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A tooth abscess is an infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a
tooth. The most common cause is severe tooth decay. Other causes of tooth
abscess are trauma to the tooth, such as when it is broken or chipped, and gum
disease.
These pr... |
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Air abrasion is a newer technique that is being used by some dentists to
remove tooth decay and for other applications.
How does air abrasion work?
An instrument that works like a mini-sandblaster is used to spray away
decay. During the procedure, ... |
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Bad breath
Bad breath, or halitosis, can result from poor oral
hygiene habits or may be a sign of other oral health problems. Bad breath can
also be made worse by the types of foods you eat or by unhealthy lifestyle
habits.
How does what you eat a... |
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If you have crooked teeth and/or a misaligned bite (an underbite or
overbite), your dentist may recommend that you see an orthodontist. Orthodontists are
dentists who specialize in correcting irregularities of the teeth using braces,
retainers, and ot... |
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When should I start to brush my child’s teeth?
Teeth should be cleaned as soon as they emerge. By starting early, your baby
gets used to the daily routine. A soft washcloth wrapped around your finger can
substitute for a brush at this time. Ask your d... |
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With proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy throughout your life.
The healthier your teeth and gums, the less risk you have for tooth decay and
gum disease. This document describes how you can keep your teeth and gums
healthy.
How can I ca... |
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With proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy throughout your life.
The healthier your teeth and gums are, the less risk you have for tooth decay
and gum disease.
How can I care for my teeth and gums?
There are four basic steps to caring f... |
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Cavities occur as a result of tooth decay. Tooth decay is the destruction of
tooth structure. Tooth decay can affect both the enamel (the outer coating of
the tooth) and the dentin layer of the tooth (see diagram).
Tooth decay occurs when foods contai... |
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With so many dental care products (competing toothpastes, toothbrushes,
mouthwashes etc.) on the market today, how should you decide which product to
use? This document provides information to help guide your decision-making among
the various types of... |
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There are a number of different medications your dentist may prescribe for
you, depending on your condition. Some medications are prescribed to fight
certain oral diseases, to prevent or treat infections, or to control pain and
relieve anxiety.
The l... |
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Abscess: an infection of a tooth, soft tissue, or bone
Abutment: tooth or teeth on either side of a missing tooth that support a
fixed or removable bridge
Acrylic resin: the plastic widely used in dentistry
ADA Seal of Acceptance: a designation ... |
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Fear of pain is the main reason people avoid seeing the dentist. The good
news is that there is a wide array of medications and techniques – used alone
or in combination – that can reduce or eliminate pain and control anxiety
during most procedures.
... |
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Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material (a
durable plastic material) is applied and hardened with a special light, which
ultimately "bonds" the material to the tooth to restore or improve an
individual’s smile.
... |
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Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap—these
two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth—and a false tooth or teeth in
between. These fa... |
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Why is oral health important for my infant?
Oral health is important for a child’s growth and development, overall
health and well being, and self-esteem. Tooth decay can lead to pain, infection,
malnutrition, poor weight gain, and premature loss of t... |
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How often should I go to the dentist?
The standard recommendation is to visit your dentist twice a year for
check-ups and cleanings. This frequency level works well for most people, although
some people with gum disease, a genetic predisposition for p... |
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What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth
-- covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve
its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase th... |
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My dentist has recommended a treatment that is not covered by my dental health plan. Does this mean the treatment really isn't necessary?
It is a common practice for dental plans to exclude treatments that are
covered under a medical health plan. In addi... |
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Dental health benefit plans vary widely because each involves a negotiated
contract between you or your employer, the dentist providing the care, a dental
insurance carrier, and sometimes an administrator responsible for processing and
payment of clai... |
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Academy of General Dentistry
211 East Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-4300
Web: www.agd.org
Academy of Laser Dentistry
PO Box 8667
Coral Springs, FL 33075
(954) 346-3776
Fax: (954) 757-2598
E-mail: MemberServices@LaserDentistry.org
... |
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Dental language restorations are the various types of
solutions you and your dentist can consider to replace or restore missing teeth
or missing parts of the tooth structure. Tooth structure can be missing because
of
decay, deterioration of a previo... |
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What are dental veneers?
Veneers (also sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain
laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that
are designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells are bonded to th... |
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X-rays are a form of energy that can travel through or be absorbed by solid
objects. X-rays are absorbed by dense objects, such as teeth and bones, and show
up on X-rays as light-colored areas. X-rays pass through less dense objects,
such as gums and ... |
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What can I do to make my child less anxious about his or her first visit to the
dentist?
Parents play an important role in making
their child's first dental office visit a positive experience. Any anxiety displayed by
parents will be picked up by the... |
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If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone. Between 9% and 15% of
Americans state they avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear.
People with dental anxiety have a sense of uneasiness about the upcoming
dental appointment. They ma... |
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How do I find a dentist?
The American Dental Association (ADA) offers these suggestions:
Ask family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers for their
recommendations.
Ask your family doctor or local pharmacist.
If you're moving, your current ... |
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What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and in water.
How does fluoride prevent tooth decay?
Every day, minerals are added to and lost from a tooth’s enamel layer
through two processes known as de-mineralizatio... |
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What new methods are under development to treat and prevent tooth decay?
