Having a healthy smile is an essential part of both your physical health and self confidence. By making regular visits to the dentist , you will ensure that your teeth are healthy and in good shape. In the event that you experience the signs of a cavity, you should be sure to visit an office offering family dental near Schaumburg. Your dentist can help alleviate your tooth pain, and can also provide additional support to prevent gum disease and other oral health issues. If you are preparing for a trip to the dentist, here is a guide to the basics that every patient should know about cavities.

Signs and Symptoms

There are several signs and symptoms that may indicate that you have a cavity. The symptoms of a cavity can vary depending on the severity of the issue, as well as the location of the cavity in the mouth. Some of the most common signs of a cavity include pain in one or more teeth, tooth sensitivity, or pain during eating and drinking.

Causes

Cavities form when a tooth begins to decay. The primary cause of cavity is due to a substance called plaque. When plaque forms around your teeth, the bacteria that are present in plaque will begin to eat away at the enamel of your teeth. Over time, this process can create cavities, which are holes. Plaque can build up due to poor oral hygiene practices, or can be a natural occurrence due to the structure of your teeth.

Treatment

There are several techniques that dentists can use to treat cavities. If a cavity is very minor, it may be able to remove the damage using a fluoride rinse. More severe cavities may require that your dentist perform a filling procedure. During the filling, your dentist will remove the damaged area of your tooth and fill the area with a new material. Very serious cavities can also be treated with other procedures, such as crowns or root canals.

If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, swollen gums, and a fever, you may have an abscessed tooth. A dental abscess is a severe infection that can result from poor oral care, trauma, or gum disease. If you think you have an abscessed tooth, it is important to see a dentist, as you might need to undergo a root canal in Schaumburg .

A dental abscess is an infection inside the tooth that has spread to the root. This can develop when tooth decay becomes so severe that it reaches the inner pulp. A throbbing and continuous toothache is the most common sign of an abscess. The pain may subside if the pulp dies from the infection, but this does not mean that the infection has healed or that the tooth does not need treatment from a dentist. More serious symptoms of an abscess include fever, foul breath, and a bad taste. You may also experience swelling of the jaw. In some cases, you may see an open sore on the side of the gum near the infected tooth.

For most dental patients, having straight teeth requires getting braces. What if you could have the results of braces in less time with less pain? If you are looking into braces in Schaumburg, talk to your orthodontist about Fastbraces ™. Read on for answers to the most common questions about Fastbraces™.

Why Are Fastbraces™ a Good Alternative to Conventional Braces?

Traditional braces typically move teeth in a two-step process that can cause unnecessary discomfort and additional wear time. Fastbraces™ combines these two steps into a process that results in much less pain and quicker completion times. Fastbraces™ are also available to a wider variety of patients than traditional braces.

How Do Fastbraces™ Work?

Fastbraces™ work by replacing traditional square brackets with triangular ones. This allows for more space between braces and, thus, more leverage to redirect the root of each tooth. When the root of a tooth is properly aligned, the rest of the tooth will follow. Ultimately, this added space allows for the quicker realignment of teeth and a decreased wear-time for the patient. This means that patients can enjoy a beautiful smile and decreased risk of periodontal disease as soon as possible.

Are There Additional or Different Risks Involved?

There are no extra risks involved with the use of Fastbraces™. Wearing braces can be quite trying, and sometimes uncomfortable for patients. However, Fastbraces™ offer patients an easier and more enjoyable experience than traditional braces.

What Are My Fastbraces™ Options?

Fastbraces™ come in three different options, and most care providers offer all three types of Fastbraces™ systems. Fastbraces™ Metal has a more traditional appearance while still offering the quality of Fastbraces™ technology. Fastbraces™ Clear provides a more attractive bracket system with tooth-colored wires. Fastbraces™ Retainers are available for patients that need minimal dental work and also work as follow-up treatments for both of the other systems. Thanks to the significant advancements of Fastbraces™ technology, patients may only be required to wear Fastbraces™ Retainers for 15 to 20 minutes a day, per their dentist’s instructions.

Many people find that they eventually need to have their wisdom teeth removed. Wisdom tooth extraction is a minor surgery, but it can still be intensive. If you have undergone wisdom teeth removal in Schaumburg , you may want to consider taking time off to heal. The following tips will help to ensure a speedy and healthy recovery after your wisdom teeth removal.

