Care for dentures

DENTURES

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals. Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position.

           
A denture improves chewing ability and speech, and provides support for facial muscles. It will greatly enhance the facial appearance and smile.

What happens when you get a denture?

New denture wearers need time to get accustomed to their new "teeth" because even the best fitting dentures will feel awkward at first.To get accustomed to chewing with a new denture, start with soft, easy-to-chew foods and chew on both sides otherwise denture will lift on one side. In addition, denture wearers often notice a slight change in facial appearance, increased salivary flow, or minor speech difficulty.

How do you care for a denture?

Remove and brush the denture daily, using either a denture cleanser or toothpastes. Never use abrasives toothpastes, because they may scratch the surface of the denture. Don't sterilize your denture with boiling water because it will cause it to become warped. 

If you wear a partial denture be sure to remove it before brushing your natural teeth. When not in use, soak it in a cleanser solution or in water. Get in the habit of keeping the denture in the same safe and handy place to reduce the likelihood of misplacement.

Should a denture be worn at night?

Remove the denture during night & soak it in water and this allows the gum tissue to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. This promotes better long-term health of the gums. If you don't clean your dentures or remove your denture at night time it may lead to candid infections. Proper maintanence of denture is mandatory.

CANDIDAL INFECTION 

Continue seeing your dentist regularly

As of aging, your mouth will continue to change as the bone under your denture shrinks or recedes. Ulcerations are possible after you start using the dentures so visit your dentist to do the adjustments to your denture. Never attempt to adjust a denture yourself. When in doubt, consult your dentist.

ULCERATIONS

Life span of a denture is around 6 years, if it's not broken also you have to change the denture because the denture fit will change and denture tooth will wear off.

Alternatives to dentures

Dentures are no longer the only way to restore a mouth that has little or no non-restorable teeth. Implants, can now be used to support permanently cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost tends to be greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the "feel" of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative of choice to dentures. Call your dentist for advice.

IMPLANT SUPPORTED DENTURES

Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center has specialists with proven expertise in Prosthodontic dentistry. .For more information regarding treatments contact us today.

                                             

                       Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

                                            No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,

                                            Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,

                                            Chennai - 600 097,

                                            Phone :- 9786688755,044-49504825

                                                     Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com

Care for your braces and teeth

BRACES - ORAL HYGIENE

Want straight teeth? Braces are one of the most popular ways to go. This orthodontic appliance is usually placed in patients ages 12 to 15 to correct crooked or overcrowded teeth.

“The benefits of braces are many - Straight teeth, an attractive smile, improved dental function and, often, improved overall health are all results of wearing braces.”

To stay comfortable and healthy while wearing braces.

Good oral hygiene with braces are important

Food and plaque can get trapped in the tiny spaces between braces and wires, causing decay and enamel stains. Food can also react with the bacteria in your mouth and the metal in the braces to produce a bleaching effect, which can cause small, permanent light spots on the teeth.

Teeth and braces to be cleaned

INTERDENTAL BRUSH

You should brush after every meal with orthodontic brush and use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss at least once a day to clean between braces and under wires. Check your teeth in a mirror to make sure all food particles are gone. If you don't have your toothbrush with you, rinse your mouth vigorously with water.

ORTHODONTIC BRUSH

ORTHODONTIC FLOSS

WATER FLOSSER

Braces feel like

The wires that are used to move teeth into position are usually tightened at each visit to the dentist or orthodontist. This causes pressure on the teeth and some discomfort. Eating soft foods and taking a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, can help. Also, braces can rub against the inside of the lips. If this is a problem, wax can be placed on the wires to keep them from chafing.

WAX PLACED ON WIRE THAT CAUSES PROBLEM

Braces have to be worn

It depends on how complicated the spacing or occlusion (bite) problem is. Most braces are worn for 18 to 30 months. After the braces are removed, the patient wears a retainer, which is used to maintain the position of the teeth while setting and aligning the tissues that surround the newly-straightened teeth.

