Extrinsic and Intrinsic Factors to Watch Out

Why do teeth stain? Firstly, know where teeth get their coloration. Then know the factors that contribute to why teeth stain or discolor or darken with time.

Teeth are made up mainly of calcium and phosphate which are minerals that render your teeth extremely hard. The enamel is the outer layer of teeth that has a natural whitish hue. However, you can have other minerals in teeth that add shades of gray and yellow. Beneath the enamel is the teeth’s second layer – the dentin – which is yellow in color.

Aging is one of the factors that contribute to tooth color. As one ages the outer enamel of teeth can erode or become thinner. This process gradually allows the yellow dentin to show through. The dentine layer also increases in size as one ages, making the middle part – the pulp – to decrease in size. Now teeth can look somewhat darker as the translucency of teeth is reduced.

Extrinsic or outside factors also cause stains or discoloration of teeth. A particular lifestyle can stain your teeth yellow, especially if you are a smoker or if you chew tobacco. Your choice of certain drinks like coffee, tea, colas, and red wine can cause yellowish to brownish discoloration if taken beyond moderation and without proper oral care. Certain dark-colored fruits like blueberries may also cause staining.

Another external factor to consider is poor dental hygiene. Not brushing and flossing your teeth properly and regularly can cause a buildup of plaque which may cause seemingly discolored teeth.

Intrinsic or internal factors can also cause teeth to darken. The dentin within can be especially affected. Certain medications can discolor teeth. For example, meds for high blood pressure, antipsychotic drugs, antihistamines, and some drugs for chemotherapy can cause stains. Trauma or injury to a tooth, and tooth decay can cause the tooth to darken. Excessive use of fluoride is also contributory. It can lead to fluorosis that manifests as white patches on the tooth surface and a mottled enamel.

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Keeping Your Smiles Bright In Bellevue

Know more about teeth staining and discoloration from your Bellevue dentist. Learn from us what to avoid and good habits to pick up to maintain your pearly whites.

Oral Hygiene and Healthy Lifestyle

When you realize the cause of your bad breath, there are remedial steps you can do to correct the situation. The most important, of course, is sticking to proper oral hygiene. However, if it persists, your dental professional is your go-to person for halitosis.

Here some easy remedies to arrest bad breath and bring back your tingling fresh breath:

1. After a thorough brushing with fluoride toothpaste (at least twice daily) and a once-daily flossing, end with a good mouth rinse that will rid of the odor-causing compounds in your mouth.
2. Remember to also brush your tongue.
3. Moderate or limit your intake of sweet and acidic juices, coffee and alcohol, and stay hydrated with lots of water to drink. Regulate your water intake depending on your physical activities and your body build.
4. Go for sugarless gum to stimulate saliva production; this is one way to stay hydrated and avoid smoking. Avoid mints because they leave a sugary residue.
5. Quit smoking.

There are also treatments for bad breath that seem to have no causative factor. If your bad breath is chronic you may have to visit a dental professional about it. Your dentist may prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse to keep bacteria in check. However, a thorough oral examination may be necessary to be able to rule out tooth decay and caries, gum disease, an abscess, or a “dirty” tongue. A treatment plan should be carried out to address any oral condition that may be causing your halitosis.

If your dentist has ruled out any other oral issue, and your bad breath still persists, it may be time to see your medical doctor. You may have an infection or illness elsewhere in the body and you need further evaluation. Bad breath can be a sign of respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis or bronchitis, diabetes, or liver and kidney problems.

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Learning More About Bad Breath in Bellevue

Come see your Bellevue dentist if you think you have halitosis. You will know more how to keep this affliction at bay and feel confident again.

Setting The Record Straight

It is true that dental x-rays expose an individual to doses of radiation. However, this very essential tool of dentistry emits only very low and negligible levels that are considered safe for children and adults. Risks are kept to a minimum and dental offices are required to practise safety precautions at all levels. For your concerns, find out what risks may be involved

Firstly, you might wonder if you need x-rays each time you go see your dentist. Frequent taking of x-rays may happen with some patients whose oral health condition requires it. If you are under treatment for an unstable oral condition, regular x-rays are needed to monitor the progress of the treatment and your response. However, if you are a healthy person and haven’t had cavities and other issues for a few years, you don’t need to have x-rays each time.

For most people, dental x-rays every 6 months or on a yearly basis, depending on your oral hygiene, is sufficient.

Is it better and safer to take traditional x-rays on film rather than digital x-rays? In fact, if your dentist uses digital X-rays instead of developing them on film, your risks from radiation exposure are even lower. In fact, as much as 90% reduction in exposure is assured with digital x-ray, and additionally, the results are sharper, clearer, and more precise. X-rays that are digital are quick to access, eco-friendly, and easier to keep as a record.

