My Dental Visit
What Happens During A Dental Exam?
You have just chosen the dentist that you will work with to provide your dental care. The initial dental exam procedures have begun with the x-rays, teeth cleaning, exam, and now getting to the diagnosis. At this time, you may have a tooth that you know will need restoring. Or you may not have been aware that any cavity has started, such as between the teeth. Those are really hard to find as they are first noticed on the annual or biannual x-rays. With x-rays there is valuable information that the dentist looks for. He looks for cavities, even between the teeth, looks at the bone level, checks for any abnormalities. After the viewing of the x-rays, the dentist will look at the tissues all over the mouth; such as the palate, gums, tongue, feels for any lumps, looks for infection (swelling of the gums) or any redness of gums.
The Basics of Preventing Tooth Decay
Cavities are awful. They create ugly holes in teeth, resulting in fillings, in severe cases root canals, crowns, or even extraction. There is no guaranteed way to ensure a natural tooth never gets a cavity, but there are a certain things that can make it far less likely to happen. The factors involved are: the presence of bacteria, the sugars in your diet, and Fluoride.
To start, bacteria are the cause of tooth decay. Many different types of bacteria are found in plaque (biofilm) build-up. There are certain types that cause cavities between the teeth, and they feed on carbohydrates. Read More
Genetic Testing for Periodontal Disease
Did you know that periodontal disease, the bacterial infection that deteriorates the foundational tissues of your teeth, is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults? Did you also know that approximately 30% of the population has a gene that predisposes them to this disease? Are you wondering if there is a way to tell if you are part of this 30%? Well, you’re in luck because there is, and it is offered here at Dental Dynamics.
Thanks to the latest technological developments of OralDNA Labs, two different tests are available which will help your dentist or hygienist determine the appropriate treatment for your individual situation. These tests include the MyPerioPath Test and the MyPerioID PST Test. Both tests are simple to take, quickly processed and returned and provide a wealth of information regarding your oral health.
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Do I Have To Get Dental X-Rays?
Do you really need dental x-rays at the dentist? They are inconvenient, often uncomfortable, and then they have the radiation factor. On the flip side, x-rays show if you have tooth decay, abnormalities of the teeth and jaw, and can spare you significant pain and expense when these problems are caught early. As a patient, you will always have the choice to decline or accept x-rays as a diagnostic tool. Unfortunately, I have found that the facts about dental x-rays are often misunderstood or unknown altogether.
I have met many patients that decline on the basis that they “feel just fine”. Right away, I can say that not all dental problems cause pain or discomfort, in fact, it is better to find things like decay and periodontal disease in the early (and often painless) stages. This can give you the option of treating the problem sooner, reducing overall expense, discomfort, and increasing the likelihood Read More