reality, and, when it comes down to it, the advantage is two-fold; the patient gets to experience much less discomfort and pain while in the dental chair, and the dentist is able to concentrate on their task at hand more efficiently and quickly, due to not having to deal with all those stressed-out, fearful patients of days gone by.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Choosing the Right Manual Toothbrush
When it comes to maintaining your smile's radiance between dental visits, there is nothing more important than having the right toothbrush. However, one little journey into the heart of the dental care section of any local supermarket or drug store can often make one feel confused and overwhelmed as to which sort of toothbrush to get. Indeed; the galaxy of colors and styles of toothbrushes has multiplied over the years as new technologies have come about, and it is important to cut through all of the hype in order to find the right brush for the job. So, for this article we will be focusing only on the most common type of toothbrush that people use; the old-fashioned manual kind, saving discussion about the myriad of electronic brushes that are currently available for another article in the future.
To start off, one of the main (and most highly understandable) misconceptions about buying a tooth brush is that you should try to have one with stiff bristles. This is probably due to the fact that, over the years, dentists have somewhat changed their tune when it comes to this issue, now realizing that if you brush too hard you run the risk of taking too much enamel off of your teeth, and perhaps even irritating or damaging your gums in the process as well. So, one of the first things to keep in mind when choosing your next toothbrush is to find one with soft bristles so that you will be giving your teeth and gums enough even stimulation without overdoing it and working against yourself.
Secondly, there is what the toothbrush bristles are made of in the first place. Nowadays, toothbrushes are usually made out of nylon bristles, which is the considered by most dentists to be the best way to go. And, yes; some toothbrush manufacturers are boasting about the use of more fancy, experimental elements in their brushes, most notably the new "nano-silver particles" that are supposed to help with the cleaning process. However, while some research shows that using "toothbrush additives" like nano-silver (they even have nano-gold!) can supposedly be beneficial, there is overall not enough evidence in this department to warrant their extremely high cost. So, stick to nylon brushes and you will be fine.
When it comes to the size of the brush, smaller heads usually ends up being the better option to go for. Unfortunately, a lot of people end up thinking that a bigger brush will mean that they don't have to work as hard to get the same tooth-cleaning results. However, a smaller brush head will mean more overall ability to make contact with all the tooth surfaces in your mouth, which usually ends up being harder to do with a larger brush. Also, the type of handle that the brush has can be important as well. Make sure to find one that is easy to grip, the more comfortable the better. And the more modern, curved style handle is ultimately more preferable to the old-fashioned straight kind, the angle itself making it more ergonomically possible to get that brush everywhere it needs to go in your mouth with ease.
Overall, the most important thing for you to keep in mind when choosing a new brush is that, when it comes down to it, having the right brush is just as important as how well you brush your teeth in the first place! Indeed; a worn-out or inappropriate toothbrush can make it so that you are essentially working against yourself, or at the very least working harder than you have to. Also, another motivator for taking the time to pick the right brush and replace it often (dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months) is that the act of brushing itself will be more pleasurable, both because it will be easier, and you will have the peace of mind that you have, indeed, found the right tool for the job.
To start off, one of the main (and most highly understandable) misconceptions about buying a tooth brush is that you should try to have one with stiff bristles. This is probably due to the fact that, over the years, dentists have somewhat changed their tune when it comes to this issue, now realizing that if you brush too hard you run the risk of taking too much enamel off of your teeth, and perhaps even irritating or damaging your gums in the process as well. So, one of the first things to keep in mind when choosing your next toothbrush is to find one with soft bristles so that you will be giving your teeth and gums enough even stimulation without overdoing it and working against yourself.
Secondly, there is what the toothbrush bristles are made of in the first place. Nowadays, toothbrushes are usually made out of nylon bristles, which is the considered by most dentists to be the best way to go. And, yes; some toothbrush manufacturers are boasting about the use of more fancy, experimental elements in their brushes, most notably the new "nano-silver particles" that are supposed to help with the cleaning process. However, while some research shows that using "toothbrush additives" like nano-silver (they even have nano-gold!) can supposedly be beneficial, there is overall not enough evidence in this department to warrant their extremely high cost. So, stick to nylon brushes and you will be fine.
When it comes to the size of the brush, smaller heads usually ends up being the better option to go for. Unfortunately, a lot of people end up thinking that a bigger brush will mean that they don't have to work as hard to get the same tooth-cleaning results. However, a smaller brush head will mean more overall ability to make contact with all the tooth surfaces in your mouth, which usually ends up being harder to do with a larger brush. Also, the type of handle that the brush has can be important as well. Make sure to find one that is easy to grip, the more comfortable the better. And the more modern, curved style handle is ultimately more preferable to the old-fashioned straight kind, the angle itself making it more ergonomically possible to get that brush everywhere it needs to go in your mouth with ease.
