Author: MileStoneFamilyD_ADmEEN

The teeth might develop defects due to long periods of use, abnormal use, improper care, accidents, etc. These defects decrease the aesthetic value of your teeth, make it difficult for your teeth to carry out their normal functions, and can even damage your dental health. Defects can come in discoloration, crack, chip, or decay. You must address these problems as soon as possible to avoid hazards to your dental health and restore your teeth’ appearance and function.

Dental bonding is a dental procedure that involves the application of tooth-colored composite resin or other dental filling materials to the surface of the teeth to repair or restore the teeth structure. Cosmetic teeth bonding is an effective procedure that is affordable compared to other cosmetic dental procedures and one you can complete in a single visit to a dentist in Daphne.

At Milestone Family Dentistry, we can beautify your teeth by restoring the natural structure of your teeth through tooth bonding. The procedure also restores the teeth’ function and efficiently helps them carry out their duties.

What Dental Defects Can Tooth Bonding Fix?

Tooth bonding is cost-effective as it can fix many dental defects in just a single procedure. The following are the dental defects that dentists can fix through dental bonding near you:

• Dental bonding can repair cracked or chipped teeth.
• You can get tooth bonding for gaps between the teeth; it can fill large spaces between the teeth.
• It can make the teeth appear longer and change the shape of crooked teeth.
• It can improve the appearance of discolored teeth.
• It can replace amalgam fillings in protecting exposed tooth roots.
• It can repair decayed teeth and fill cavities.

Dental Bonding Procedure

Composite teeth bonding does not require a lot of preparation. This procedure does not usually need anesthesia except a decayed tooth is being repaired, and there is no permanent alteration to the natural tooth structure before the process. Before starting the procedure, a dentist in 36526 will select a shade of composite resin that matches the color of your natural teeth with the aid of a shade guide. After selecting the suitable shade of resin, the surface of the tooth to be bonded is roughened and lightly coated with a conditioning liquid.

The roughening and conditioning of the tooth are necessary to aid the easy sticking of the bonding material to the tooth surface. After dentists prepare the tooth, the putty-like, tooth-colored resin material is applied to the tooth surface, molded, and smoothed until it takes the desired shape. Next, your dentist in Daphne will use a laser or ultraviolet light to harden the resin. The finishing touches are other additional shapings, trimming, and polishing of the bonded material to match your natural teeth color. A tooth bonding procedure is straightforward and fast as it only takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete.

A dental bonding procedure alters your teeth by restoring their natural structure, thereby beautifying them and restoring their ability to carry out their functions. To avoid chips, cracks and make your bonded teeth last long, you must take good care of them as you would do to your natural teeth.

Caring For Bonded Teeth

Bonded teeth can chip or crack; otherwise, they would not require any special care to make them last longer. The following are tips that can help to make your dental bonding last longer:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.
• Avoid foods that can stain your teeth for at least 48 hours after bonding your teeth.
• Avoid hard food and candy.
• Avoid biting your nails.
• Contact your dentist if you notice your bonding falling off.

It is hard to go unnoticed when you have a bright smile. You are happier, and people feel more comfortable approaching you when you wear a smile. Sometimes, a smile can do more than words can do.

As crucial as smiles can be, some people do not have the kind of smile that they desire. One of the reasons why a person can be reluctant to smile is tooth discoloration.

Some people are born with colored teeth, but most teeth discoloration comes from the food, drinks, and drugs we take into the mouth. Cigarettes, coffee, and junk are some of the causes of tooth discoloration. Luckily, there is a solution for people who want to change the color of their teeth.

Teeth whitening is a standard dental procedure wherein bleaching chemicals are applied to teeth to lighten their shade. You can get it done by visiting a dentist in Daphne. Visiting a pharmacy to buy over-the-counter products for teeth whitening has its ills. Most of them do not get the job done well enough. Worse still, they can damage your teeth and gums. For better understanding, here are some reasons why professional teeth whitening should only be performed at a dentist’s office.

