Month: October 2019

I think it’s high time! We all are in the 21st Century, yet go after such dental health beliefs that have no basis in Science. Well, in this article, I will be talking about those dental health myths that should have no room in the present era where things have advanced to a certain extent.

Removing wisdom teeth affects the brain
Wisdom teeth are the third and last molars present on each side of both jaws. They erupt between the age of 18-26 years. They appear much later than other teeth at an age where people are wiser, therefore, they are called wisdom teeth. However, removal of wisdom teeth does not have any effect on the brain, it’s a myth that you need to get over with.

The harsh you brush, the cleaner your teeth gets
Vigorous brushing won’t make your teeth cleaner but it definitely can cause abrasion. Abrasion is defined as a process that affects the hard tooth surface. It can lead to severe sensitivity. So, the brushing technique is what actually matters while brushing your toothpaste, not the strength.

You should not brush your teeth if your gums bleed
Bleeding gums is a sign of gum inflammation, which is technically known as gingivitis. It is caused due to the deposition of plaque in the gums surrounding the tooth. Brushing after dental scaling is recommended in gingivitis or else it might lead to periodontitis.

Flossing is not important if you brush twice a day
Regular flossing with brushing prevents the accumulation of plaque on your teeth. On the other side, Flossing removes food particles that gets stuck between the teeth and potentially lead to cavities.

Wearing braces is painful
Braces are placed on the top surface of the teeth using the material called Composite. This procedure is completely painless and does not require anesthesia unless there is a need for extraction.

Removing teeth from the upper jaw hampers your eyesight
This is one of the biggest dental myth people have been relying on. The nerves linked with the eyes are optic nerve, oculomotor nerve and abducent nerve whereas the ones related with the upper jaw are posterior superior alveolar nerve, the greater palatine nerve and nasopalatine nerve. Both of them do not owe a connection to each other.

Infants do not require oral care since they do not have teeth
An infant’s oral care is as important as that of an adult. Cleaning of an infant’s mouth with a wet piece of cloth is important, especially after breastfeeding. This is done to make sure that there is no residual milk left.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Diabetes has a major impact on people all over the world. The earlier the detection, the sooner you will be able to avoid further complications. If you are already affected with diabetes, it is also important to understand that it increases the risk of developing oral health conditions. Everyone needs to take good care of their teeth to get rid of common oral health issues.

However, preventative dental care can be especially important if you have diabetes since it comes with a higher risk of developing problems like gum disease, tooth decay and other oral infections.

Which Oral Health Problems Are Common Amongst People With Gum Disease?
It is estimated that 1.7 million people having diabetes are particularly at risk. This happens because blood glucose level that is not managed well lowers the body’s resistance to infection and affects its ability to heal.

People with diabetes face a higher risk of:

Dry Mouth: Diabetes which is uncontrolled results in increased saliva flow. It further leads to soreness, ulcers, infection and tooth decay.

Gum Inflammation (gingivitis) and Periodontitis: Another complication that diabetes leads to is that it causes blood vessels to thicken. It further reduces the flow of nutrients and waste products from body tissues, including the mouth. With this combination of events, the body loses its ability to fight from infections. Since gum disease is a bacterial infection, people with uncontrolled diabetes experience severe gum disease more frequent.

Thrush: People with diabetes are prone to fungal infection of the mouth and tongue. The fungus thrives on high glucose levels in the saliva of people with uncontrolled diabetes. Similarly, wearing dentures can also lead to fungal infections.

Burning Mouth: This is also caused by the presence of thrush.

Diabetes and Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is caused by the same bacteria that is responsible for tooth decay. The bacteria produces plaque which hardens to form tartar. This tartar causes the gums to swell, redden and bleed. If the gum disease is left untreated, it starts destroying the bone around the teeth that holds them in place. This even leads to tooth loss.

The risk associated with diabetes can be managed by keeping the blood glucose level in optimal range. If you notice any other signs of gum disease, it is important to consult your dentist for gum disease treatment.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

How is your bite? If you have a bad bite, the teeth of the upper jaw or maxilla won’t align properly with the teeth of the lower jaw or mandible. Also referred to as malocclusion, a bad bite can be treated via orthodontic treatment. Malocclusion can also occur because of the misalignment of the jaws by themselves. This can either occur from birth or from a traumatic injury.

Problems That Come Along With a Bad Bite
Common problems that result from malocclusion include:

• Difficulty with chewing or incising foods
• Difficulty in speech
• ObstHow to Fix a Bad Biteructive sleep apnea
• Temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ)
• Cosmetic issues in the smile

A bad bite can occur in multiple forms, underbite, overbite or crossbite.

Why Fix a Bad Bite
At Riverwalk Dental and Orthodontics, we welcome patients who seek braces or Invisalign to adjust their teeth. Sometimes, there are different steps that must be taken to create the healthiest version of your smile.

Patients with complex issues visit us for help with bite correction. A bad bite can affect more than just the shape of your smile. It also affects the overall health of teeth, gums and mouth.

Our dentists are dedicated to giving you a smile that looks great, healthy and functional. Our dentists can help you with bite correction issues. Fixing a bad bite is important at multiple levels. Not only does correcting the problem prevent further dental deterioration and other potential oral health issues, it also enhances the smile and self-esteem.

What Type of Bite Problems Occur?
There are several different types of bite problems that exist. Here are some of the most common:

Overbite
An overbite occurs when the top row of teeth extends far beyond the bottom row of teeth. This results owing to a misaligned or different sized jaw. Overbite also results in the front teeth appearing larger or protruding in a larger way.

Underbite
In an Underbite, the lower row of teeth is not aligned with the top row of teeth.

Crowded Teeth These types of teeth can cause long-term dental and gum issues because they are harder to clean.

Consult our dentists today to find out how our treatment options for a deep bite can help restore your smile and your confidence. They will help you bring comfort back to your bite.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.