FIXED RETAINER

Foods to be avoided

Yes. Sweets, soda and other sugary and starchy foods can promote tooth decay and gum disease. Sticky and chewy foods (caramel, taffy, chewing gum, dried fruits) can stick to braces and be difficult to remove. Biting and chewing hard foods, such as some candies and nuts, ice, beef jerky and popcorn, can break wires and loosen brackets. Avoid damaging wires on the front teeth by cutting carrots, apples and other crunchy, healthy foods into bite-sized chunks before eating them.

AVOID STICKY AND CHEWY FOODS

AVOID CANDIES POPCORN & NUTS

CONCLUSION:

Good oral hygiene is essential in all cases of orthodontic treatment,and the use of adjuncts such as orthodontic brushes, interdental brushes, orthodontic flossers and mouthwashes and regular professional cleaning must be emphasised.

Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center has specialists with proven expertise in Orthodontic dentistry. .For more information regarding treatments contact us today.

                                             

                       Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

                                            No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,

                                            Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,

                                            Chennai - 600 097,

                                            Phone :- 9786688755,044-49504825

                                                     Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com

Erosion of teeth

ACID EROSION

Sugar isn’t the only culprit when it comes to tooth decay. High levels of acid in everyday foods and drinks can be just as harmful. From oranges to wine, high-acid foods and drinks can wear away your teeth, causing decay, sensitivity and discoloring. But that doesn’t mean you have to strike all acidic foods and drinks from your diet. The way you consume these items can lessen their damage on your teeth.

EROSION LEADS TO DECAY

Tooth erosion:

When the enamel, or protective surface of your teeth, wears away, it exposes the underlying material, called dentin. This leaves your tooth vulnerable to plaque and bacteria, which cause decay.

Causes:

Calcium is a key ingredient in building strong teeth. Unfortunately, exposing your teeth to acid can leach calcium from your enamel, causing this protective surface to break down. Acid can come from many sources, including the following:

·         Carbonated drinks. All soft drinks, contain high levels of acid that can easily dissolve your enamel.

·         Wine. Whether you choose red, white or rose, drinking 
     wine will soften your enamel.

·         Fruit juice. The most acidic options include lemon, cranberry, orange and apple.

CITRUS FRUITS

CANDIES

·         
           Citric fruits. Snacking on oranges, lemons and limes can wear down your teeth.

·         Candy. No sugary sweets are good for your teeth, but you should pay extra attention to avoid sour gummies and candies.

·         Sugar. Even though sugar itself does not contain high levels of acidity, it promotes the growth of acid-creating bacteria in your mouth, creating an acidic environment.

·         Stomach acid. Vomiting and reflux also can cause serious tooth damage when stomach acid comes into contact with your teeth. If you suffer from an eating disorder, acid reflux or a related condition, seek professional help.

Signs:

Acid wear may lead to serious dental problems. It is important to notice the signs of tooth erosion in its early stages (sensitivity and discoloration) before more severe damage occur, such as cracks, pain and decay.

·         Sensitivity. As your teeth’s protective enamel wears away, you may feel a twinge of pain when you consume hot, cold or sweet food and drink. As more enamel is worn away, teeth become increasingly sensitive.

·         Discoloration. Teeth can become increasingly yellow as the thinning enamel layer exposes the underlying dentin.

·         Rounded teeth. Your teeth may have a rounded or “sand-blasted” look.

·         Transparency. Your front teeth may appear slightly translucent near the edges.

·         Cracks. Small cracks and roughness may appear at the edges of teeth.

·         Cupping. Small dents may appear on the chewing surface of the teeth, and fillings may appear to be rising up out of the tooth.

Prevention:

Follow these tips to reduce the effects of acid on your teeth.

·         Eat with meals. Instead of snacking throughout the day, save acidic foods for mealtimes. This will reduce their contact with your teeth and help neutralize the acid by eating it with other foods.

·         Wash down with water. Sip water alongside or after the acidic food or drink to wash it out of your mouth.

·         Use a straw. If you must drink acidic beverages, reduce their contact with your teeth by using a straw and finishing the drink quickly, instead of sipping over a long period of time.

·         Say no to bubbles. Swap out carbonated drinks with water, milk 
     or tea.