Overall, the most important thing for you to keep in mind when choosing a new brush is that, when it comes down to it, having the right brush is just as important as how well you brush your teeth in the first place! Indeed; a worn-out or inappropriate toothbrush can make it so that you are essentially working against yourself, or at the very least working harder than you have to. Also, another motivator for taking the time to pick the right brush and replace it often (dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months) is that the act of brushing itself will be more pleasurable, both because it will be easier, and you will have the peace of mind that you have, indeed, found the right tool for the job.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Wisdom Teeth: Nothing to Crack Wise About
Contrary to popular belief, "wisdom teeth" are not so-called because they make you smarter. Okay, actually, we here at the Oakville Place Dental Office don't really know of too many people who hold this belief, but you never know. Still, we should probably realize that any reader of this blog is probably "wiser" than to believe that!
Anyway, the truth is that wisdom teeth are simply a third set of molars that probably got their esteemed-sounding name due to the fact that they usually grow in when someone is in their most formative years of education; between the ages of 13 and 25. However, there is an irony here, because wisdom teeth often become problematic due to the fact that over the course of our evolution human being's jaws have shrunken in size, but our number of teeth have comparatively remained the same. Thus, wisdom teeth often do not have the room to grow in and therefore can become impacted, and, often even if they do manage to grow in, they can cause problems like overcrowding of the teeth, and thus must still be removed.
Originally it was believed that the only proper, safe time to remove wisdom teeth was when they had fully emerged. However, as dental science and understanding has advanced, we have come to realize that it is important to deal with any potential problem with wisdom teeth as soon as it is possible to do so. In fact, nowadays it is advisable to start planning on whether or not your wisdom teeth are going to be removed as soon as the roots for these renegade molars have begun to form, because often times the longer you wait to decide to have them removed, the more extreme and difficult the procedure is to both administer and undergo.
So, your dentist will more than likely use X-rays to assess what the proper course of action is. Depending on the positioning of the teeth and the overall shape of the face, the risk of impaction or other problems varies between patients. While most people that have them end up getting them removed, some people choose not to do so and just take their chances, which can be many: misaligned bites, infections, TMJ and inflamed gum tissue, just to name a few. Also, the longer one waits to remove wisdom teeth the more likely one is to suffer the rare, but possible, ill-effects of having the surgery done, like nerve damage and numbness. Of course, the likelihood of your wisdom teeth causing problems later on down the line can be to a certain degree unknown, however usually an educated guess as to the future outcome of them can be made by your dentist or oral surgeon.
Finally, no matter what, if your dentist tells you that you should have your wisdom teeth removed, it is important not to let fear of the procedure guide your decision making process. Although the thought of having any teeth removed can be quite a frightening prospect, it is vital to keep in mind that the removal of wisdom teeth is an extremely common procedure, and with modern, pain-free dentistry, you know you will be in good hands during the procedure. So, when it comes to your wisdom teeth, it is important to make the "wise" (sorry, last one!) choice and do the right thing for both your smile and health if it is recommended that you have them removed.
Anyway, the truth is that wisdom teeth are simply a third set of molars that probably got their esteemed-sounding name due to the fact that they usually grow in when someone is in their most formative years of education; between the ages of 13 and 25. However, there is an irony here, because wisdom teeth often become problematic due to the fact that over the course of our evolution human being's jaws have shrunken in size, but our number of teeth have comparatively remained the same. Thus, wisdom teeth often do not have the room to grow in and therefore can become impacted, and, often even if they do manage to grow in, they can cause problems like overcrowding of the teeth, and thus must still be removed.
Originally it was believed that the only proper, safe time to remove wisdom teeth was when they had fully emerged. However, as dental science and understanding has advanced, we have come to realize that it is important to deal with any potential problem with wisdom teeth as soon as it is possible to do so. In fact, nowadays it is advisable to start planning on whether or not your wisdom teeth are going to be removed as soon as the roots for these renegade molars have begun to form, because often times the longer you wait to decide to have them removed, the more extreme and difficult the procedure is to both administer and undergo.