1. It helps improve your general appearance: It is no doubt that our smile affects our general appearance. A bright smile has been proven to boost confidence and make us more attractive. It might come as a surprise, but white teeth are associated with friendliness and intelligence. If you want to get the kind of teeth that give you all these attributes, your best bet is to visit a dentist near you.
2. Teeth whitening makes you more confident: One of the reasons why people whiten their teeth is to boost their self-confidence. It is usual for people who have colored teeth to feel shy in social gatherings. Their shyness can sometimes be the result of their teeth’ color. If you want to get effective teeth whitening treatment, you should visit a dentist’s office. Having whiter teeth can also give you the confidence to make an excellent first impression when you are out on a date or for an interview.
3. It makes you look younger than your age: Take a minute to think about people, celebrities, and acquaintances that you know who look younger than their age. One thing that is common with these people is that they have beautiful smiles. If you genuinely desire sparkling teeth, you should visit your dentist, not your pharmacist. It is also natural for your teeth to lose their color as you grow older. You can restore the whiteness of your teeth by getting teeth whitening treatment from your dentist.
4. It offers quick results: Over-the-counter drugs take time and do not deliver the desired result. Everyone wants immediate results, and you can get professional teeth whitening within an hour. On the other hand, over-the-counter teeth whitening kits require a consistent application for several days, and the result is never as satisfying as professional whitening.
5. It prevents gum irritation and tooth sensitivity:It is essential to visit a dentist to get teeth whitening near you. The dentist will examine your dental history and decide what method will be best for your teeth. Home treatment for teeth whitening has several disadvantages. The whitening agent can spill on the gum and cause severe irritation. The irritation is only one of the multiple effects of using commercial teeth whitening products. Teeth sensitivity is another effect. Your teeth will begin to react to the slightest contact with cold or hot substances.

The best way to whiten teeth is to visit a dentist. You will get your desired teeth and professional care. With professional teeth, you can slay any group picture and beautify your teeth when you finally get rid of braces. Milestone Family Dentistry provides excellent and professional teeth whitening services. Our dentists are the best at what they and they attend to patients with care and friendliness. Contact us today to book an appointment.

Having plump and full lips is considered a sign of good health and beauty. Thanks to lip filler treatment, if you were born with thin lips, you could change that now. However, before you opt for one, you should have a complete picture of how filler treatments work.

Having the perfect pout is really easy these days, and when done by an experienced esthetician, they tend to balance out and add volume to your lips. So, before you search for ‘lip injections near me’ on Google, let’s take a quick look at the benefits you can get.

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1. Increase Hydration of Your Lips

Ever had the problem of chapped lips before? Well, chances are, after the lip injection treatment, you won’t have it anymore. The most common lip filler is made out of hyaluronic acid. It is a natural sugar found in the human body, and it attracts water molecules more naturally. This helps in making your lips more hydrated, and they look healthier and fuller. In case you are wondering, your dentist in Daphne AL will evaluate your lips and suggest the correct type of filler for you.

2. Slows Down Aging

No one loves a lip line or wrinkles around their lips. One of the advantages of lip filler treatment is that it helps to restore hyaluronic acid. With time, the natural hyaluronic acid production decreases, and the collagen we have around our lips (responsible for keeping us young) also reduces. This is where lip filler treatments can help. The results are immediate, and it gives your lips a fuller look and helps in natural collagen production.

3. Reduces Lip Lines

This is directly related to lip filler injection. Any dentist in 36526 will help you to make your lips fuller. That means it will fill out the lip lines providing a youthful and rejuvenating look. What’s more, it really doesn’t matter who does your filler, your dentist or the esthetician – you’ll have the best lips possible without any pain.

4. Remove Asymmetries

We are all born with some asymmetries that we’d love to remove if given a chance. And now you can really remove them. If you’re not happy about something, the first step is to change it. Lip filler treatments help you to analyze where the asymmetries lie and help you to remove them easily.

If needed, you can use the filler treatment to remove asymmetries in the following areas

• Cupid’s bow
• Vermillion border
• Perioral lines
• Marionette lines
• The fleshy part of lips (both upper and lower)

5. Achieve Facial Harmony

Lip filler is not only for lips. There might be other reasons why someone would prefer to use that. While some people want to fill their thin lips, others might ensure better facial harmony after using fillers. Certain lip filler treatments add volume to lips and increase the upper lip to lower lip ratio. This, in turn, helps to reduce ‘gummy smile’ and makes your smile look more pleasant and natural.

One more benefit of the dermal filler is that they are temporary. Unlike lip augmentation techniques, lip fillers use a natural ingredient and are dispersed naturally. After 6-8 months, they might spread naturally, and the ingredients are absorbed in the body. This also means that you can vary the number of fillers you use at each treatment depending on your preference. Speak to your dentist and your dermatologist about what you want to achieve, and they will be able to guide you.

