Woman Dealing With Tooth Pain

How to Help Tooth Pain

Struggling with tooth pain? Discover common causes and effective relief methods, from dental treatments to home remedies, in our latest blog.

Dental Crowns 101

Dental Crowns 101

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.

Sleepapnea

Sleep apnea? Today’s Dental helps you rest easy.

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. 

Dental devices can help.

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. 

The right device for you.

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.  

  • Mandibular repositioning device – one of the most common types of devices, it moves the lower jaw forward and down slightly to keep your airway open.
  • Tongue retaining device – just like the name says, it holds you tongue in place while you sleep so it doesn’t block your airway.

Work with people you trust. 

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. 

5 Common Cavity Myths Bp

5 Common Myths About Cavities

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.

1. Sugar is the Only Cause of Cavities

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.

2. Cavities in Children’s Baby Teeth Are Nothing to Worry About

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.

3. You Always Know When You Have a Cavity

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.

4. Cavity Fillings Only Come in Silver

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:

  • Amalgam
  • Composite
  • Metals
  • Ceramic
  • Glass Ionomer

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.

5. Cavity Fillings Need to be Regularly Replaced

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.

Best Practices to Avoid Cavities

No one wants cavities, but they are a fact of life for most people. You can, however, take steps to minimize them.

  • Watch your diet and reduce your intake of sweets.
  • Practice good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth and floss daily.
  • Get regular dental checkups. This will allow your dentist to treat any cavities before they can do serious harm.

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!

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