Preventative Maintenance for Teeth

Post by: Gerarda on 19 Jun 2023

You take your car for an annual maintenance check then you also want to schedule an oral health check with your dentist as well.

Preventative maintenance for teeth includes regular brushing and flossing, regular dental check-ups and cleanings, and a healthy diet.

Brushing and flossing should be done at least twice a day to remove plaque and prevent tooth decay. Brush and floss after breakfast in the morning and again before you go to bed at night. Use an extra-soft toothbrush or e-brush.

Regular dental check-ups/dental examinations and cleanings help to identify and treat any issues before they become serious.

A healthy diet, low in sugar and high in calcium, can also help to keep teeth strong and healthy. Additionally, avoiding habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also help to maintain oral health. The excessive use of alcohol inhibits the absorption of nutrients such as thiamin (vitamin B1), vitamin B12, folic acid, and zinc.

Just like your car needs a regular oil change and air in the tires, your teeth need a defensive tactic in the form of regular check-ups, daily brushing and flossing and a healthy way of living.

Schedule your preventative maintenance today with a dental check-up/dental examination.

 

Categories: Dental Check-up,Dental examination,Dentist,Toothbrush
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Posted on Monday 19th June 2023 at 11:36 am

Types of Teeth to Cut, Tear, & Grind Food

Post by: Gerarda on 01 Jun 2023

Eating is one of the most fundamental activities we as humans engage in every day. We depend on our teeth to help us break down food so that we can extract the nutrients we need to stay healthy and to help us in the digestion of the food. They serve not least of all, to be a supporting structure for our faces. A question though!  Have you ever stopped to consider the different types of teeth we have and the roles they play in the process of digesting your food?

Humans have four different types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type of tooth serves a unique function in helping us cut, tear, and grind our food.

Incisors

Incisors are the four front teeth in our mouths and are the first to come into contact with our food. They are thin, sharp, and designed for cutting and slicing food. Incisors are especially helpful for biting into apples, carrots, and other crunchy fruits and vegetables. They are also essential for ripping and tearing meat and other tough foods.

Canines

Canines are the long, pointy teeth located next to our incisors, of which we have one on either side. They are the sharpest teeth in our mouths and are designed for ripping and tearing meat. The canine teeth are especially helpful for hunting and eating raw meat, which was a common part of our ancestors’ diets.

Premolars

Premolars are the teeth located between the canines and molars. They are larger and broader than the front teeth and have a flatter surface with ridges. Premolars are designed for crushing and grinding food. They are especially helpful for breaking down tough foods like nuts, seeds, and fibrous vegetables. There are two premolars one either side of the mouth.

Molars

Molars are the largest teeth in our mouths and are located at the back of our jaws. They have a broad surface with several ridges, which are designed for crushing and grinding food. Molars are especially helpful for breaking down tough meats, roots, and other hard-to-chew foods. There are three molars on either side of the mouth, but that also includes the wisdom teeth.

Humans have four different types of teeth, each serving a specific function in the food-digestion process. Understanding the roles of each type of tooth can help us appreciate the complexity of the human body and how it is designed to process the foods we eat.

Because teeth play such a vital role in the digestion of food and supporting our facial structure, it is important that they are well maintained. That means periodic trips to your dentist for a dental check-up/dental examination and a teeth cleaning. It also means brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing. Schedule a dental appointment today!

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Posted on Thursday 1st June 2023 at 1:30 pm

Contouring and Reshaping Teeth

Post by: Gerarda on 02 May 2023

Contouring and reshaping teeth is a cosmetic dental procedure that can involve aesthetic grinding to change the shape or the length of one or more teeth. The reshaping of teeth may also involve building up a tooth with composite to improve the overall appearance.

Contouring and reshaping teeth is done:
1. to remove small imperfections
2. to correct uneven or irregularly shaped teeth, especially on the edges
3. to correct excessively pointed, chipped, crowded or crooked teeth
4. to correct minor fractures, especially on the edges of the front teeth
5. to improve the overall appearance of the smile.

It is important to note that this procedure is mostly used for slight teeth corrections. More severe cases may require other treatments such as orthodontics, crowns or veneers to accomplish the desired results.

There are many procedures available to create a beautiful natural looking smile and still maintain good oral health. It is important for you to decide on the results you would like to achieve. It is also important for you to know what is possible to do.

Your Prosthodontist (Specialist in Dental Prosthetics) can help you decide. Call for a dental examination to assess what is needed and what is possible.

Having an appointment with a new dentist?

Post by: Gerarda on 01 Feb 2023

Be prepared: Know the outcome you are looking for and find out what is possible for the treatment you desire. Bring a panoramic x-ray /OPG if you have one. Write your questions down and bring them on the day of your appointment. Most of us think we will remember all we want to ask and after we have left the appointment, we suddenly remember something we forgot to ask.

Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask the dentist questions about their qualifications, experience, and if you have any special needs, that is the time to address them.

Observe: Look and listen to see how the staff interact, this can help you recognise the level of professionalism and comfort they provide.

Be honest: Provide accurate information about your dental health, including any allergies you have, medications you take and any past treatments you have had. Bring a list of medication and their uses if need be.

Note office hours & location: Make sure the clinic is open during hours that work for you and that it is conveniently located for you.

Make your dental appointments a regular occurrence. Schedule a dental check-up / dental examination today.

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Posted on Wednesday 1st February 2023 at 9:12 am

Why should wisdom teeth be extracted

Post by: Gerarda on 19 Jan 2023

Wisdom teeth extraction is recommended when the teeth cause problems as they try to emerge from the gums.

Some common reasons why wisdom teeth may need to be extracted include:

1. Impaction: Wisdom teeth can become impacted, meaning they are blocked from breaking through the gums. This can cause pain, swelling, and infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to damage of the surrounding teeth and jawbone.
2. Crowding: Wisdom teeth can push against other teeth and disrupt the alignment of the bite, causing crowding and misalignment of the other teeth.
3. Risk of Decay: Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, which makes them difficult to clean properly. As a result, they are at increased risk of decay and gum disease.
4. Infection: Wisdom teeth are located far back in the mouth, which makes them harder to clean and more susceptible to infection.

It’s important to note that if wisdom teeth do not cause any problems and are able to fully emerge and function properly, they can be left in place. However, it’s best to have a consultation with your dentist to determine if wisdom teeth extraction is necessary.

In addition, it’s recommended to have regular dental check-ups / dental examinations to monitor the position and overall health of your wisdom teeth, even if they are not causing problems at the moment.