Final Words

When it comes to dermal or lip fillers, they are 100% safe and have a safety record that goes back decades. Compared to cosmetic surgery, fillers have been painless and effortless on the patient’s part. What’s more, you can drive after having a filler treatment without any extra help, and your natural lifestyle is not hampered. Since these filters are rapid to adapt to your body and are comparatively easier to administer, as a patient, you don’t have any downtime, nor do you need any antibiotics or medicines.

At Milestone Family Dentistry, we believe in restoring your beautiful smile without pain. This is why our cosmetic services help you to choose the look you would want. Contact us now for a consultation and let us help you get back your beatific smile.

If you have worn dentures and partials before, you already know the pain they can cause, especially in the early stages. The reason is that the gums are usually still in shock from the extraction there before. At this moment, it’s crucial to watch what you eat because excessive chewing of tougher foods can increase pressure on the delicate gum tissue, causing denture pain.

In most cases, denture pain is associated with fresh, red tissues and mouth yeast infections. It can also be a result of the improper fitting of denture implants or snap-on dentures. Here is all you need to know about denture pain, the causes and signs of trouble, and ways to overcome it.

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Denture Types

• Partial Dentures

Partial dentures for front teeth are the route you take when you do not have strong enough teeth to support bridgework or only several missing teeth. Unlike permanent dentures, partial dentures are held in place by lining up against the existing teeth. They are made from a mould taken from the existing teeth. They do not have any fit issues, but they can happen.

• Immediate Dentures

They are designed to be worn as you heal from a tooth extraction or other invasive procedures. You can wear them for months, depending on the healing period. Thus, you may wear them for a great deal of time before you get complete dentures. The issue with this type is that gums tend to shrink and move as healing progresses. Over time, they need realignment.

• Complete Dentures

They are won after the mouth completely heals. It can take weeks or even months for the healing process to be complete. Complete dentures are made from a mould, and just like immediates, they are held in place to the gums by suction. Maintenance here is crucial. So, they can develop some fit issues due to the conditions discussed below.

Identifying the Problem

The signs and symptoms of denture pains are relatively straightforward as the condition has some specific symptoms.

Some of the more apparent symptoms of denture pain include:

• Isolated red areas on the skin below the denture
• White yeast patches on the underside denture skin
• Raw, red tissue
• Gums appearing to grow over the denture

Possible Causes

• Bacteria

When you fail to clean and maintain your dentures properly, bacteria can build up on the underside of the dentures, causing yeast formation. The yeast infection can cause the development of painful sores. Unlike natural teeth, where bacteria only build up in the form of plaque, people with dentures and partials are at a greater risk of having severe yeast infection on all areas the denture covers.

• Fit

As earlier mentioned, the gum changes as your mouth heals. Thus, dentures can get misaligned as they struggle to fit. They rub on the top and bottom of the mouth resulting in raw skin on both surfaces.

Poorly fitted dentures rubbing on gums can cause bone resorption, a condition that causes extreme pain when chewing.

• Adjustment Period

If you are getting false teeth for the first time, your teeth are not used to it. So, you can experience mild pain in the first few months. With time, you get used to the new teeth, and the denture pain disappears. If it doesn’t go away, you can consult your dentist to check If the teeth need minor adjustments.

Overcoming Denture Pain

• Proper Maintenance

Dentures must be strictly maintained and cared for. You need to remove them and clean them every night. Some dentists recommend soaking them overnight in a cleaning solution to loosen up bacteria. Do not use hot water to avoid warping the devices. Also, brush them every morning and don’t use standard toothpaste and whitening solution as they can damage them.

• Proper Oral Hygiene

Bacteria is your worst enemy, so you should keep your gums clean. We advise brushing our gums after cleaning your dentures to remove any food particles trapped underneath. Although the gums may feel sore from the suction effect of complete dentures, you can massage them using warm water and a washcloth or non-alcoholic mouthwash.

• Re-Lining

In extreme cases, you will get the re-lining procedure at our Milestone Family Dentistry office for a better fit. It involves using a mould on the gum line to stick the denture in place. It lasts for two years then a replacement is needed. A hard re-line is a similar process and uses a harder substance and is more permanent.

• Adjustment

It occurs in our dental office and can be done by your dentist. Since your mouth can change over time, the dentures get ground down in areas where you experience rubbing and soreness.

