5 Dental Procedures to Improve Your Oral (and overall) Health

Dental Procedures to Improve Your Oral Health

It’s picture time, and you hear the photographer yell, “Smile!” Oh no, you think, not this again. Do you feel shy about showing your teeth? You may want to consider investing in a few dental procedures to improve your oral health. There’s another reason why you should keep your teeth clean: gum disease is linked to several health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Here are five dental procedures that will clean your teeth and improve your overall health:

Dental implants or root canals. Have you got a gap in your smile? You can benefit from dental implants, a procedure that replaces a missing tooth with an artificial one. A metal implant is anchored into the jawbone and capped with a crown. This secure base is long-lasting and will look just like a natural tooth. You’ll be able to eat and talk just as you did before. For teeth that are damaged, you can have a root canal to prevent a total loss of the tooth. It will eliminate bacteria and protect you from gum disease. Like with a dental implant, a crown is capped over the remaining tooth after the root canal is complete.

Teeth whitening. Universally, a white smile is seen as an indication of good health. Even though cosmetically whitening your teeth won’t improve their strength or your physical well-being, it will ease your anxiety when you smile. White teeth are a radiant and eye-catching look that will never be out of style. Some products like at-home whitening treatments can achieve results, but they risk damaging the tissues of your gums and increasing the sensitivity of your teeth. It’s better to visit the dental office for a whitening procedure, so you don’t harm your soon-to-be pearly whites. How often should you whiten your teeth? It depends on which method you choose. Whitening products that use abrasives to remove stains should not be used too frequently – otherwise, you may wear away the enamel and reveal the tissue beneath it called dentin. It has a yellow-brown color, which means that using abrasives too often will actually make your teeth less white. With bleach treatments, the answer is a little different. Only bleach your teeth every 14 days to avoid damaging the enamel.

Invisalign or braces. Straightening your teeth can fix a few dental issues: an overbite, crowded teeth, or a misaligned jaw. Braces aren’t just for kids; many adults get braces to improve their smiles. If you want to straighten your teeth more subtly, you can consider Invisalign, a clear retainer that’s fitted to your teeth. Treatment time for these two options varies depending on your teeth, but the average time is one to two years. It’s a long-term investment that will pay off in the end by rewarding you with perfectly straight teeth. When your teeth are properly aligned, they’ll be easier to clean, so you will have less trouble brushing and flossing them thoroughly. To find out if you’re eligible for Invisalign, or if you’re better-suited for braces, contact your dentist or an orthodontist.

Fillings. Get rid of that nagging toothache! A filling can save a tooth before a cavity develops further. Where a cavity erodes the tooth, a filling takes its place. Some fillings are made of metal, while others use glass and plastic so that they’re difficult to discern from natural teeth. A filling blocks bacteria from entering the tooth, which protects it from erosion. First, the area will be numbed and then the dentist will use a drill to remove decayed tooth material until the cavity is completely cleaned. Once the area is sanitary, the  dentist will adhere the filling to the tooth. The dentist will ask the patient to try biting down and make sure that the filling fits, and shape the material as needed. Getting a filling will prevent a cavity from destroying a tooth, which can result in a crack, extraction, or even an infection.

Teeth cleaning. By having your teeth cleaned twice a year, your oral health will stay in top shape. This procedure is substantially more thorough than brushing and flossing. First, a dentist will examine your mouth to spot any potential problems; catching issues early will prevent the loss of teeth or periodontal (gum) disease. A scaler will be used to scrape away any plaque that has hardened into tartar. Then, your teeth will be polished and flossed. At the end of the appointment, a fluoride treatment will be applied using a mouthpiece; this will help prevent cavities and strengthen the teeth. Dental hygiene is imperative to maintaining good overall health. It will only take 30-60 minutes, so it’s a fairly quick way to improve the appearance of your teeth and reduce your risk of health problems.

Oral health and overall health are closely linked. To stay healthy and strong, you have to do more than care for your body and mind – you also have to consider the state of your mouth, too.