Take Extra Care and Be Gentle

The holes left by the wisdom teeth will be sore, so you will want to consume only liquids and soft foods, such as broth and Jell-O. As your healing progresses, you will be able to eat regular foods with caution. It is important to avoid agitating the healing areas with your tongue, fingers, or hard foods. You may experience swelling in the cheeks and jaw area, which can be alleviated with a cold compress. You can begin to apply low heat one or two days after surgery. Be sure to consume plenty of water and other fluids to stay hydrated.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

Your dentist may give you gauze pads after surgery to help soak up any blood. It is a good idea to periodically change the gauze to keep the area clean. After 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water a few times each day to relieve pain and swelling. You can also resume gently brushing your teeth. For a few days following surgery, it is important to rinse food out of the sockets with warm water after meals.

Take Some Precautions

After having your wisdom teeth removed, it is very important that you do not smoke for at least 72 hours. Smoking can bring bacteria and other contaminants to the wound. Avoid sucking on straws or ice, as this can loosen the protective blood clots from the sockets, delay healing, and possibly cause a condition called dry socket. Physical activity can increase swelling and pain, so it is advised to rest for at least 24 hours following your procedure. If you notice any complications, such as persistent pain or bleeding, be sure to contact your dentist.

Tooth pain can be quite distracting and even disruptive during your daily life. It is important that you visit a dentist that offers family dental care in Schaumburg if you notice any persistent pain or discomfort, as it can be a sign of a more significant problem. Your dentist will help you develop oral care practices to prevent future tooth pain. Watch this video to see what might be the source of your tooth pain.

Grinding your teeth during sleep or when stressed can cause pain. The grinding wears down enamel and makes teeth sensitive. It is important to brush and floss daily to clean away plaque and prevent tooth decay; if decay reaches the nerve, it can become very painful. Most tooth pain can be reasonably prevented with a regular oral care routine and dental checkups.

Have you found yourself wishing that you could improve your smile? If so, it’s time to consider seeing an orthodontist near Schaumburg . Many people put off orthodontic treatment thinking that they don’t have time to wear braces or potentially feel self-conscious about their appearance. Now, with Fastbraces™ technology, you can get the smile you’ve always wanted in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional braces. Traditional metal braces are usually worn for at least two years to move the teeth into better positions, but with Fastbraces™, that time is cut down to just one year. Triangular brackets are used to exert gentle yet effective forces on the teeth, moving them faster than traditional square brackets. Fastbraces™ may be suitable for teenagers and adults alike, depending on what the orthodontist recommends. This new technology moves the crown and the root of the tooth at the same time without posing a risk to you and your smile. If you’ve been lamenting the appearance of your crooked teeth, it’s time to see what Fastbraces™ can do for you.

Everyone wants to have a beautiful, healthy smile that they can show off. With a good at-home oral care routine plus regular visits to an office that offers family dental care in Schaumburg , you’ll be on your way to having a great smile. Some people choose to visit the dentist only when they’re experiencing tooth pain or other issues, rather than on a routine basis. However, preventative dental care is important because it can help detect minor dental issues before they become major problems. Read on to learn more about the importance of preventative dental care.

Risk Assessment

When you visit your dentist, you’ll receive a thorough cleaning as well as a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health status. Your dentist will examine your teeth as well as your diet and lifestyle habits to provide you with a picture of whether you’re at risk for cavities. The dentist will also evaluate your risk factors for gum disease , taking into account your current dental health, age, habits, and gum health. As you begin to get a picture of how at risk you are for oral issues, you and your dentist can come up with a plan to help minimize these risks going forward. This might mean changing your diet or adjusting a few of your habits, or it could simply mean committing to regular visits to the dentist’s office.

Early Prevention

There are a number of dental issues that can grow worse over time without treatment, including gum disease, decay, and teeth grinding. During your dental appointment, you’ll receive x-rays and possibly other imaging tests that will reveal any issues that can’t be seen with the naked eye. If your dentist does spot a small cavity, you’ll be able to have it taken care of now instead of waiting for it to get worse. Issues such as cavities that are allowed to progress untreated can become serious, potentially even leading to the need for a procedure such as a root canal. Instead of gambling with your oral health, visit your dentist on a regular basis for preventative care.

It can be overwhelming to walk down the toothpaste aisle in a grocery store or pharmacy. With so many choices of toothpaste available, you might not know which one to choose. Brushing your teeth is essential for good dental health and preventing gum disease in Schaumburg . Take a look at this video to learn more about toothpaste and how to determine which one is right for you.

The most important ingredient to look for in a toothpaste is fluoride. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel, protecting you against decay. Toothpastes come in a wide variety of flavors, so chances are you’ll be able to find one that you like whether it has a mint or fruit taste. People with sensitive teeth may want to choose a toothpaste specifically designed for this condition to help block the hot and cold sensations that can lead to discomfort. Your dentist can provide you with a recommendation if you are still unsure of which toothpaste to choose. A good rule of thumb is to look for the seal of approval from the American Dental Association, as products with this seal have undergone rigorous testing to make sure that they do what they claim to do.