Have your pearly whites taken on a yellow tint? Are you concerned about this color on your teeth? You are not alone. Many Roseville residents want a bright smile, but their yellow teeth get in the way. Why do teeth turn yellow, and how can you prevent this?
Your teeth can turn from white to yellow for two main reasons, and the reasons are related. The first one is well-known: certain foods and drinks can directly stain your teeth. Unfortunately, the worst culprits are also acidic and can wear down the white enamel coating on your teeth.
Cola and other soft drinks, for example, are notorious for staining teeth. They are also highly acidic. In time, their acids can change the color of your teeth by destroying their protective outer layer. This less-common reason for yellow teeth is much more damaging to your dental health.
At its thickest point, tooth enamel is a natural shade of white. As it wears down, it develops translucent qualities that start to reveal the next tooth layer called dentin. This layer has a yellow tone that is darker than the enamel that covers it. The thinner the enamel becomes, the more yellow your teeth will look. Continue reading →
When most people think about cancer, they might not be thinking about oral or mouth cancer and that’s a problem. This year close to 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease and more than half of them will die within five years. Many of these deaths are preventable. If oral cancer is caught in its earliest stages, it is over 90% treatable.
Risk Factors
Although Americans over the age of 40 are at the greatest risk for oral cancer, the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population appears to be non-smokers under the age of fifty. This appears to be associated with exposure to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Other very high risk groups include heavy alcohol users and people who smoke or chew tobacco. If you fit into any of these categories, you will want to make sure that you are seen by your dentist regularly.
Other risk factors include the following:
Sun/Sunbed/Sunlamp Exposure – especially on the lips.
Diet – data suggests that people who consume too much red meat and high fat foods are more likely to develop oral cancer.
History of radiation treatment (radiotherapy) – particularly in the head and/or neck area.
Chemical Exposure – especially asbestos, sulfuric acid and formaldehyde.
GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) – people who suffer from GERD are at higher risk. Continue reading →
If you care about oral health, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about what goes into your mouth. You should be extra careful about what goes in there permanently. If you choose an unsafe filling, you face years of potentially harmful effects slowly influencing your health over time.
There’s no shortage of reasons to opt for porcelain fillings for your teeth. They are safer than other options while performing well over the long haul. Avoiding cavities is best, but when you do get one you need something safe, strong, and durable. You’ll want to live your life without worrying about the filling and without having to replace it anytime soon.
Some other materials for fillings have unfortunate side effects. While porcelain fillings are natural and safe, the other options out there have potentially dangerous chemicals and other hazards. We recommend porcelain fillings for their performance as well as for the peace of mind they offer in safety. Continue reading →
In the past several years, the number of people who are taking bisphosphonate drugs has steadily increased as medical researchers have made it clear that they offer patients a wide range of benefits. Aside from that, the potency of these new medical products has increased along with their clinical effects. Although bisphosphonates help dramatically reduce the morbidity rates of patients who are currently suffering from long-bone or vertebral factors, many people do not know that they also have hidden side effects that can ultimately ruin their dental treatment.
A Dental Liability
As the number of patients who are taking bisphosphonates increases, there also seems to be an enhanced effect of these drugs on an individual’s maxilla and the mandible resulting in an increased risk of bisphosphonate-induced jaw osteonocrosis. This is a condition found in patients who have either received oral or intravenous forms of this drug because of bone-related conditions.
This often manifests as an exposed nonvital bone that is detrimental a person’s maxillofacial structures. Many dental researchers believe that it is primarily caused by trauma to an individual’s dentoalveolar structures that often have a limited capability for bone healing due to common side effects caused by bisphosphonate therapy. Continue reading →
Pain is a common concern among Roseville patients who are planning to get a dental implant. Although any type of dental surgery does come with some degree of discomfort, the majority of patients usually find that the pain they experience from dental implants is only minimal. At the same time, the results are often well worth the recovery process.
An Ideal Solution
A dental implant is often the ideal solution for people who want to replace missing teeth. This is because they feel, perform and look like natural teeth. At the same time, a dental implant can last an entire lifetime with proper care. This can be achieved with flossing, brushing and regular dental check-ups.
A Not-So-Painful-Procedure
Dental implant surgery in Roseville is often performed with either general or local anesthesia. Because of this, the procedure itself is often not painful. The patient’s mouth will be numb as the implant is surgically attached to their jaw bone.
Roseville patients who are concerned about any sort of discomfort during the procedure should ask their dentist about sedative options. This can help them to feel more relaxed while they are in the dentist’s chair. Because of this, many patients report that a dental implant procedure is less painful than a tooth extraction. Continue reading →
The term gum disease refers to the infection of bones and tissues surrounding the teeth. The disease starts with mild growth of bacteria inside the mouth that may eventually lead to loss of teeth without proper treatment. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, many adults in America suffer from some form of the disease. Which are the main types of gum disease?
There are primarily two types of gum disease that may range from simple inflammation of the gums to severe damage of the bones and tissues supporting the teeth, leading to loss of the teeth. The services of an emergency dentist, therefore, come in handy in treating the disease and stopping further damage.
The mouth is full of bacteria that combine with different things, including mucus, to form a colorless and sticky matter on the teeth known as plaque. Continue reading →
Key Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Dentures
Roseville area residents who have lost or missing teeth can enjoy talking, smiling and chewing again by having missing teeth replaced with dentures. But dentures are not one size fits all and it’s important to choose the right type of dentures in order for them to look and feel as natural as real teeth as possible. As a long-time dental practitioner in Roseville, it has been our pleasure to assist many patients of all ages with the important task of determining what type of dentures are right for each patient’s specific needs.
Any patient considering getting dentures in order to restore missing teeth should schedule a consultation to meet at our Roseville office in order to learn more about the benefits of wearing the right type of dentures. Partial dentures are recommended for patients with only a few teeth missing. They can be designed as a permanent or fixed denture attached to existing teeth or a removable denture called a precision denture that must be inserted and removed on a daily basis. A fixed partial denture, commonly called a bridge, is often a good solution for solving gaps in the teeth. If all of a patient’s teeth are missing or many are in decaying shape, a complete denture is often the best solution. An immediate denture can be worn for several months following complete tooth loss and removal, replaced by permanent convention dentures. Continue reading →
Since the 1800s, dentists have filled cavities with silver amalgam, an alloy of metals that includes mercury. U.S. dentists continue to place millions of amalgam fillings each year. Recently, however, concerns have grown regarding the presence of mercury in silver amalgam fillings. According to some sources, the mercury poisons the entire body and causes a variety of ailments. Below is a deeper look at the contents and safety of silver amalgam fillings.
Content and Use of Amalgam Fillings
Dental amalgam is an alloy of metals, including about half mercury, around 25 percent silver, a bit less tin and copper and a small amount of trace metals. Due to their silver color, they are normally referred to as “silver fillings.” The amalgam is soft before being placed, allowing easier use by dentists and a faster procedure appreciated by everyone. Continue reading →
