Why Do Teeth Turn Yellow

Our teeth change color as we age – the process involves the natural thinning of the mineral layer on our teeth called the enamel. However, time is not the only thing that can discolor our teeth – here are some other things that can also lead to yellow teeth:

• Our diet – many of the foods and beverages that we consume can discolor our teeth, causing permanent yellowing. The most common examples include coffee, black tea, dark chocolate, red wine and sugary foods or drinks;
• Bad habits – smoking is another very common cause of yellow teeth and so is teeth grinding, a habit that many people do unconsciously, usually in their sleep and that causes the enamel on their teeth to develop small cracks, to lose minerals and to turn yellow;
• Medications and medical treatments – numerous strong medications, such as chemotherapy drugs or medicines that contain iron, can cause yellow teeth. Some therapies, such as radiation therapy, can also thin the enamel on the teeth and cause them to turn yellow;
• Poor oral hygiene – improper dental hygiene promotes the development of plaque on the surface of the teeth. The teeth covered in plaque or tartar usually become yellow and are also more susceptible to developing cavities and gum problems.

Scheduling an appointment with a popular Littleton cosmetic dentist is a start to improve the color and overall appearance of your smile and oral health.

 

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Why Do Teeth Get Sensitive?

Sensitive teeth are uncomfortable, often painful and are usually caused by worn enamel on one or multiple teeth or by exposed tooth roots. The enamel on our teeth is a very hard and very durable material made up from minerals, but it is not a living material, therefore any damage that it sustains, either because of trauma or because of the harm caused by the foods and drinks that we consume, is permanent. Dental roots usually become exposed because the gums are also affected by our foods and beverages and they might develop gum disease that causes the gum tissue to recede.

There are many ways to treat dental sensitivity. The first step should always be a visit to a reputable Littleton dental care provider – the specialist will determine the cause of the sensitivity and will propose treatment options. The treatment process usually involves professional cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, followed by the treatment of the cavities, if any, and the development of a treatment plan for any gum problems. Diet changes and the implementation of a more rigorous dental cleaning regimen can also help – suitable toothpastes and the right diet can restore the mineral content of the enamel to a certain extent and can reduce the sensitivity.

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Can Teeth Cause A Headache?

If you are suffering from headaches, you surely want to find out what is causing them and to get rid of that cause as soon as possible. While headaches can have lots of simple, lifestyle-related causes, such as not eating regular means or not consuming enough water, they can also traced back to some other issues, including dental problems. Here are some common problems related to teeth and jaws that can cause headaches:

• Temporomandibular joint syndrome – also called TMJ, the issue affects the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. The hinge-like joint is responsible for opening and closing the mouth and when it is affected by inflammation or by other problems, the pain can travel up the skull and cause migraine-like headaches;
• Teeth grinding – also called bruxism, this affection causes stress in the muscles of the head. The people who grind their teeth usually do so when under stress or in their sleep, keeping the muscles of the jaw and of the head contracted for prolonged periods, which might lead to headaches;
• Dental infections – the most common symptoms of infected teeth are pain in the infected cases, but in severe cases, dental infections can also cause dizziness and headaches.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, a great place to go for solutions is Dutch Creek Dental. Their caring team of medical professionals will be able to diagnose and offer treatment options to improve the health of your teeth, and minimize pain.

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Can Teeth Regrow Themselves?

Medical scientists are continuously researching treatment methods that can prompt the human body to regrow lost teeth or to correct smaller issues, such as minor chips or cracks on its own. However, what we currently know is that teeth cannot regrow themselves, so cavities need to be filled using mechanical methods and dental replacement can also be done only mechanically, by inserting artificial teeth or by installing bridges or dentures.

