How To Pick A Good Dentist

general dentistry, health

It is very important for people to understand that dentists are different; what is excellent for you may not be nice for someone else. Thus, when you are selecting the best doctor for the procedure, it is essential for you to bear in mind that your gum and teeth complete your smile.

picking-a-dentistIt is common knowledge that a person’s overall character is largely affected by the smile. Therefore, you need to be very careful when picking a dentist in Olympia WA. Below are some guidelines you can use.

  • Experience.

The first thing you ought to do before going for any dental treatment is to be sure your torrance dentist has credentials and know-how. Check up all the information and records of past patients and confirm on client satisfaction. A doctor who has been around for several years is suitable to handle most of the dental procedures with ease since they have dealt with them. Check, whether they are certified by the relevant authorities, especially the registered professional body.

  • Cost.

In some cases, the procedure you may want to undertake could be quite expensive and you cannot afford the same. However, you should not compromise on your dental well being. Therefore, you ought to search for someone to perform the procedure effectively and affordably. If you have an insurance cover, confirm with them if they can accept your payment plan. Remember, not all of them will go for your mode of payment.

  • The appointment schedule.

Dentists are busy people and if you’re going to be checked by some of the popular ones, you may be placed in a long waiting list, which may make your condition to deteriorate. Therefore, find a dentist that will be in a position to attend to you in timely manner. This is vital to make sure your dental health is okay.

  • Modern technology.

Nowadays, there are new and better equipments, which have been created in order to make teeth removal easier and pain free. Thus, you need to check out, whether your preferred dentist has them. Ask for photos from other patients to check there before and after pictures to understand what your final outlook shall be.

  • Be familiar with your needs.

This is very essential too since there are some dentists who do not work during the week and others on the weekends. Therefore, it is important for you to book an appointment with someone who will meet you at the arranged time.

  • Select a specialist.

In the field of dentistry, there are numerous kinds of experts such as endodontist, periodontist and the general category; hence you need to choose the one that will treat your condition.

  • Do your homework.

This is very important if your dental health is going to be take care of in a proper way. Do a lot of research on the several dentists you will come across so that you pick the right person to attend to your needs.

If you choose to use the Internet, make sure the website is easy to go through in getting the vital details about their location, services offered, terms and conditions, and also their mode of payments.

What Is Orthodontics?

orthodontics

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that corrects improperly positioned teeth. It also involves correcting various aspects of facial and jaw deformations. The person who specializes in this field is known as an orthodontist.

It further includes cosmetic dentistry concerned with correcting or improving one’s personal appearance.

teeth-orthodonticsTeeth that do not close tightly together pose the risk of not being able to keep clean with greater risk of being lost through tooth decay and periodontal disease.

It may also cause a strain on chewing muscles leading to headaches and other strains. These deformed teeth can altogether change one’s physical look.

When to know you need the services of an orthodontist

You cannot really tell whether you need orthodontist services as this mainly determined by the orthodontist or dentist themselves after performing a series diagnosis including x-rays, dental health medical history and plaster models to ascertain whether orthodontics services are suggested. From there they can come up with treatment plan right for you.

However, the following may indicate whether one requires the services of an orthodontist.

  • Overbite where upper front teeth lie outside the lower teeth creating an overlap.
  • Under bite-where the lower teeth sticks out or protrudes outwards than the upper teeth.
  • Open bite-space is left between biting surface when the rear teeth bite together
  • When you have a cross bite
  • When you have misplaced midline where the middle of upper and lower teeth does not line up.
  • Gaps and spacing between the teeth due to missing teeth or teeth that don’t fill up the mouth.
  • When there are more teeth than the dental ridge can hold.

Tools used by an orthodontist

An orthodontist employs variety of devices to correct these defects; the tools used are both fixed and removable and include:

  • Fixed space maintainer- A space where a tooth was lost earlier is maintained until a new tooth comes out. It’s done by attaching a band on the tooth next to the space left empty and extending it to the tooth on the adjacent side of the space.
  • By using braces composed of band, brackets and wires. This moves teeth to their correct position by adjusting monthly.
  • By the use of aligners which work in the same way as braces only that they don’t have brackets and metallic wires.

Other tools used include jaw repositioning appliances, removable space maintainers, lip and cheek bumpers, palatial expanders, headgear, removable retainers

All these devices serve to narrow the gap between teeth, arrange in a line tip of the teeth, straightening curved teeth, correcting an improper bite and to counter long term damaged and strained teeth.

Commencement of orthodontic treatment

It usually starts when the child is about 12 or 13 years old; this is when the adult teeth have developed. There are instances when treatment may commence later if the complication had not been noticed earlier. However, children with cleft lip palate may start treatment long before their adult teeth develop fully.

Good oral hygiene is usually encouraged before the commencement of orthodontic works. Patients who don’t practice good oral hygiene standards are likely to suffer from tooth decay even after being put on treatment.

They should therefore brush regularly to prevent decay as some food particles may stick on the devices used.

