Alzheimer’s Disease and Dental Health
Explore the link between oral health and Alzheimer’s in our latest article. Learn how dental care might influence Alzheimer’s risk and management.
Explore the link between oral health and Alzheimer’s in our latest article. Learn how dental care might influence Alzheimer’s risk and management.
Struggling with tooth pain? Discover common causes and effective relief methods, from dental treatments to home remedies, in our latest blog.
From baby teeth to wisdom teeth, explore the evolution, function, and unique facts of our 32 teeth. Unravel dental mysteries and embrace oral care.
Explore the importance of replacing lost teeth, not just for cosmetic reasons but for overall oral health. Learn about potential complications and effective treatments.
Discover the pros and cons of clear aligners vs traditional braces. Learn how they impact your smile, oral health, and lifestyle. Make an informed choice today!
Dive into the comprehensive guide on dental crowns, exploring their purpose, materials, and the transformative impact they can have on your oral health and aesthetics, all in one visit with the innovative CEREC technology.
Unravel the mystery of wisdom teeth, their purpose, and why they often need to be removed in this insightful article that takes you back to our ancient ancestors and their dietary needs.
Spot Oral Cancer Early: Understand signs, symptoms, and prevention strategies. Regular check-ups with your Omaha dentist can save lives.
Window rattler, snore-a-saurus rex, log sawer, freight train, he who sleeps alone – very often, the diagnosis of sleep apnea begins with complaints about snoring. While it can be one indication of a sleep issue, it’s not the only one. Excessive sleepiness during the day, morning headaches or sore throat/dryness, feeling foggy in your thinking, and irritability can also signal an issue. And if the snorer has episodes where breathing is interrupted or requires the sleeper to “catch his breath,” it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist about the possibility of sleep apnea.
At Today’s Dental, we’ve made sleep related breathing disorders part of our ongoing practice – especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In fact, our dentists and staff undergo additional specialty training to address these issues. Based on our screening, we may refer you to your physician for diagnosis and testing.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with OSA, your dentist is instrumental in treating your condition with oral appliance therapy. This is also a great option if you’re not able to tolerate a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) overnight.
For children experiencing obstructive sleep apnea, your dentist can fit an oral appliance. Over time, we’re also able to study and measure ongoing growth and changes that can improve the condition or identify other opportunities to alleviate the problem.
There are several types of devices that your Today’s Dental dentist may talk to you about depending on your specific needs. At first glance, they look like a mouthguard that you might wear to protect your teeth during sports. However, they’re equipped with special features to address the specific issues of your “obstruction” as part of your obstructive sleep apnea.
When it comes to successfully treating your obstructive sleep apnea, your relationship with your dentist works to your advantage. For starters, we have the state-of-the-art tools and expertise to create a precision fit oral appliance to wear while sleeping. What’s more, your twice yearly visits to your Today’s Dental dentist allow you to share your experiences and receive continuous care and advice that enables you to address concerns or symptoms you may be experiencing.
Today’s Dental is happy to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to improve your sleep, and your overall health through better rest. Learn more when you call Today’s Dental to schedule your appointment online (LINK) or call 402-333-1120.
Cavities are one of the most common dental ailments, something almost everyone suffers from at some point. Cavities are tooth decay, in which the enamel, the protective covering of your teeth, is damaged. Cavities can be painful and, if not promptly treated, result in more severe problems and even tooth loss. A cavity filling replaces the lost enamel, preventing infection and any further damage to the tooth. Unfortunately, for something so widespread, there are quite a few myths about cavities. Let’s look at 5 of the most common ideas about cavities that don’t stand up to scrutiny.
Foods and beverages high in sugar are a significant source of cavities. Dentists have long told patients to cut back on their consumption of soda, candy, and other sweets. However, sugary foods are far from the only cause of cavities. Any foods and beverages high in carbohydrates, including bread, pasta, crackers, and many types of chips, can contribute to cavities.
Excessive dryness in your mouth is another factor that can lead to cavities. Saliva contains bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate, which help restore tooth enamel and neutralize plaque acidity. Certain medications, such as decongestants and antihistamines, can cause a dry mouth, resulting in a lack of saliva production.
You may think you don’t have to be concerned about cavities in a child’s primary or baby teeth, as these teeth will fall out anyway. But, unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Cavities don’t only affect a particular tooth—they can also cause problems with jaw structure, growth, and occlusion. In addition, bacteria infections can affect underlying teeth and cause crookedness and misalignment. For this reason, it’s essential to treat all cavities, even those affecting baby teeth.
People often assume they know they have a cavity when they feel pain in a tooth. Unfortunately, by the time you feel pain, the cavity is most likely advanced and has caused a deep level of decay. It’s much better to spot cavities early on. What does a cavity look like? Cavity colors and sizes vary depending on the stage, so you won’t be able to see it yourself most times.
In the early stages, a cavity appears as a small white spot under the surface of the enamel. You can often treat early-stage cavities with fluoride and improved dental hygiene. A more advanced cavity will require a tooth filling. Therefore, it’s important to get regular dental checkups so that you can spot cavities as early as possible.
The most common type of dental filling used to be amalgam, which is popularly known as silver fillings. Amalgam is a mixture of elements. In addition to silver, they contain copper, zinc, tin, and mercury. Nowadays, however, technology has advanced, and dentists use various dental fillings of differing materials, strengths, and colors. The varieties include:
The type of fillings we use at Today’s Dental are determined by the location of the filling, visual aesthetics, and any financial or insurance restrictions.
Fillings today are designed to be long-lasting. As long as you’re not experiencing any problems and your dentist doesn’t notice any signs of wear or cracks, fillings can last extremely long. In fact, many fillings today will last for decades! However, you can prolong the longevity of your fillings by avoiding certain practices. Teeth grinding, for example, can cause damage to fillings over time. Likewise, new tooth decay, which can be accelerated by a poor diet or lack of dental hygiene, can influence how long fillings last.
No one wants cavities, but they are a fact of life for most people. You can, however, take steps to minimize them.
Today’s Dental offers quality dental care in several convenient Omaha locations. To learn more about the best dental hygiene practices or to schedule an appointment, contact us.
Want more dentistry facts? Check out our Dental Facts blog!