As human beings, it is common to pick up certain behaviors that become a great part of our everyday life. The behaviors can be both good and bad and we routinely perform them either consciously or unconsciously. When it comes to oral care, any repetitive behavior that involves your mouth does have an effect on your oral health. Therefore, if you constantly engage in harmful habits, your oral health will be negatively affected. So, as a preventive dental care action, it is good to know some of the harmful habits and how they affect the health of your mouth.

Common Bad Oral Habits

Your oral health is greatly influenced by your lifestyle and daily activities. This could be anything from how you care for your teeth, what you eat to how you choose to use your teeth. As a proactive approach preventive dentistry requires patients to be well informed on dental care, and thus they can avoid some of the following harmful habits.

Teeth Clenching and Grinding

Unfortunately, most people that grind or clench their teeth are hardly aware they are doing it. The condition is triggered by stress and anxiety and tends to happen during sleep. Other causes for teeth clenching and grinding could be sleep apnea or a bite problem. It is medically referred to as bruxism and if left to persist can damage your teeth and cause other complications such as TMD and TMJ disorders. If you suspect that you grind teeth, consult your dentist and you will be given a mouthguard to protect the teeth. The underlying cause will also be established and necessary action taken to help you break the habit.

Using Teeth as Tools

Your teeth might be strong but this does not give you permission to go ahead and abuse them. If you have a habit of using your teeth to open bottles or tear objects, then you risk damaging them. Your teeth could break, fracture or loosen up. Learn to use your teeth for the intended purpose if you want to maintain a healthy and attractive smile.

Thumb-Sucking

This habit is common among infants and toddlers that use it to soothe themselves. It however may continue even after the child grows older and persist into the teenage and adult years. This could interfere with the development and alignment of both primary and permanent teeth causing problems such as an open bite and overbite. Prolonged thumb sucking can also affect the jaw and the shape and roof of your mouth.

Failure to Brush and Floss Correctly

Good oral hygiene is the first step in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. It helps in the prevention of dental caries and gum disease that are the leading causes of tooth loss. Therefore, if you are not brushing and flossing your teeth correctly, you are jeopardizing your oral health. Through your regular dental check-ups, your dentist will demonstrate the correct brushing and flossing technique. This ensures that you effectively clean your teeth and also that you do not injure or harm yourself in the process.

Smoking

Smoking and use of Tobacco products is not just harmful to your lungs but also impacts your oral health. It leads to severe discoloration and bad breath among its users. Heavy smokers also tend to develop low bone density in the jaw and be at an increased risk for gum disease and oral cancer. Quitting smoking can do a lot of good to both your oral and overall health.

Consuming Too Much Sugary and Acidic Foods

Sugary foods promote the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth that leads to tooth decay. Consider cutting back on your consumption of sugary foods an drinks or eliminating them completely from your diet. Instead replace them with nutritious foods that promote good oral health like those rich in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin C.

Just like with sugar, when you consume too much of acidic foods, you risk damaging the tooth enamel. If you must eat these foods, make sure to follow up by properly brushing and flossing your teeth. Also make a conscious effort to eat healthy, to keep your mouth and overall body health.

To discover healthy dental habits or get dental preventive care services, visit Milestone Family Dentistry for a consultation.

Usually, a dental exam comes before a dental cleaning. After a good professional dental cleaning, the right step to take is to practice good dental care. However, some people fail to do this thereby making the previous dental cleaning ineffective and not long-lasting. It can be said that some people are not aware of these tips and instructions on how to maintain their dental cleaning. The good news is you’ll learn more and be informed about these dental tips after reading this article.

Dental exams are an in-office procedure that involves routine check-ups and examinations that are performed inside the mouth to check for disease or infections that can be detrimental to dental health.

Dental cleanings, on the other hand, takes place after a dental exam has been performed. It also involves an in-office professional dental cleaning that is performed by the dentist to clean out plaques and decays in the teeth. Dental exams and cleanings are very beneficial and are a form of preventive dental care (preventive dentistry) to help prevent dental problems in the future that could be caused by bad oral hygiene and the accumulation of bacteria and germs in the teeth.

What Kind Of Services Are Provided During Dental Exams?

During Dental exams, dentists offer different kinds of services to the patient.

