When it comes to partially or fully replacing -- or restoring -- damaged teeth, there are several procedures available. Having a dental crown is one of them, and this is what you should know about it.

Key takeaways:

• Crowns are custom-made, so they match the size and colour of your natural teeth.
• They are an excellent solution that will stay firmly attached to your jaw.
• They will complete your smile, and also help prevent infection in teeth affected by trauma.

Your dentist will decide if you’re a good candidate for crowns.
Read the full story here: https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/save-your-smile-with-dental-crowns/

Cosmetic treatments can fix damaged teeth, which can be essential as we get older. Over time, certain habits can affect the health of teeth, making it necessary to treat chipped, broken and decayed teeth.

Key takeaway:
• Bruxism can cause your enamel to break, which can later affect the strength of teeth -- leading to chips and breaks.
• Chewing hard foods can also wear down your teeth and cause them to chip.
• Eating unhealthy foods and poor oral hygiene can erode your enamel and cause tooth decay.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice a damaged tooth.
Read more here https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/smile-reveal-age/

The appearance of your tongue can sometimes be used to diagnose health problems, not just issues with your teeth and gums. This is why consulting with a dentist regularly is important.

Key takeaways:

• An extremely red tongue has been linked to vitamin B deficiency.
• White patches could hint at an oral infection.
• Healthy tongues are uniformly pink in colour.

"How healthy is your tongue? Find out during your next dental check-up!"
Check out this article for more details:
https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/what-your-tongue-can-tell-you-about-your-dental-health/

Your dentist can arrange a custom mouthguard to help protect your teeth when playing contact sports. A mouthguard also protects against teeth grinding, also known as bruxism.

Key takeaways:

• A mouthguard custom made to fit your teeth provides a higher level of protection than a store-bought mouthguard.
• Research indicates custom mouthguards may reduce the risk of concussions from playing contact sports.
• Custom-made mouthguards are more comfortable and natural feeling as they are made to fit your teeth and bite.

"The higher level of protection of custom mouthguards is due partly to the thickness of the mouthguard, as custom mouthguards are more than twice as thick as over-the-counter options, on average."

Read the full story here:
https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/why-is-a-custom-mouthguard-better-than-store-bought/

When replacing damaged or missing teeth a dentist will usually have three options available: dentures, dental implants or mini dental implants.

Dentures require special care and maintenance, and some people are not suitable candidates for dental implants for a number of reasons such as lack of jawbone density. This leaves mini implants, which have advantages and benefits including:

• Lack of bone density is not an issue
• Fitting and installing can be done quickly and easily
• More cost-effective than dentures

Mini dental implants are permanent fixtures and are a viable option for those who do not qualify for traditional implants or who do not wish to wear and take care of dentures.

Find out more at https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/when-are-mini-dental-implants-the-best-option/

A dentist will often use a temporary crown when waiting for a permanent version that can be affixed to your tooth. However, it is important to know how to care for this crown in order to avoid any unintentional damage during the interim.

Here are three takeaway points to remember:

• Try not to chew food with the crown.
• Avoid sticky and hard foods.
• If you suspect that the temporary crown has become loose, consult with your dentist.

"When flossing, avoid pulling the floss down when removing it from between your teeth."

Learn more about caring for your crown here:
https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/how-to-care-for-a-temporary-crown/

Mouthwashes, and particularly those that contain chlorhexidine, not only help keep teeth and gums clean and healthy -- but may also help reduce the transmission of coronavirus.

New research has shown that mouthwash can:

• Significantly reduce the amount of virus in saliva
• Reduce the risk of transmission
• Alleviate the effects of coronavirus

It is now common practice for a dentist to insist patients use mouthwash prior to a dental appointment in order to decrease the viral load in the mouth -- to minimise the risk of transmission from patient to dentist or close contacts.

Read more about the benefits of mouthwash at https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/could-mouthwash-reduce-transmission-of-covid-19/

When the enamel on your teeth erodes, it can cause tooth sensitivity and cavities can develop. In addition, teeth will appear discoloured once the protective outer layer of enamel disappears. It's really important to maintain tooth enamel because our bodies do not replace it once it has gone.

Key takeaways:

• Brush teeth gently with a soft bristled toothbrush in order to avoid damaging enamel and gums by aggressive brushing.
• Reduce your sugar intake because a high sugar diet increases the risk of enamel erosion; keep hydrated with water where possible.
• Brush twice a day and floss regularly to remove plaque and debris from your teeth.

See your dentist for regular check-ups and professional dental cleaning in order to keep your tooth enamel healthy for as long as possible. Remember, once your tooth enamel has gone, it's not going to be replaced.

Read the full article here:

https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/top-causes-of-enamel-erosion/

In addition to dentists and orthodontists, dental clinics employ other staff, like assistants and hygienists. Here’s some information on what each of them do.

Key takeaways:

• Dental assistants have a varied role that includes a mix of admin tasks, reception work, and room or equipment preparation.
• Assistants may also assist the dentist during some procedures.
• Hygienists work directly with patients in consultations, cleaning teeth, examining gums, plus taking X-rays and interpreting them.

Every team member plays an important role making sure dental treatments keep your teeth and gums in top condition.

Read the full story here: https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-dental-hygienist-and-dental-assistant/

Healthy gums play an important role in securing your teeth and protecting their sensitive roots. Gum disease is one of the main reasons for tooth loss in adults. Gum health is also linked with your general health.

Key takeaways:

•  People with gum disease are more likely to have a stroke or heart attack.
•  Gum disease is more difficult to treat if you have diabetes -- and the diabetes can be harder to control, too.
•  Poor gum health can also increase the risk of respiratory problems as oral bacteria may reach the respiratory tract or lungs.

Gum disease is reversible if caught early. See your dentist if you're are experiencing sore or inflamed gums.
"...whether it be chronic bad breath, bleeding gums, or a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away, follow up with your dentist to explore treatment options as soon as possible!"

More:
https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/how-does-your-periodontal-health-affect-the-rest-of-your-body/