We’ve all been told how important routine dental care is. Few of us are unaware of the benefits of brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist’s office. However, not everyone knows that the issues that can impact your smile also have an effect on your overall wellbeing. Let’s discover this interaction by discussing the following aspects:
The Results of Neglecting your Teeth
When we neglect our teeth and gums, they break down. What starts with tooth decay can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and problems with your general health. An example of this includes cavities, holes in your teeth caused by bacteria that feed on leftover food fragments, especially sugars.
This bacteria also irritates the gum tissue and eventually pockets develop, causing the gums to recede. Less structural support means a more vulnerable tooth. Finally, this bacteria eats away at the jaw bone. Once dental neglect has gotten this far, there is a high risk that the teeth that are present will be lost.
Studies have also shown a direct relationship between heart and lung disease and this particular oral bacteria.
Your Dental Care Options and Benefits
Starting with exams, and fillings, your dentist can help you avoid being a victim of the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
The following are some of the procedures that can help enhance your dental health, restoring teeth impacted by dental neglect, genetics, or some medications:
Crowns – This is a cap for teeth that are broken or have cavities that are too large for fillings. When replacing a single tooth, a crown can also be added as one of the last steps of the dental implant process.
Dental Implants – The gold standard for tooth replacement, this procedure replaces teeth and helps preserve your jaw line which may have become vulnerable to bone loss due to periodontal disease and tooth loss.
Dentures and Bridges – Traditional dentures are adhesive based and, while they replace missing teeth, they do nothing for the resulting bone loss and do not provide a stable bite. Implant retained dentures and bridges are a much better choice and are more affordable in a larger treatment plan than individual implants.
Aesthetic Dental Services
Once the health of your smile has been established, there are procedures available from your dentist to restore the wellness that comes with an improved appearance. Some of these options include:
Teeth Whitening – A simple treatment that has been improved on over many years to make it a safe and effective way to brighten up to ten shades and get a beautiful smile.
Veneers – An excellent choice for teeth that are unevenly spaced, mildly misaligned, or that have whitening resistant discoloration due to genetics or antibiotic use during development.
If you are in the Pikesville area and are considering addressing your dental concerns, or just want more information, call Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Maryland today.
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