Several new treatments are under development. One experimental technique
uses fluorescent light to detect the development of cavities long before they
can be detected by traditiona... |
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Bad breath (halitosis) can result from poor oral hygiene
habits and may be a sign of other oral health problems. Bad breath can also be made
worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
How does what you eat affect breat... |
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Any injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious. Ignoring a dental
problem can lead to delays in treatment, which can increase the risk of
permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment
down the road.
... |
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Women have an increased sensitivity to oral health problems because of the
unique hormonal changes they experience. These hormonal changes not only affect
the blood supply to the gum tissue, but also the body’s response to the toxins
(poisons) that re... |
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Lasers have been used in dentistry since 1995 to treat a number of dental
problems. But, despite FDA approval, no laser system has received the American
Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which assures dentists that the
product or device meets A... |
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Latex, also known as rubber or natural latex, is derived from the milky sap
of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. Latex can be found in many
household products and also in many medical and dental supplies including
gloves, masks, and syringes.
Late... |
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Will I experience sensitivity around the filling following the procedure?
Tooth sensitivity following placement of a filling is fairly common. A tooth
may be sensitive to pressure, air, sweet foods, or temperature. Usually, the
sensitivity resolves on i... |
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Piercing the tongue, lip, or cheek — Is this an innocent teenage fad of fashion and
self expression or a prelude to oral health problems? Before piercing this area
of your anatomy, it is wise to have a complete understanding of the
health-related risk... |
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Mouthguards are coverings that are inserted and worn over the teeth to help
prevent damage. They are often prescribed to protect the teeth from
injury during sports and teeth grinding.
There are three types of mouthguards:
Stock mouth prote... |
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Is there a link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease?
Various researchers and government agencies continue to investigate the
possible relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease.
Some researchers speculate that... |
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Many different types of oral health care providers could become involved in
the care of your teeth, gums, and mouth. A brief description of these various
health care providers is as follows:
General dentist -- Is your primary care dental provider. T... |
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Diabetes is a disease that can affect the whole body — your eyes, nerves,
kidneys, heart, and other important systems in the body. It can also affect your mouth. People
with diabetes face a higher than normal risk of oral health problems.
Why are people... |
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A number of conditions may require oral surgery, including:
Impacted teeth
Wisdom teeth, otherwise known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to
develop. Sometimes these teeth emerge from the gum line and the jaw is large
enough to allow room... |
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Pericoronitis is a dental disorder in which the gum tissue around the molar
teeth becomes swollen and infected. This disorder usually involves the wisdom
teeth, the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late
teens or early twenti... |
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Plaque is the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms on teeth. It
makes teeth feel "fuzzy" to the tongue and is most noticeable when
teeth are not brushed.
What causes plaque and why is it harmful?
Plaque develops when foods that con... |
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Endocarditis is a rare, life-threatening bacterial inflammation of the lining
of the heart muscle and its valves. Although endocarditis can occur in anyone,
it is more common in people who have heart valve disease, have had heart valve
replacement s... |
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Recontouring or reshaping of the teeth (also called odontoplasty,
enameloplasty, stripping, or slenderizing) is a procedure in which small amounts
of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth’s length, shape, or surface.
For what circumstances is r... |
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Sealants are a thin, plastic coating that are painted on the chewing surfaces
of teeth -- usually the back teeth (the premolars and molars) -- to prevent
tooth decay. The painted-on liquid sealant quickly bonds into the depressions
and grooves of the ... |
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Why does my dentist prescribe medication for certain treatments?
Your dentist may prescribe medications to fight certain oral diseases or to
prevent infections after surgical procedures such as tooth extractions and gum
surgery. Sometimes certain drugs ... |
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Tooth whitening is a procedure to lighten teeth and remove stains and
discolorations.
How do teeth become stained?
There are many reasons why teeth become discolored. Among them are:
the consumption of stain-causing beverages (colas, teas, coffees,... |
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(Part 1 of a 2-part series)
By age 45, the average conscientious teeth brusher has spent more than 1,900
hours trying to keep the ivories clean, shiny and white. That’s approximately
8 minutes per day brushing and flossing—or pretending to—since age... |
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(Part 2 of a 2-part series)
Over-the-counter teeth-whitening products seem ubiquitous these days and
there always seems to be a new one. In part 1 of this series, we focused on some
of the fundamentals of tooth color so that readers considering whit... |
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What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is an area of tooth destroyed by acids. These acids result as
the bacteria that normally live in the mouth come in contact with the foods we
eat. The acids damage the protective, top layer of the tooth (known as enamel).... |
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To treat a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth
and then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decayed material once
lived.
Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have
been worn... |
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Treatment for dry mouth depends on what is causing the problem. Generally,
treatment of a dry mouth focuses on three areas:
Managing underlying medical conditions causing the dry mouth
Preventing tooth decay
Increasing the flow of sal... |
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There are two main types of dental X-rays: intraoral (meaning the X-ray film
is inside the mouth) and extraoral (meaning the X-ray film is outside the
mouth).
Intraoral X-rays are the most common type of X-ray taken. You’ve
probably had many set... |
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To prevent cavities and maintain good oral health, your diet – what you eat
and how often you eat – is an important factor. Changes in your mouth start the
minute you eat certain foods. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars from the
foods you eat to ac... |
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Good oral health involves more than just brushing. To keep your teeth and
mouth healthy for a lifetime of use, there are steps that you should follow.
Here's what you need to consider:
1. Understand your own oral health needs.
Talk with your dentis... |
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