Paxton, MA dentist explains the purpose of implants to replace your missing teeth
The pieces of the mouth work together as a unit. The loss of a single part disrupts the natural balance and function. Losing just one tooth may cause the adjacent teeth to shift, bone loss, or gum problems. Now, you can replace your missing teeth with dental implants. Dr. Scott Siemen and the team at Paxton Dental Care in Paxton, MA offer implants for missing teeth to help patients regain their beautiful, properly functioning smiles. Dental implants for missing teeth Made of titanium or ceramic, a dental implant is a cylinder or post that is precisely positioned in the jaw … Continue reading
Worcester area dentist explains the benefits of porcelain veneers
Imagine having a beautiful, white, even smile. With only a few seconds to make a good impression, a beautiful smile boosts your self-esteem and helps your personal and professional relationships. Cosmetic dentistry procedures can help you achieve your smile goals. Worcester area dentist Dr. Scott Siemen and the team at Paxton Dental Care offer porcelain veneers for smile enhancement. Veneers were initially created to temporarily transform the smiles of Hollywood stars while they were performing. Now, a beautiful smile is readily available to anyone. Veneers are made of ultra-thin porcelain shells which are then bonded to the front of the … Continue reading
Going Sugar Free… The Right Way
Thinking about cutting back on sugar? You may be considering replacing your sugar intake with artificial sweeteners to cut the number of calories you take in. However, there are certain things to watch out for: “Sugarless” isn’t always so – A product may claim to be ‘sugarless’ or ‘no sugar added’ but that doesn’t mean that there is no sugar, it just means they didn’t add any refined sugar to it during processing. Have a look at the nutrition information to see how many carbs are in the food to get a better idea of how much sugar there is in … Continue reading
The Unseen Repercussions of Tooth Loss
When one loses a tooth, it is easy to see the aesthetic issues that can pose for an individual. A missing tooth can cause various psychological and social consequences depending on how a person handles such an event. There are a number of unseen effects of tooth loss that can have a direct impact on oral and overall health. After tooth loss occurs, it is common to see a decrease in the width of the alveolar bone—which contain tooth sockets. Loss of the alveolar bone can trigger loss of the jaw bone, which in turn can cause facial reconfiguration and … Continue reading
What You Should Know About Breastfeeding and Oral Health
If you’re a new or expectant mother, then it’s a critical time to help your infant’s oral health. Although your infant may not have any chompers of their own just yet, studies have shown that breastfeeding may be an important step in building the framework for their smile! A study done by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that children who breastfeed are more likely to have properly aligned teeth. This finding aligns with similar research that concludes that breastfed children are less likelier to develop teeth misalignment later on in life. These results were increased when children were … Continue reading
Activated Charcoal: Safe or Scary?
You’ve probably seen this new dental trend on your social media feeds: beauty influencers sporting pitch black smiles and swearing the result is cleaner, whiter teeth. The product? Activated charcoal powders, applied and brushed onto teeth in lieu of toothpaste. No one can deny its popularity, but is this craze hot, or hazardous? Activated charcoal has long been used medicinally thanks to its absorbency. In fact, hospitals usually have the black stuff on hand to soak up poisonous substances a patient may have accidentally ingested. The idea behind using charcoal in your mouth is similar; if it can absorb poison, … Continue reading
4 Rare and Unusual Dental Issues
While most people are familiar with common issues (such as dental carries or impacted wisdom teeth), there are some issues that are far less common and less known. Anodontia Anodontia (also known as Hypodontia) is a condition where some teeth never grow in place. Depending on how many teeth are missing, dentists either treat it with implants, dentures, or simply shifting teeth over to fill in the gap. Talon Cusps This condition involves a talon-like protrusion that grows at the back of a child’s tooth. It usually occurs behind incisors or canines. These protrusions can cause problems such as a … Continue reading
Dentures vs. Implants: A Guide
If you are missing teeth and looking to restore beauty and functionality to your smile, your dentist has probably thrown around the words “dentures” and “implants” quite a bit. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to remember the differences in looks, installation, and cost. This guide will provide you with a quick overview of the similarities and differences between dentures and implants, so you can make an educated decision on which restoration is right for you! The health of your gums and jaw are major factors in whether you should choose implants or dentures. If you have strong, healthy gums and jaw … Continue reading
Taking Care of Teeth After Cancer Treatment
There are plenty of health challenges to face after cancer treatment, including oral health issues. You might need anything from a simple cleaning to more extensive dental work. Here are some tips to follow so that you can get the best oral health once you finish treatment. Visit your dentist to find out what is going on in your mouth. Many cancer patients may have severe tooth decay due to dry mouth syndrome that occurs during treatment. A dentist can help treat the decay by filling cavities and doing other procedures to ease oral health issues. What can you do … Continue reading
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Oral Health
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that afflicts over 1.3 million Americans. Many people don’t realize that there are serious oral health risks that have been associated with arthritis. Current research suggests that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at a greater risk for gum disease and other oral health issues. If you’re a patient who suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, do not fear! Below are three steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums happy and healthy. One of the most common forms of bacteria buildup in the mouth, gingivitis, causes an inflammation of the gums and tissues and … Continue reading