The Diagnosis Services

The diagnosis services involve the use of X-rays to check out for diseases that can not be seen during a visible dental check-up. While performing a dental checkup and carrying out diagnosis on the patient, the dentist performs series of screenings like:

• Oral Cancer Screenings: Signs and symptoms can begin from the dental area. Oral cancer can begin to show signs that appear in the cheeks, gums, lips, palate, mouth, sinuses, or throat. If not early detected, it could be deadly and unable to treat easily. This is why a dental exam is important. Dentists advise that an oral cancer screening is performed at least once yearly.
• Gingivitis Screenings: Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontitis (gum disease). If this is early detected, it could save the patient from an advanced stage of gum disease which can lead to tooth loss and other health issues.

What Happens During A Professional Dental Cleaning?

A professional dental cleaning can only be carried out by a dentist or dental hygienist who will perform deep cleaning inside the teeth.

This is also known as a means of preventive dentistry. It is a way of practicing good dental hygiene to prevent diseases and infections. While brushing our teeth, there is a high possibility that we often leave out some areas. This is simply because you might not be able to clean deep into your teeth by yourself unless with the help of a dentist who would perform a deep dental cleaning on your teeth and gums to avoid teeth decay and gum infections. During a professional dental cleaning, the dental hygienist provides services like:

• Fluoride treatment: this is the use of raw minerals to prevent caries and starters from accumulating inside the teeth. It is a disinfectant that fights against germs and strengthens the enamel (hard outer surface of the teeth). The dentist applies the fluoride which might be in form of a gel, varnish, or foam on the teeth. Patients are to avoid food and drink consumption for 30 minutes after fluoride has been applied. Once the teeth have fully absorbed the fluoride, the patient will be able to eat or drink.
• Professional Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening is a dental procedure that involves whitening the teeth to make them look whiter and brighter than they used to be. Patients who also have teeth discoloration can get a teeth whitening procedure from the dentist during professional dental cleaning.
• Removal Of Plaques And Tartar (Scaling): During a deep dental cleaning, plaques and tartars are removed from the teeth with small dental tools used by the dentist. The dentist touches every area of the teeth and makes sure that no single plaque is left.
• Smile makeovers: After a dental cleaning has been performed on a patient, the dentist can recommend dental appliances that can prevent cavities and decay from getting into the teeth. Most times, dental sealants are used for children while they are growing their permanent tooth, to prevent teeth infections and decay. However, adults can use dental sealants too. Though some adults already have tooth decays, the dentist can suggest other dental procedures that would be of help which are usually restorative dental procedures.

Professional Dental Cleaning Aftercare

After a deep dental cleaning, the patient also plays a role in making the treatment a successful one. There are maintenance tips that the patient needs to be informed about.

• After a dental cleaning, avoid eating or drinking something hot for the whole day since you’ve had a fluoride treatment.
• Avoid sticky foods like chips, pasta, and popcorn. You don’t want your teeth to stuck with food particles that are almost hard to clean off.
• Brush and floss your teeth daily.
• Avoid surgery foods and drinks.

Visit the dentist every 6 months for a dental checkup.

There have been a few debates on whether oral cancer screening is important. However, according to the reports released by Oral Cancer Foundation, it is necessary to get oral cancer, especially if you are at risk. OCF reports that about 53,000 adults get mouth cancer and approximately 9,000 people succumb to oral cancer every year. Furthermore, mouth cancer accounts for 30 percent of all cancer cases globally.

Oral cancer screening is not a diagnostic tool, but it helps to detect signs of cancer and increase the chances of surviving it. Here are four reasons why you may need to get screened regularly.

1. Oral Cancer Cases Are Increasing 

Mouth cancer cases have surged in the last couple of years, and it is affecting both the young and old. In the past, oral cancer was associated with tobacco chewing and smoking (though it is the primary reason), and it was believed that it affected only older people. However, with the current reports, the disease is affecting even young people.

The Human Papillomavirus is linked is a cause of the surge in mouth cancer cases—one in every three oral cancer cases is triggered by HPV.

Other factors that may influence mouth cancer include overconsumption of alcohol, gender, and genetics.

2. Getting Early Detection Increase Chances of Survival 

The Oral Cancer Foundation states that the problem with oral cancer is late detection. Mouth cancer does not cause any obvious symptoms in the early stages, and by the time you experience any discomfort, the disease is well advanced in stages. Some of the advanced oral cancer signs include pain when swallowing, loose teeth, and white and red patches in the mouth.

However, with oral cancer screening, the dentist can notice any abnormal growth and cells. You are also encouraged to self-examine your mouth and gums when brushing.