Teeth Whitening At The Dentist

cosmetic dentistry, health

When one realizes that his/her teeth are discolored, he/she will not afford a smile.   White as well as bright teeth put lots of emphasis on beauty as well as healthy living.

Many people will do lots of things out there just to achieve white and bright teeth. Well, it is not an easy task. It requires a lot. One has to see a dentist first for checkups and best advice possible.

It is also important to avoid things that will lead to teeth discoloration such as cola, smoking, some wines and coffee among others. If one has to take these drinks, it is advisable that they consider using a straw to sip the drink directly into their throat.

Be happy that in the recent past, dentists have come up with lots of teeth whitening solutions that are quite convenient.

Do not just go for teeth whitening because a friend is going for it. It is only meant for individuals with yellow, brown, orange as well as grey teeth among others. It is worth mentioning that grey stains that are as a result of hereditary might not respond to teeth whitening.

There are also situations that may not just give one a chance for dentist teeth whitening such as sensitive teeth, worn enamel as well as periodontal disease among others.

Teeth whitening system has carbamide as well as hydrogen peroxide as the main ingredient. The teeth lighten when the peroxide come into contact with the surface of them.

The whitening process will be effective depending on how it is applied and for how long. It is worth mentioning that one of the best teeth whitening is opting for custom-made ingredients that are prepared by your dentists.

Although it is discouraged, many people out there still opt for over the counter teeth whitening solutions such as whitening gels, whitening strips, tray based whiteners among others.

After opting for dentist teeth whitening, it is advisable that one avoids a lot of chewing hence go for soft foods. For instance, consider soups, gelatins, mashed potatoes, yogurt and puddings are the best for this case.

Moreover, these soft foods will only be eaten after a short while before embarking into a normal diet. But, when one is back to normal diet, the food should be chewed slowly to avoid interfering with the gum.

In conclusion, dentist teeth whitening is the best way to regain your smile back. As the saying goes, ‘if you cannot smile, give them one of yours’. Smiling enhances ones beauty and health.

The only way to achieve a healthier and a comfortable smile is through having bright and strong teeth. Do not hesitate, seek help from your dentist and achieve the best teeth ever.

What Is Dentistry?

general dentistry

It is defined as the branch of medicine concerned with the study, analysis, prevention and treatment of infection, injuries and defects of the oral cavity, oral mucosa and adjoining and connected structures and tissues mainly in the jaws and face area.

The field of dentistry is mainly misunderstood by the majority of people to be linked to teeth but also involves study of constitution, growth and tooth abnormalities.

In the recent a lot of weight has been put in understanding and upholding good oral health. This is because one’s life quality is to a greater extent influenced by their oral health as witnessed by deprived and special care patients.

An excellent oral care and access to it is absolutely related to higher quality of life. Dentistry is therefore important for everyone’s general health.

History of Dentistry

It dates back to the account of human race and evolution with some evidence dating back to 700BC. Some of the ancient dental surgical procedure witnessed in ancient Egypt where a mandible dated back to nearly 2650 BCE shows two perforations just beneath first molars root showing a draining of a painful tooth.

Other evidences trace to the early Harappa periods of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is believed to be the first specialty of medicine.

Dental Treatment

The treatment is mainly done to avert or treat two main oral diseases mainly dental carries and gum diseases also known as pyorrhoea.

The treatment usually involves reinstatement of teeth, taking away or removal through surgery of the affected teeth. It also involves to scaling and root plan and endodontic root canal cure.

Studying for Dentistry

One requires studying dentistry for the least period of three years in the undergraduate program and completes a bachelor’s degree. This is then followed by four year in a dental school so as to qualify as dental surgery doctor.

This requirement however varies from one country to the other. They are also required to undertake additional qualifications or studies so as to carry out more advanced treatments such as dental inserts, sedation and oral surgery.

By the nature of dentist’s profession, they can out dental management such as fillings, treating of the root canal and extraction of the affected teeth. Moreover, they also prescribe medications such as antibiotic and other drugs to control patient’s condition.

The main emphasis however is to encourage proper teeth hygiene through regular checkups, at least twice yearly for specialized cleaning and assessment to prevent oral diseases.

Licensing and Practicing as a Dentist

For one to practice as a dentist, he/she has to qualify and be registered by the dentistry board. Anyone who practices before acquiring such a license is liable for prosecution for illegal practice.

Profession Within Dentistry

There are quite a number of specialists within dentistry. These include;

  • Endodontic – Study of dental pulp diseases
  • Dental public health – Study of health policies pertinent to oral health
  • Period ontology – Study and control of non-surgical and surgical as well as placement and maintenance of dental implants.
  • Pediatric dentistry – Study of children dentistry.
  • Prosthodontics – Reinstatement of implants.
  • Orthodontics – The study of straightening of teeth
  • Oral medicine

This is however not limited to the above list only. It is also worth noting that dentistry has evolved over the years from the ancient days of scholars like Hippocrates and Aristotle to the modern day dentistry profession, which involves a lot of study and experience for one to qualify.

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