Maybe you’re wondering, “Well, how bad can it be?” If you ever have the need to see a dentist, especially after a very painful toothache, you might find it challenging to see one right away. The Arizona Dental Association reports that the state has one dentist for every 2,250 people versus the national average of one for every 1,740, a difference of about 510 people per dentist. Many dentists are aware of this reality. They know they can’t treat everybody all the time, so they suggest a few things you should do.

Brush Twice a Day

Simple is always best, especially if you can do something as easy and affordable as brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Tucson AZ dentists and dentists from elsewhere are keen to explain that brushing two or even three times a day removes plaque, lessens the chance of having cavities, and helps prevent even serious health concerns like gum disease. Do brush, though, for at least three minutes because anything less won’t ensure your teeth, mouth, and gums will be really clean.

Kick the Tobacco Habit

You are definitely aware of any surgeon general’s warning: Cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health. If you need another reason why you ought to stop smoking, here is one. The tar and nicotine in cigarettes actually eat away at your gums aside from bleaching your teeth yellow. Not only does that create a good place for bacteria and plaque to flourish, but the cigarette’s chemicals can also create mouth sores that – knock on wood – can turn cancerous.

Do Floss with Finesse

It is important to floss properly by using about two inches of floss between your fingers, keeping it tight against your tooth, then using a new roll for each tooth you work on for hygienic purposes. Likewise, floss for about two minutes for optimum effect.

There are other things dentists like Dr. Brian Midei hope you’ll do such as clean your braces Tucson dentists provide, if any, and don’t take sweets often. Finally, it all boils down to listening to your dentist.

Gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. It usually begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that covers the teeth) cause inflammation to the gums. Examples of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. These are serious infections that should never be taken lightly. Below are some of the frequently asked questions that relate to gum disease.

Q: Is gum disease contagious?

A: Gum disease is an inflammatory reaction caused by bacteria and does not refer to the bacteria itself. Therefore, technically, it is not contagious. However, the bacteria that cause gum disease can spread through saliva. If you have gum disease, it would be a good idea not to share your eating utensils or oral equipment so that you won’t infect anybody else.

Q: How can I tell if I have gum disease?

A: Gum disease can remain dormant for a long time, and symptoms may not appear until the disease is at an advanced stage. However, there are signs you can look out for so that you can be alerted of the possibility. These include: 1) red, swollen, and tender gums; 2) bleeding while brushing or flossing; 3) constant and persistent sores; 4) pus; 5) loose or separating teeth; and 6) persistent bad breath. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with your Tucson dentist right away.

Q: Who should treat my gum disease, my periodontist or my general dentist?

A: Rather than having your one dentist treat your ailment, you should consider having both your dentists involved in your diagnosis and treatment. This team approach will make it possible for your general dentist (who is familiar with your dental history) and your periodontist (who has extensive knowledge regarding gum disease) to collaborate and create a treatment plan that’s best for your case.

Q: Is there a link between gum disease and heart disease?

A: The connection between gum disease and heart disease is a highly debated topic among Tucson dentists and other specialists in the world. Some researchers suspect that the inflammation may be the basis behind this connection. If you are at risk for heart disease, you should mention it to your periodontist prior to your treatment.

Diastema can be caused by a number of other factors as well. Other causes include genetics (such as an oversized labial frenum), bad habits (like thumb sucking), and gum disease (that includes periodontitis), among others. A person who has diastema can experience loose teeth and feel some discomfort or pain whenever he bites or chews. Children may have temporary diastema as their baby teeth fall out, but most of these spaces close as permanent teeth grow.

According to Tucson dentists and other specialists, there are multiple ways to treat diastema. The first involves orthodontic procedures to shift the position of the teeth using braces. This method often requires one to three years of treatment. However, advances in the field of dentistry have made it possible to fix diastema between three to six months.

The second way to treat diastema is through porcelain veneers. This method is ideal for patients who want to try other options aside from braces Tucson dentists like Dr. Brian Midei can provide. Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are glued to the tooth surface. Once the porcelain veneers have fused with the teeth, they will appear straight because gaps underneath have been covered.

If the gaps between the teeth are one millimeter or less, diastema can be fixed by widening the dimension of the teeth using crowns or bonding. However, if the gaps are the size of one tooth, extensive dental repair may be in order. This might include installing a bridge, dental implant, or a partial denture.

If an oversized labial frenum is the cause of diastema, the size can be reduced through a surgical procedure called frenectomy. It is possible for the gaps to close on its own if frenectomy is done at an early age, usually when the patient is between 11 to 15 years of age. If it’s conducted on an older child or an adult, the spaces may need to be closed with braces.

Diastema caused by gum disease should be first referred to a Tucson AZ dentist. Only when gum health is restored can orthodontic procedures be applied.

Invisalign are teeth aligners designed to straighten teeth, serving as an alternative to fixed braces. These are colorless oral devices that seem to be invisible. People won’t notice that you’re wearing corrective device. Thus, it was called Invisalign. Invisalign treatment works differently than common braces because this doesn’t involve any constricting metals that can injure the gums and the teeth. Instead, it consists of a series of trays called aligners that are custom-made for your teeth.

These aligners are changed every two weeks to gradually adjust the teeth. This equates to a shorter amount of treatment time in comparison with traditional braces. The average Invisalign treatment time spans a year, depending on your needs.

Invisalign can be removed even while treatment is ongoing so that clients can brush and floss their teeth – fixed braces cannot be removed, resulting in plaque buildup due to remaining food debris stuck in between the teeth and the metal. Invisalign treatments offered by Tucson AZ dentists can let you have that smile that can help transform your overall appearance.