3. The Screening Procedure is Pain-free and Non-invasive 

The oral cancer screening process is easy, convenient, and does not cause pain. The process begins with a comprehensive dental assessment. Our dentist will begin the process by doing a medical and drug history to determine if you are at risk. A physical and visual exam will then be done to assess the gums and jaw.

The physical exam involves feeling the cheeks, jaws, and under the chin to check for unusual molasses and immobile tissues.

The visual exam, on the other hand, uses dental appliances such as light, a tongue depressor, and a mirror to examine the inner parts of the mouth. The exam aims to look for ulcerations, bumps, and white patches on the skin.

What Happens After the Oral Cancer Screening?

If the dentist notices any abnormal cell growth or lesions, the dentist will recommend further testing for proper oral cancer diagnosis. A biopsy is the common diagnostic test to check if the lesion is cancerous or not. The doctor will take a sample from the area for further testing.

Are There Limitations of Getting Oral Cancer Screening?

While oral cancer is an effective screening tool, it is not a hundred percent effective. The screening may not detect very small precancerous cells, and this will increase the chances of the cancer advancing.

Also, cancer screening has not been proven to lower the number of deaths caused by oral cancer.

Despite these limitations, getting oral cancer screening increases your chances of surviving it as treatment can be started on time.

Can Oral Cancer Be Prevented?

Yes, oral cancer is preventable, and here are few ways you can do that:

• Stop chewing and smoking tobacco. Tobacco affects not only your oral health but also overall wellness. Also, avoid second-hand smoke, as it has similar effects.
• Limit your consumption of alcohol
• It is advisable to use sunscreen when you are going under direct sunlight
• Eat nutritious foods that can support your health and also incorporate healthy habits into your lifestyle.
• Visit the dentist regularly for a checkup and deep cleaning

Schedule an Appointment 

Visit Milestone Family Dentistry for more information on oral cancer screening and what you can expect.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene is vital to preventing cavities and infections. What some people don’t understand is maintaining proper oral hygiene is much more than just brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Yes, the two can keep your mouth clean, but they are not always enough to prevent cavities and infections. There are some areas in our mouths that are hard to reach with our regular toothbrushes.

Bacteria take advantage of these areas, reacting with food particles, forming cavity-causing acids. But if you visit the dentist every six months, there is a good chance to live cavity-free. The dentist employs several dental procedures to prevent cavities and infection.

One of the most successful procedures for preventing cavities is called dental fluoride treatment. In this blog, we will discuss this procedure in detail. Hopefully, the information will help you make an informed decision.

What is Fluoride Treatment?

It is the direct application of fluoride on a patient’s teeth through the help of a dentist or oral hygienist. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has proved to be effective at preventing cavities and strengthening bone. Studies show that fluoride can prevent cavities by up to 25 percent.

Typically, fluoride is present in toothpaste, but the amount is not always enough, especially for individuals at a higher risk of cavities. Tap water in the US also contains fluoride. A fluoride treatment in a dental office is fast, safe, and quite affordable. The dentist applies the right amount of fluoride on your teeth, making sure you don’t experience any serious side effects such as fluorosis. We are here for you if you are looking for fluorosis treatment, though.

When Should I Consider Fluoride Treatment?

Typically, this treatment is often used for kids. This is because kids between six and twelve are at the highest risk of cavities. However, there are still millions of adults at a high risk of cavities. Your risk for cavities can be increased by the following factors:

• Dry mouth: dry mouth can be caused by medications. If you don’t have enough saliva in your mouth, you are at high risk of cavities.
• Persons struggling with gum disease could benefit greatly from this treatment.
• If you have a history of cavities, you are at high risk of dental decay, and you could benefit from this treatment.

Furthermore, the cost of treatment is quite low. What’s more, the cost is often fully covered by insurance, especially for kids until they are 18. Be sure to confirm with your insurance provider, though. If you don’t have cover, don’t panic because the treatment is one of the most affordable procedures in a dental clinic. It won’t cost you more than $50.

Benefits of Fluoride Treatment

There are many benefits surrounding this treatment, and anyone could benefit from it. They include:

Makes You Less Vulnerable to Decay

Fluoride has been tested and found effective for decreasing the susceptibility of a person to cavities. Studies show that it can reduce your risk by up to 25 percent.