Pregnant women should never have dental x-rays. Though the process is safe for pregnant women, most patients who are pregnant or suspect to be pregnant would decline to have x-rays until after the pregnancy is over. However, there are situations when it may be necessary to have x-rays. Pregnancy increases the risk for gum disease and hence, radiography may be required. Your dentist will ask you to wear a lead apron that protects the abdomen, chest and pelvis. Know that there is no added risk for breastfeeding women.

Can frequent dental x-rays cause brain tumors? An article came out based on a 2012 study which dealt with dental X-rays and brain cancer, specifically meningioma which is a benign brain tumor. It points out that exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with an increased risk of brain tumors. However, experts said that on the contrary, more than 90% of such tumors are more directly related to medical, not dental, radiographs. More studies are thereby necessary to make causal conclusions.

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Know More About Safe Dental X-Rays in Bellevue

At Overlake Dental, rest assured that our patients necessitating x-rays are afforded the best safety precautions. Bellevue dentistry practices high-technology and safe radiography.

Helpful Diagnostic Tool In Every Dental Office

Dental x-rays or dental radiographs are images of the teeth and surrounding tissues. These images help the dental professional analyze and assess your oral health issues by giving valuable information about the teeth, gums, and surrounding bone structure. Find out how x-rays work and when they are most helpful.

X-rays pass through the mouth in very low levels of radiation that penetrate the interior of tooth, gum, and bone structure. As it is, the teeth and the bone absorb more of the radiation so they appear lighter or whiter on the final image. If there is presence of decay or an infection, those areas appear darker than the rest as they do not absorb as much radiation.

Your dentist may require you to have an x-ray if there is a need. It does not entail special preparation. However, it may be ideal to have to brush your teeth before the appointment. This will ensure a more aseptic environment to work on.

Most x-rays are intraorally taken, or inside the mouth. There are different views, hence, different types of x-rays. There’s the periapical technique that catches images of a few teeth at a time using small film cards inserted in the mouth. It focuses on a couple of complete teeth, from root to the crown. The bitewing technique involves biting down on your teeth, primarily to see the alignment of the crowns. It also checks for cavities between teeth. The panoramic x-ray is a wrap-around image of the patient’s mouth, useful for studying the jaw and the position of the teeth relative to one another. It can also check the wisdom teeth and any present jaw issues.

The cephalometric x-rays (extraoral) capture the image of the entire head in profile. These x-rays are usually used by orthodontists to assess or diagnose misalignment of the jaw, relationships between crooked and non-crooked teeth, and any bite problems.

How helpful are dental x-rays? As earlier mentioned, different x-ray views offer their specific uses. Generally, radiographic images identify abscesses, cavities, cysts or tumors, impaction, and other developmental abnormalities. It enables your dentist to make a plan of treatment, whether that may be a restorative or corrective nature.

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For Better Oral Health In Bellevue

Dental x-rays are one of those diagnostic tools that makes dental treatment efficient and effective.

Easy Treatment And Prevention

Tooth sensitivity can be treated. Once the cause is ascertained by your dentist, there are several treatment options available. And to prevent sensitivity from coming back, know what steps you can take as precautions.

Depending on the cause of your teeth sensitivity, here are some of the treatment options.

• If tooth sensitivity is due to over brushing, your dentist will advise you to alter your brushing mode, and perhaps to shift to a soft-bristle toothbrush which is gentler on the enamel and on your gums.
• If tooth sensitivity is caused by tooth decay, a broken or chipped tooth, the proper restorative work should be in order. Decay should be removed and the appropriate filling material applied. Otherwise, if the tooth concerned can still be saved, root canal therapy may be an option.
• For teeth grinding, your dentist may prescribe the use of a mouthguard, also called a dental guard. It puts a barrier in between your teeth, generally while you sleep at night, to prevent the clenching of your teeth.
• When you have gum recession, your dentist can prescribe several options. You may need a professional cleaning called scaling and root planing. Your dentist may also use desensitizing agents, varnishes, or dentin bonding agents to lessen the sensitivity of the exposed root. Another option for receding gums is flap surgery.
• Visit your specialist if you are experiencing GERD or reflux disease. The acidic content of your stomach may be doing damage to your teeth and a prescription would be necessary to lessen the volume of acid or the acidity per se of the reflux.

Here are some steps you can take to keep tooth sensitivity at bay:

• Sticking to your regular and proper oral hygiene routine prevents the occurrence of tooth sensitivity. Brush twice daily with fluoride and floss once daily.
• You can ask your dentist for teeth-sensitive toothpaste and medicated mouthwash that are more gentle on teeth and gums.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which will help prevent gum loss.
• Avoid too sugary and acidic foods and drinks.

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Available Treatment Options By Bellevue Dentistry

Tooth sensitivity is a treatable and preventable condition for a lot of patients. Come to Overlake Dental and see your Bellevue dentist for the most appropriate option for you.