Dentists in Tucson also help treat disorders like TMJ. It is characterized by acute or chronic pain that is experienced by the muscles used for chewing; this disorder is also a result of an inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, a joint that connects the mandible or lower jaw to the skull. Various causes of this disorder arise from problems with the muscles of the jaw or with the joint itself. Other possible causes may be bruxism, dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket of the jaw, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the same joint, and stress which causes facial and jaw muscles to tighten, resulting in clenching of the teeth.

Clients may experience symptoms like pain in the face and around the ear while speaking or chewing, jaws that get locked, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, tired feeling in the face, toothaches, headaches, neck aches, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears. You should visit a Tucson dentist if you are experiencing these symptoms for proper diagnosis. Dentists are our partners in achieving overall oral health, so it is important that we visit them regularly.

It has been reported that 80 percent of the adult population suffers some form of gum disease, ranging from mild gingivitis to full blown gum disease. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), periodontal disease is an infection of tissues that support the teeth. Gum disease attacks below the gum line, which causes teeth as well as its supporting tissues to break down. It is generally classified according to severity; the milder and reversible form is gingivitis, which can easily progress to periodontitis if left untreated.

Some people are more predisposed to gum disease than others. Smoking or chewing tobacco and having diabetes, crooked teeth, and defective fillings are said to be some factors that lead to gum disease. Common to all these is the need for good oral hygiene.

Preventative measure, such as flossing, is the key to avoiding gum disease. It is important to go to an Arizona dentist once signs of gum disease are detected. Symptoms can include bleeding or swollen gums, gums that pulled away from teeth, persistence of bad breath, and loose permanent teeth. Many Tucson dentists recommend getting screened for gum disease to address the situation before it gets worse.

Getting proper assessment of the severity of the problem will enlighten a patient on the possible treatments that are needed to address the problem. Obviously, mild periodontal problems such as gingivitis can be addressed with non-surgical options such as deep cleaning. More serious cases may entail more thorough treatment methods.

Treatment of more serious cases of gum disease can range from tooth removal and surgery. Before the problem turns serious, it is important to get screened regularly by a competent Tucson dentist so he can address it early. Take note that overlooking the concern can spell out dealing with potential heart disease and other more serious medical conditions later on, so it’s best not to delay treatment.

Cavities are formed by plaque. Plaque is a yellowish film that accumulates on your teeth and in the gum line. If left unattended plaque buildup can lead to a formation of acid that will cause your teeth to decay. Gum disease on the other hand is an infection triggered by bacteria under the gums. Gum disease is a very serious condition since it destroys the gums and bone.

Most oral diseases are preventable with proper oral care and regular visits to the dentist. Removing plaque can be accomplished by regularly brushing your teeth and flossing. Sometimes though these methods are not enough to prevent the buildup which is why most Tucson dentists recommend that you have an oral prophylaxis or teeth cleaning twice a year.

Some people however do not schedule or go to regular dental appointments.  They prefer to have their teeth cleaned as needed or once a year.  They do not realize that cleaning the teeth is an important part of oral health; and is a vital preventive measure. In the end, it can save you more because the dentist can see early on if there are problems that need immediate attention. Otherwise, it can lead to more serious issues that require more treatments and additional expense.

Skipping your regular teeth cleaning appointment can also lead to cavity buildup.  When this happens, you may experience persistent toothaches due to tooth decay which may later result to tooth extraction.  Oral prophylaxis or regular cleaning will not suffice for this condition.  Instead, your dentist may recommend a full mouth debridement which will take time and cost more.

Getting rid of the buildup on your own cannot be achieved by brushing and flossing alone. It is still best that you keep a regular appointment with your dentist for professional teeth cleaning.  A Tucson dentist can help you and give you adequate advice on the treatments you need.  He can provide affordable services like teeth cleaning, teeth whitening, root canal, braces, and dentures. It is no secret that spending money on oral health problems can be costly; so keep in mind that prevention is always better than cure.

In Tucson, Arizona, maintaining one’s teeth is important not just for cosmetic purposes but also for good oral health. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, oral health is often taken for granted. To make people become conscious of oral health care, Tucson AZ dentists are always available to help patients with oral problems like cavities and gum diseases.

Cavities are formed by plaque. Plaque is a yellowish film that accumulates on your teeth and in the gum line. If left unattended plaque buildup can lead to a formation of acid that will cause your teeth to decay. Gum disease on the other hand is an infection triggered by bacteria under the gums. Gum disease is a very serious condition since it destroys the gums and bone.

Most oral diseases are preventable with proper oral care and regular visits to the dentist. Removing plaque can be accomplished by regularly brushing your teeth and flossing. Sometimes though these methods are not enough to prevent the buildup which is why most Tucson dentists recommend that you have an oral prophylaxis or teeth cleaning twice a year.

Some people however do not schedule or go to regular dental appointments.  They prefer to have their teeth cleaned as needed or once a year.  They do not realize that cleaning the teeth is an important part of oral health; and is a vital preventive measure. In the end, it can save you more because the dentist can see early on if there are problems that need immediate attention. Otherwise, it can lead to more serious issues that require more treatments and additional expense.

Skipping your regular teeth cleaning appointment can also lead to cavity buildup.  When this happens, you may experience persistent toothaches due to tooth decay which may later result to tooth extraction.  Oral prophylaxis or regular cleaning will not suffice for this condition.  Instead, your dentist may recommend a full mouth debridement which will take time and cost more.

Getting rid of the buildup on your own cannot be achieved by brushing and flossing alone. It is still best that you keep a regular appointment with your dentist for professional teeth cleaning.  A Tucson dentist can help you and give you adequate advice on the treatments you need.  He can provide affordable services like teeth cleaning, teeth whitening, root canal, braces, and dentures. It is no secret that spending money on oral health problems can be costly; so keep in mind that prevention is always better than cure.