Dental Procedures and Dental Conscious SedationEvery year millions of Americans suffer from toothaches and gum diseases just because of poor dental hygiene. Dental checkups are a great way of maintaining your teeth's health but one question that remains in people's minds is why people still fail to visit their dentist.Going to the dentist is like visiting your doctor for your yearly checkups. We all know that both are important for our health but we still fail to do so.A trip to the dentist is not something most people look forward to, it is not like going to the movies or a short trip to the mall. In fact, going to the dentist brings negative thoughts to some people. This is mainly due to their fear that dental procedures, such as tooth extractions, are painful. New developments in the field of Dentistry, like anesthesia, have made dental procedures, such as tooth extractions safer and virtually painless.What exactly is conscious sedation?Anxiety and fear are the main reasons why patients fail to visit their dentists. Dental conscious sedation allows the patient to be awake and aware of the dental procedure as it happens. This allows you to interact with your doctor to remove your ... read full article

No one likes the sounds of a high RPM dental drill buzzing inside their mouth. That's one of the main reasons air abrasion was created. Air abrasion is a newer technique to remove tooth decay using ultra fine particles of silica, or aluminum oxide. These particles are focused, using compressed air, to gently remove the diseased portion of your tooth, which is then suctioned away. Air abrasion generally requires less of the tooth to be removed, possibly reducing your need for local anesthesia. The technique is safe, but certain precautions are recommended. The use of protective eye wear is needed to prevent eye irritation from the spray. Also, a rubber dam, or resin coating is generally used to protect your healthy teeth. Air abrasion is used most often in cases of smaller cavities, old composite resin fillings, to prepare the tooth surface for dental bondings, or to remove certain tooth stains. It can be more expensive than using a drill, so consult with your dentist to discuss if this is the right technique for you. What Are the Advantages of Air Abrasion? Here are some of the advantages of air abrasion: * There is no generation of heat, sound, pressure and vibration. * The ... read full article

Early childhood tooth decay, the most common disease during childhood, can take a heavy toll on children. This disease, characterized by severe decay in the teeth of infants or young children, can affect their development, school performance and behavior. According to 2007 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the condition ”also known as baby bottle caries, or baby bottle tooth decay” affects one in every five 3-year-olds. And this number increases to 40 percent by the time children start kindergarten. If left untreated, the condition can lead to pain, infection and tooth loss. The child will have difficulty eating or speaking, not to mention a poor appearance. All of these can hinder the development of the child's self-esteem. Continuing pain can disturb sleep and alter patterns of play. It can distract a child, making him unable to concentrate on school work and learning. The problem is compounded if poor oral health leads to staying away from school, as absenteeism clearly contributes to failure in school. According to an article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association titled The Human and Economic Cost of Early Childho ... read full article

What do patients think of when they think of a visit to the dentist? Usually it's the dreaded whirr of the dentist's drill working away inside our mouth, which can make us feel upset, terrified, helpless, or vulnerable. Will it be painful? Will I need a shot? What if the Novocain wears off too soon? Rational and irrational thoughts alike make us suffer from dental anxiety. But dental visits do not have to be terrifying anymore, thanks to new developments in dental technology like waterlase dentistry. How it works Waterlase drills use laser energy and a gentle spray of water. As a result they help dentists perform restorations without generating heat, vibration and pressure generally associated with the conventional dental drill. For many procedures, it is possible to use less anesthetic; and in some cases, no anesthetic at all. Advantages of waterlase dentistry There are many advantages to using waterlase technology: Noise and vibration: Although there may be a popping sound, there is no vibration whats ... read full article

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease. Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums.   The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay.  Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar).  If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease. Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other Toothbrushing Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.  -  Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.  -  Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.  -  Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth. -  Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath. Electric toothbrushes are also recommended.  They are easy to use and can rem ... read full article