·         Wait before brushing. Acid softens your enamel, so brushing immediately after eating or drinking high-acid foods or drinks can actually cause damage. Wait at least half an hour and then start brushing. In the meantime, you can always rinse your mouth with tap water.

c   CONCLUSION:

                           Dental erosion is a multifactorial condition. To prevent further progression, it is important to detect this condition as early as possible and detect the main etiologic factor of tooth wear in order to initiate adequate preventive and therapeutic measures.

For more information regarding treatments contact us today.

                                             

                       Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

                                            No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,

                                            Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,

                                            Chennai - 600 097,

                                            Phone :- 9786688755,044-49504825

                                                     Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com

JAW PROBLEMS

       TEMPOROMANDIBULAR  DISORDERS

The jaw joints and groups of muscles let us chew, swallow, speak and yawn. When there's a problem with how the joints and muscles work, you may have a temporomandibular disorder or TMD.     

The symptoms of TMDs are: 

1) Tender or sore jaw muscles. Your jaw may be even more painful when you wake up, clench your teeth, chew your food or yawn.

SORE JAW MUSCLES

2) Problems opening or closing your mouth. It may be hard to open or close your jaws all the way, or your jaws may lock open or closed.

LOCK JAW

3) Headaches that you cannot explain. You may also feel pain in your neck. These may be caused by TMD, or by other problems. Tell your dentist/your doctor.

HEADACHES

4)A clicking or grinding noise when you chew or yawn. You may hear strange noises in your jaw joints, such as clicking or popping when you open your mouth, or crunching and grinding sounds when you chew.

POPPING JAW

The cause of TMD is not always clear, but in most cases stress is a major factor. Here are some of the things that may cause it.

1)Clenching and grinding your teeth. Clenching your jaw muscles can cause them to ache. Some people grind their teeth or clench their jaw muscles when they are under stress.

TEETH GRINDING

  2)Injury to your face or jaws. Broken (or fractured) jaws, a jaw joint that has been knocked out of place (or dislocated) may cause TMD.

DISLOCATED JAW

FRACTURED JAW

3)If your jaw does not grow the right way, your teeth may not line up the way they should. This can make it hard to bite and chew, and may lead to TMD.

4)Some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may affect the jaw joints and muscles.

Other things that may lead to TMD are

PARTIAL DENTURES

- worn, loose, or missing teeth.

- gum problems.

- partial or full dentures that are not the right fit.

GUM DISEASE

- habits such as biting on your pen or pencil.

WORN TEETH

What you can do:

1) Relax. Be aware of when you are clenching your teeth. Try to relax your jaw muscles and keep them relaxed. 

2)Watch what you eat. Stay away from hard or sticky foods. Do not chew gum. Try not to open your mouth too wide, even when you yawn (support your lower jaw when you yawn).

3)Massage and exercise. Rub (or massage) and stretch (or exercise) your jaw muscles. This may help ease stress. 

4)Remember the saying, "Lips together ... teeth apart." Try to keep your upper and lower teeth apart, except when you are eating or swallowing.

How your dentist can help

To judge your condition, your dentist will do a detailed exam, and may take x-rays.

OPG

Depending on what your dentist finds, he or she may suggest a plan to treat your TMD.

Treatment may include:

 1)  Correcting problems with your teeth. If you have a bad bite, braces or other dental work may be used to correct the problem. Teeth that are causing the problem can sometimes be reshaped to fit together better.

BRACES

 2) If any impacted tooth are present, those teeth will be removed.
 3) If you have any missing tooth, replacement should be done.  
4)  Taking medicine. Depending on the cause of your TMD, medicine for pain, inflammation, tense muscles or depression may help.

5)  Wearing a night guard or bite plate (also called an occlusal splint). An occlusal splint is made of clear plastic. It fits over the biting surface of the teeth of one jaw so that you bite against the splint rather than your teeth. This helps your jaw joints and muscles to relax. Depending on your TMD, your dentist may tell you to wear a splint 24 hours a day, only at night, or for some length of time in between.

OCCLUSAL SPLINT

6)  Having surgery. If none of the other treatments have worked, or if it is very hard to open your jaw, you may need surgery.






For more information regarding treatments contact us today.

                                             

        Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

                                 No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,

                                 Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,

                                 Chennai - 600 097,

                                 Phone :- 9786688755,044-49504825

                                          Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com