So, your dentist will more than likely use X-rays to assess what the proper course of action is. Depending on the positioning of the teeth and the overall shape of the face, the risk of impaction or other problems varies between patients. While most people that have them end up getting them removed, some people choose not to do so and just take their chances, which can be many: misaligned bites, infections, TMJ and inflamed gum tissue, just to name a few. Also, the longer one waits to remove wisdom teeth the more likely one is to suffer the rare, but possible, ill-effects of having the surgery done, like nerve damage and numbness. Of course, the likelihood of your wisdom teeth causing problems later on down the line can be to a certain degree unknown, however usually an educated guess as to the future outcome of them can be made by your dentist or oral surgeon.
Finally, no matter what, if your dentist tells you that you should have your wisdom teeth removed, it is important not to let fear of the procedure guide your decision making process. Although the thought of having any teeth removed can be quite a frightening prospect, it is vital to keep in mind that the removal of wisdom teeth is an extremely common procedure, and with modern, pain-free dentistry, you know you will be in good hands during the procedure. So, when it comes to your wisdom teeth, it is important to make the "wise" (sorry, last one!) choice and do the right thing for both your smile and health if it is recommended that you have them removed.
Can the Dentist Help You Stop Snoring?
Of the multitude of services that dentists provide, helping people to stop snoring and sleep more soundly is usually not the first one that comes to mind. However, if you have already tried the plethora of techniques that are out there and nothing has worked (and if you've spent any time at all attempting to become an ex-snorer then I'm sure you know what I am talking about; everything from anti-snore pillows to expensive adjustable beds to pills and creams all claim to be able to help you "quiet the beast"..), talking to your dentist about your "snoring-habit" may be the next step to take.
"But, how can a dentist help with snoring?", you may be wondering.
Well, first off, there are several different conditions that come into play that can make someone a snorer, the most basic element being that the collapsible parts of the throat, mainly the uvula, is being moved about and sometimes even partially blocking the passage of air as the sleeper breathes in and out. However, for some people, the adjustment of the position of the jaw, which indeed lies in the purview of your dentist, can be a key factor in keeping the above mentioned scenario from taking place in the first place!
Indeed, just as dentists often treat habitual night-time teeth-grinding with preventative mouth-guards, your dentist (or another that is more specially-trained in this area of dentistry) may be able to create an anti-snoring appliance especially for you. Also called "oral splints" (don't worry, they are not as unpleasant as they sound!), these devices, worn only at night, work by simply bringing forward your lower jaw and tongue, which in turn opens up the back of the throat by keeping your tongue and other soft tissues from blocking the air passage. In order that that they can be most effective and comfortable, oral splints must be created to fit especially for the mouth of the person that is wearing them, which is where your dentist comes into play. The procedure is usually rather quick, and of course painless, and the results of how effective the usage of one of these devices will be for you will be found out the next time you go to sleep!
So, if you've tried everything else, why not ask your dentist about what he or she might be able to do about your snoring problem? After all, snoring impacts everyone; from the quality of sleep for the snorer, to the mental sanity of those that share the same house with them. And, while it should be stated that anti-snoring dental devices don't help everyone, they could also be the silver bullet that could keep you from transforming nightly into that snoring "beast" once and for all!
"But, how can a dentist help with snoring?", you may be wondering.
Well, first off, there are several different conditions that come into play that can make someone a snorer, the most basic element being that the collapsible parts of the throat, mainly the uvula, is being moved about and sometimes even partially blocking the passage of air as the sleeper breathes in and out. However, for some people, the adjustment of the position of the jaw, which indeed lies in the purview of your dentist, can be a key factor in keeping the above mentioned scenario from taking place in the first place!
Indeed, just as dentists often treat habitual night-time teeth-grinding with preventative mouth-guards, your dentist (or another that is more specially-trained in this area of dentistry) may be able to create an anti-snoring appliance especially for you. Also called "oral splints" (don't worry, they are not as unpleasant as they sound!), these devices, worn only at night, work by simply bringing forward your lower jaw and tongue, which in turn opens up the back of the throat by keeping your tongue and other soft tissues from blocking the air passage. In order that that they can be most effective and comfortable, oral splints must be created to fit especially for the mouth of the person that is wearing them, which is where your dentist comes into play. The procedure is usually rather quick, and of course painless, and the results of how effective the usage of one of these devices will be for you will be found out the next time you go to sleep!
So, if you've tried everything else, why not ask your dentist about what he or she might be able to do about your snoring problem? After all, snoring impacts everyone; from the quality of sleep for the snorer, to the mental sanity of those that share the same house with them. And, while it should be stated that anti-snoring dental devices don't help everyone, they could also be the silver bullet that could keep you from transforming nightly into that snoring "beast" once and for all!
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