Fluoride Attacks Bacteria

One way fluoride reduces your susceptibility to cavities is by attacking the cavity-causing bacteria. This slows their reaction and even reverses it whenever possible.

It Improves the Usage of Other Vital Minerals in Your Teeth 

Individuals who undergo this treatment have shown improved usage of other vital minerals such as phosphate and calcium. These minerals strengthen your enamel and repair it whenever necessary.

Improves Your General Health

When you have optimal oral health, there is a high chance your general health will improve too. You will not struggle to eat, you won’t be in any pain, and your mental health will be at its best state. One effective way of achieving optimal oral health is by preventing cavities through this treatment.

Reduces Your Need to Visit the Dentist

After receiving this treatment, you will be at a lower risk of developing cavities, toothaches, or gum disease. When you are not in any pain or risk, you will only need to visit the dentist once every six months for checkups and cleanings.

Milestone Family Dentistry

Talk to us if you require any dental service. We offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services of the highest quality. Our clinic is family-friendly, and we are always ready to help. Book an appointment now.

Dental health is a critical part of living a healthier and happier life. Maintaining oral hygiene helps keep your mouth clean and prevent oral problems such as bad breath and cavities. Despite technological advancements in dental hygiene, tooth decay has been a problem for many children and adults. If not properly treated, tooth decay can lead to serious oral health problems such as abscessed or failing teeth.

Tooth fillings help repair broken or damaged teeth improving their normal functioning and appearance. They help fill spaces where bacteria may enter, stopping the progression of tooth decay.

Types of Tooth Fillings

Depending on your preferences, various options are available for tooth fillings. Our dentist at Milestone Family Dentistry will assess your dental health and discuss the perfect tooth filling option for you:

• Amalgam fillings

These are made from a combination of metals, including silver, tin, and copper. Amalgam fillings are strong and sturdy and ideal for filling cavities in the back of the mouth where chewing takes place.

• Composite fillings

These feature a combination of strong plastic and glass particles created to match the color of your teeth. Composite fillings are perfect for small to mid-size replacements in areas of your mouth that need to withstand moderate chewing.

• Ceramic fillings

These are tooth-colored fillings usually made of porcelain. Ceramic tooth fillings are more resistant to staining and are aesthetically pleasing.

• Glass ionomer

This paste of acrylic and glass is used to form a tight seal between the damaged tooth and its surrounding environment. A glass ionomer filling acts as a sealant, enabling the tooth to remain protected.

What to Expect During a Tooth Filling?

Our professional in general dentistry will assess your dental as well as overall health. They will evaluate the affected area and may take x-rays if needed. Before filling the cavities, your dentist will numb the area to be treated, including your teeth, gums, and surrounding skin. This helps lessen discomfort during the filling process. Next, your dental practitioner will remove the decay and replace the decayed parts with a filling.
After the tooth filling process is complete, your mouth may remain numb for a few more hours. During this time, you should be mindful of what you eat and drink. Avoid chewing on the numbed areas. You should visit a dentist immediately you experience the following symptoms:

• Infection

Sometimes, a tooth filling may pull away from the attached tooth creating a small space. This may attract bacteria causing additional tooth decay.

• Damage

A tooth filling may crack, break or fall out. Biting down on something hard may cause damage to a filling. See a dentist immediately you notice damage to your tooth filling.

Importance of Dental Fillings

Despite maintaining oral hygiene practices, your teeth may still be exposed to tooth decay. This may be caused by various factors such as sugary drinks to the food you eat. Visiting a dentist will help detect early signs of infection and help avoid future costly procedures. You should get a tooth filling immediately you notice them or as soon as your dentist informs you about them.

• Maintain a healthy smile

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you while socializing. Decayed teeth may damage your smile and lower your confidence while interacting with others. Tooth fillings are made to resemble your natural teeth. They help maintain your smile and allow you to remain confident while talking each day.

• Prevent tooth decay

Tooth decay can lead to oral infections if left untreated. Tooth fillings are required to prevent the progression of tooth decay once it has developed. They help the tooth stay connected while restoring the bite function.

• Alleviate pain and discomfort

Cavities may cause sensitivity to extreme cold or hot foods and beverages. Composite fillings help protect the nerves where decay is present, reducing discomfort. They enable you to consume foods and beverages without worrying about suffering from tooth sensitivity.

• Prevent infections

Bacteria in the mouth may spread to the tooth’s pulp, causing infection. Infections may spread to other teeth and areas of the body, putting your health at risk. Tooth fillings help close off spaces where bacteria may invade, reducing your risk of infections.