The body might not be able to regrow lost teeth, but we can do a lot to keep our pearly whites in good condition. Our dental cleaning regimen and our diet are equally important – here are some tips from in demand dentists in Littleton to help you protect your teeth:

• Thorough cleaning – brushing your teeth correctly at least two times a day, using dental floss in the evenings, paying attention to the quality of the toothbrush, of the toothpaste and of the mouthwash you use are essential;
• A tooth-friendly diet – certain foods and drinks, such as black tea, coffee, red wine, sugary beverages and sweets, can stain the enamel of the teeth, so they should be consumed in moderation or avoided as much as possible;
• Gentle usage – the enamel on our teeth is the hardest material in the entire body, but it is also a brittle material, so you should never use your teeth to crack nuts or to open bottles.

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Can Dentists Prescribe Medicine

Dentists may prescribe medication for several reasons. While some drugs treat diseases of the oral cavity, others are used to prevent infections after surgical procedures, such as tooth extractions and periodontal surgery. Certain medications are prescribed by knowledgeable Littleton family dentistry medical staff before dental treatments to prevent infections or to control existing conditions.

What should the dentist know about your medical history?

It is important for your dentist to know your medical history and the medication you are taking, especially for serious conditions, such as kidney, lung, heart or liver conditions. Some medications may interact with others which will lead to treatment failure.

The most common cause of drug interaction is the lack of information about the patient’s medical history.

What medications can your dentist prescribe?

• Substances to control anxiety
• Anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve discomfort
• Local painkillers to relieve pain or irritation caused by many conditions, including toothache and sores in or around the mouth
• Medicines for the control of bacterial plaque and gingivitis
• Antiseptics
• Antibiotics

Make sure you take medication only as recommended by your dentist. Also, even if the dentist gives you information about the prescribed medications, make sure you fully understand the reasons for taking certain pills and inform your dentist about any health conditions you may experience during the treatment.

 

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Why Dentists Take Blood Pressure

Of all the categories of patients who go to the dental office in order to benefit from specialized treatments, by far the most challenging is the hypertensive patient. That is why dentists take blood pressure. It is very important that, when a patient shows up to the dentist’s office, they bring their medical history, although there are also patients with active hypertensive flares who do not necessarily follow a treatment. Taking blood pressure is even more important in this case.

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease. According to well established Littleton implants and periodontics specialists, people who have periodontitis, also known as gum disease, have a higher risk of high blood pressure. Also, the more severe the periodontitis, the greater the likelihood of high blood pressure.

Most of the time, the cardiovascular patient avoids presenting to the dental office for fear of decompensating his ailments. The vast majority of these patients end up with complicated dental lesions that require, moreover, the most complex treatments, up to dental extractions.

The stress induced by the famous “fear of the dentist” often overlaps with the underlying disease. Hypertensive patient management requires close interdisciplinary collaboration of the dentist with physicians, cardiologists, diabetologists, neurologists and all those specialists involved in the patient’s medical history.

 

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How Dentists Fill Cavities

Tooth decay is the most common condition worldwide. Because dental health affects the overall condition of the body, it is important to prevent cavities and not to delay the treatment of caries in the early stages.

Tooth decay does not go away on its own and if not treated in time or properly, they can evolve quickly and affect the structure of the natural teeth. The treatment of caries requires the attention of a skilled Columbine dentist to clean the entire affected surface, to repair the tooth with a dental filling and to ensure that the restored tooth will remain healthy in the long run.

The most common method of rehabilitating a tooth affected by caries is a dental filling. This procedure involves the dentist cleaning the area where caries has been installed by removing the affected tissues and filling the space with a composite, biocompatible with the body, that will have a color close to that of the natural tooth. This way, not only the health but also the functionality of the tooth will be restored.

Many patients ignore caries, until they lose their teeth and need a dental implant (an effective solution, but more expensive and sometimes more complicated than a simple dental filling treatment). That is why it is very important to schedule semi annual teeth cleaning appointments, along with an annual oral evaluation by a skilled Columbine dentist near me.

Sometimes the dentist manages to save the tooth, but the nerves inside it are affected and the patient will need endodontic treatment. The tooth that has undergone such an intervention retains its outer shell, but is devitalized, which makes it more prone to a fracture.

 

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