As summer temperatures rise so will people’s thirst. Unfortunately, many people will grab a carbonated drink or iced tea instead of water. It isn’t just coke’s empty calories – about 150 per 350ml can – you should worry about. Many of these beverages harm enamel, the protective shell around teeth. Exposing dental enamel to carbonated […]
Most people recognise dental amalgam as silver fillings. Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper. Mercury, which makes up about 50 percent of the compound, is used to bind the metals together and to provide a strong, hard, durable filling material. After years of research, mercury has been found to be […]
There is a growing trend in medicine today, toward holistic or alternative medical treatments. Books on alternative medicine fill the shelves at the local bookstore. Authors, gurus, doctors and “healers” work the talk-show circuit. Late-night television infomercials pitch the latest vitamins, herbs, diets and exercise programs. More and more, alternative medicine fights for your attention, […]
Dry mouth (also called xerostomia) is caused by a decrease in the amount of saliva in the mouth. Conditions that affect the salivary glands may interfere with their function and prevent them from working properly. The salivary glands help keep your mouth moist. The composition of the saliva also help prevent tooth decay and other […]
What is bruxism? Bruxism is the technical term for grinding and clenching of the teeth that may cause facial pain and tooth changes. People who grind and clench their teeth, called bruxers, unintentionally bite down too hard at inappropriate times, such as in their sleep. In addition to grinding teeth, bruxers also may bite their fingernails, […]
While you may be advised to wear your denture almost constantly during the first two weeks – even while you sleep – under normal circumstances it is considered best to remove it at night and soak the denture in cleansing solution or water. Research has shown that removing the denture for at least eight hours […]
When a person bruxes, opposing teeth grind against each other. The tips of these teeth may flatten and wear down. This wear may involve individual specific teeth or all of the teeth. As the wear continues the inner core of the tooth (dentine) may become exposed. When exposed, dentin may cause the tooth to become […]
Crowns require more tooth structure removal, hence they cover more of the tooth than veneers. Crowns are customarily indicated for teeth that have sustained significant loss of structure or to replace missing teeth. Crowns may be placed on natural teeth or dental implants. Porcelain veneers require that enamel remains on the tooth to facilitate good […]
At school, children should rinse their mouth with water after meals, leaving their teeth free of sugar and acid. At home, encourage children to drink tap and avoid bottled water where possible. Use a straw when drinking soft drinks to keep sugar away from teeth. If you purchase bottled water, be sure that it is […]
Dental implants fuse to the surrounding bone and by doing so provide fixed stable anchors for dental restorations. When strategically placed, implants can be used to support a variety of dental restorations thereby eliminating the need for a removable denture. The cost tends to be greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble real […]
