Wednesday 28 September 2011

New Dental Care Technology And Your Teeth

By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

The world of modern dentistry is embracing exciting advances in technology for increased patient comfort, care, and convenience. Here are some ways dentistry is taking oral care into the new millennium.

Air Abrasion: High-speed delivery of "blasting particles" to a decayed tooth can replace the drill in many cases. The fine stream of air and aluminum oxide provides dentists with a more precise tool for removing decay quickly, without damaging surrounding sections of the tooth. This exciting dental treatment is also a plus for patients because it normally doesn't require any local anesthesia. While air abrasion may not be suitable for large areas of decay or the removal of silver fillings, it can be used to repair tiny cracks, remove stains, and smooth the tooth surface so that bonding materials adhere to the tooth.

Intra-oral Cameras: A tiny camera inserted into the patient's mouth allows the dentist to show the patient the exact nature of the problem. The image is enlarged and sent to a monitor that the patient and doctor view together. When patients can see the specific area in need of treatment, they're more likely to understand and accept the dentist's recommendation.

Lasers: Research continues at a fast pace in laser dentistry. Lasers have been used for years in a limited capacity, but their role in oral surgery is likely to increase.

Digitized X-rays: Computerized technology will allow a small sensor inside the patient's mouth to take the X-ray and immediately display it on a computer screen, eliminating film and darkroom processing, and reducing the radiation exposure for the patient.

Computers: There is a growing recognition of the role that computers can play in dental care. In the future, patient records may be kept on computer disks, including visual images captured on intraoral cameras. A computerized workstation beside the patient's chair will give the dentist the ability to view the patient's history from disk. The dentist might also use a voice-recognition system to ask the computer to assist in finding that data, or generate a "before and after" image so the patient can preview the result of dental treatment before it is done.

CD-ROM: Patient education will be a snap with information stored on CD-ROM. Procedures can be explained to patients in advance and post-operative instructions can be provided for them to take home.

With a new hi-tech face on modern dentistry, patients can look forward to a new face in dentistry and greater comfort with more "byte!"


Above article from: www.1stdentalcare.com

Dental Care Bellevue WA
Smiles of Bellevue


Tel: 425-455-2424
1418 112th Avenue NE, Suite 200
BellevueWA 98004
USA

Monday 26 September 2011

Interesting dental facts!

Did You Know...

The major causes of tooth loss in people under the age of 35 are sports, accidents and fights.

George Washington's dentures were made from walrus, hippopotamus, and cow's teeth, as well as elephant tusks.

In 200 AD, the Romans used a mixture of bones, eggshells, oyster shells and honey to clean their teeth.

The second most common disease in the United States is tooth decay. The first is the common cold.

How much is the Tooth Fairy paying per tooth? Around $2 per tooth, according to Securian Dental Plans, an insurance provider.

An average American spends 38.5 total days brushing teeth over a lifetime.

Commercial floss was first manufactured in 1882, but Egyptians invented the first toothpaste 5000 years ago.

American sweet tooth: Americans spent $21 billion on candy in 2001. That's more than the gross national products of Lituania, Costa Rica and Mozambique combined!

Egyptians were among the first dentists. Some mummies have teeth filled with a kind of resin and malachite. In other mummies, gold wire has been used to bind loose teeth.

The greater the amount of time food remains in the mouth, the greater the chance for decay.

The sequence that foods are eaten can determine the risk for cavities. If you eat sugary foods after meals, you decrease the chance for cavities, as opposed to eating sugary foods alone.

In the United States, close to 3 million miles of dental floss was purchased in 1996 by dental consumers - enough to circle the earth nearly 120 times!

During the middle ages, people went to barbers for tooth extractions. These practitioners were called barber-surgeons and were marked by the iconic red and white striped barber poles that are still used today.

Anesthesia was invented by a dentist - Dr. Wells from Hartford, CT. A monument dedicated to his contribution is located in Bushnell Park in Hartford.

The above fun facts are from: www.compdentalhealth.com

Dental Care Bellevue WA
Smiles of Bellevue



Tel: 425-455-2424
1418 112th Avenue NE, Suite 200
BellevueWA 98004
USA

Sunday 25 September 2011

Dental Care FAQS

Dental Care FAQs Article 1
Q. How do you clean your dentures?
A. In cleaning your dentures you should first rinse away loose food particles thoroughly. Then moisten your toothbrush and apply denture cleanser. Brush every surface, scrubbing gently to avoid damage.

Q. Why do your teeth seem darker as you age?
A. Your teeth may seem darker because plaque can build up faster and in larger amounts as you age. Changes in dentin can cause your teeth to appear a little darker as well.

Q. Why does your mouth seem dry?
A. Dry mouth is a common problem among seniors. It is caused by certain medical disorders and is often a side effect of some medications.

Q. Are seniors more susceptible to gum disease?
A. Yes. The severity of gum disease may be increased due to ill-fitting dentures or bridges, poor diets, poor oral hygiene, other medical diseases, and even some medications.

Q. Why do seniors lose their sense of taste?
A. Seniors tend to lose their sense of taste because age decreases the sense of taste and smell. Certain diseases, medications and dentures can also contribute to the decrease of your sense of taste.

Q. Should seniors be worried about cavities?
A. Yes. The majorities of seniors have tooth-root decay and are more susceptible to cavities.

Q. Why should women be more careful with their oral health?
A. For many women, dental care depends on their different stages of life that are directly related to surges in sex hormone levels. Your dentist may request to see you more frequently during hormonal surges.

Q. How do oral contraceptives affect women’s oral health?
A. Gingivitis may occur with long-term use of oral contraceptives because they contain estrogen or progesterone. Women who use oral contraceptives are two times as likely to develop dry sockets and require dental care more often.

Q. How does pregnancy affect oral health?
A. There is an increase in the amount of plaque on your teeth due to pregnancy because there is an increase in estrogen and progesterone.

Q. How does morning sickness affect oral health?
A. The acid in vomit causes tooth erosion. Women can neutralize the acid by using a baking soda and water paste and rubbing it on their teeth. Rinse the paste off after 30 seconds and then brush and floss.

Q. What is the likeliness of having tumors during pregnancy?
A. Women are at risk for developing pregnancy tumors that are benign growths that develop when swollen gums become irritated. The tumors usually shrink soon after the pregnancy is over.

Q. How does plaque build-up affect pregnant women?
A. If plaque is not removed it can cause gingivitis and women with periodontal disease may be at risk for pre-term, low-birth weight babies.

Q. What problems occur for girls experiencing puberty?
A. The surge in hormones that occurs during puberty may cause swollen gums, especially during menstruation. Herpes-type lesions and ulcers can also develop. They may also experience sensitive gums that react more to irritants.

Q. What are intraoral cameras?
A. An intraoral camera is a miniature video camera that the dentist places in the patient’s mouth so that together they can view any dental problems that the patient is having. The image from the camera is enlarged and sent to a monitor for viewing.

Q. What is the purpose of intraoral cameras?
A. The purpose behind intraoral cameras is to allow the patient to see the specific area that needs treatment so that they are more likely to understand the dentist’s recommendation and accept it.


Above FAQs from: www.1stdentalcare.com

Preventive Dentistry - Restorative Dentistry Bellevue WA
Smiles of Bellevue



Tel: 425-455-2424
1418 112th Avenue NE, Suite 200
BellevueWA 98004
USA