• Improved teeth functionality

Cavities develop into tiny holes and openings and may make chewing difficult. Eating might be less painful if you consider getting a tooth filling for your decayed tooth.

An emergency is any medical condition requiring immediate attention and successful management. Dental emergencies are any issues that involve the patient’s teeth and their supporting tissues that require emergency dental care. Emergencies cannot always be prevented, but knowledge of the symptoms, signs, and treatment enables a person to manage them appropriately.
Emergency dentistry at Milestone Family Dentistry focuses on; reducing pain, saving natural teeth, and preserving them for as long as possible.

Common Oral Emergencies and How to Manage Them

1. Chipped, cracked, or fractured tooth
A chipped tooth that hurts is a dental emergency. Fractured or cracked teeth indicate damage to the inside and outside of the teeth. Call a dentist immediately for an emergency appointment so that your tooth can be saved, but before that, you can:

• Take the pieces, rinse and save them.
• Rinse out your mouth with warm water.
• Apply gauze to the injured area if there is bleeding to stop it.
• Use a cold compress for swelling and pain relief.

At the dentist’s office, the dentist will do everything to save your tooth.

• He/she will take an x-ray to diagnose the tooth properly.
• A Chipped tooth may be smoothed, and composite filling used to repair it.
• A root canal therapy will be performed if the tooth pulp is damaged.
• A crown may be needed for the damaged tooth.

2. Cellulitis

It is a bacterial infection leading to swelling and formation of dental abscess. It develops fast and requires urgent treatment. It has the following symptoms;

• The affected area has red, tight, and shiny skin
• Painful swelling
• Swallowing difficulty

The endodontist will drain the abscess in the tooth and perform the first part of a root canal.

3. Knocked-out tooth

Call a dentist immediately for a chance for the tooth to be preserved and reinserted.

• Avoid touching the root of the tooth so that it is not damaged.
• Rinse off the tooth without scrubbing or removing any attached tissue.
• If possible, place it back on its socket. Bite down gently to hold it in place.
• If it’s not possible, put it between your cheek and gum or a glass of warm milk.
• A cold, wet compress can be used for the bleeding.
• During treatment, your dentist may splint the tooth to adjacent teeth to stabilize it.

4. Soft-tissue injury
These are severe cuts or bites to the lip or tongue. In case of such an injury:

• Use water to gently clean the area.
• Apply a cold compress to stop the bleeding.
  At an emergency dental center, your dentist will;
• Stop the bleeding and help alleviate severe pain.
• Treat and suture cuts.

5. Bleeding or swelling
Bleeding may be caused by; trauma, a hematological abnormality, or post-operative complications. Swelling in the jaw, gums, lips, neck, or palate may be caused by trauma, inflammation, or infection. When you have an oral swelling:

• Use a piece of gauze to staunch the bleeding.
• Apply a cold compress to alleviate the swelling.

Your emergency dentist will examine the area thoroughly to determine the cause of swelling and bleeding and treat you accordingly.

6. Orthodontic emergencies

These are urgent issues concerning orthodontic appliances. They may be loose, ingested, or broken. When a patient has swallowed an orthodontic device, it might obstruct the airway and choke them, causing the patient to lose consciousness or choke to death. Lost crowns, fillings, broken braces are a dental emergency when they are ingested, causing pain or bleeding.
As a first-aid measure, give the patient five blows on the back and five abdominal thrusts to try and dislodge the device. If the patient is unconscious, the dentist will perform rescue breath and compressions to the chest.

7. Teeth, gum, or jaw pain

You may experience extreme pain when biting down, taking cold or hot foods and beverages.

• Sip ice water to reduce pain caused by hot foods and drinks
• Avoid cold foods and drinks

The dentist will examine you for cellulitis or pericoronitis, among other dental infections.

8. Toothaches

A toothache indicates an issue with the tooth and gums. Please do not ignore it since infections like cellulitis may be fatal.

• Rinse the mouth using warm water.
• Remove dislodged food using dental floss.
• Apply a cold compress on the cheek close to the area or to control swelling.

Steps To Reduce Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies cannot be wholly avoided, but their occurrence can be reduced with the following tips:

• Maintain good oral health.
• Attend regular dental checkups.
• Avoid chewing on anything that might break, crack or fracture your teeth.
• Use a mouth guard during sports activities.