Dentistry Blog, Top Dentists in Lowell

15Dec2022

How Can Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities?

Cavities are one of the most common dental problems that can be painful and costly to repair. Fortunately, with regular care and preventive treatment in the form of dental sealants, you can help protect your teeth from decay. Dental sealants are a great way to prevent cavities as they provide a protective barrier over the chewing surfaces of molars. Let’s learn more about how they protect your teeth.

1. What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating your dentist can apply to the chewing surfaces of permanent molars. The sealant blocks food and bacteria from getting into the grooves of your teeth, which can cause cavities. Sealants are generally clear or slightly tinted so they can blend in with your teeth and are not very noticeable.

2. How Do Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities?

Dental sealants form a protective barrier that prevents tooth decay-causing bacteria from entering the grooves of your molars. It helps to stop cavities before they have a chance to form in these hard-to-reach areas. A single application can last up to ten years and protect your teeth from cavities.

3. Who Should Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are most effective when applied to healthy teeth as soon as they have erupted. Generally, dentists recommend sealants for children ages 6-14 who are at higher risk of cavities due to their still-developing oral hygiene habits. Adults may also benefit from dental sealants if they have deep grooves in their molars and are prone to cavities.

4. Are Dental Sealants Effective?

Yes! According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, dental sealants can reduce cavities by up to 80% in the back teeth in a 2-year period. This makes them an effective and inexpensive way to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health.

5. How Do I Care For My Dental Sealants?

It’s important to take good care of your dental sealants by brushing and flossing regularly. Be sure to avoid biting on hard foods that could wear down the sealant and make it less effective in protecting your teeth from decay. If you notice any chipping or wear of your sealants, contact your dentist right away.

Dental sealants are an important tool in preventing cavities, as they provide a protective barrier on the chewing surfaces of your molars. If you think your teeth could benefit from this preventive measure, talk to us about whether dental sealants are right for you.

14Dec2022

Lowell Dental Arts Team Oral Health

Why Is Visiting the Dentist So Important?

Whether you love or dread going to the dentist, there’s no denying that it’s an important part of maintaining your overall health. Despite its importance, millions of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of fear or anxiety. According to the American Dental Association, almost 48% of adults over 30 years old are dealing with periodontal disease, something preventable with regular dental appointments. Read on for some important reasons to keep up with dentist visits.

1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

This one is pretty obvious. Regular dental visits are crucial for maintaining good oral hygiene. Your dentist can remove any plaque or tartar buildup and give your teeth a deep cleaning. They’ll also be able to spot any potential problems early on and help you nip them in the bud.

2. Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common and serious dental problems. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. There is also a link between gum disease and heart disease/stroke. Regular dentist visits can help prevent gum disease and can help to catch it early enough to treat it effectively.

3. Save Money in the Long Run

While it may seem like paying for dental visits is an unnecessary expense, it’s actually quite the opposite. Regular dental visits can be good for your budget in the long run by preventing serious problems down the road. Treating problems early on is always going to be cheaper than waiting until they’ve become full-blown issues.

4. Get Professional Teeth Whitening

If you’re looking for professional teeth whitening, your dentist is the best person for the job. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products just can’t compare to the results you’ll get from a professional. Dentists have access to stronger bleaching agents, and they know exactly how to use them for the best results.

5. Improve Your Overall Health

Did you know that oral health can impact your overall health? It’s true: gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and even diabetes. By keeping up with regular dentist visits, you help improve your overall health, too.

Visiting the dentist may not be at the top of your list of favorite things to do, but it’s a part of health maintenance. Keep up with regular dental visits to maintain good oral hygiene, prevent gum disease, and help your overall health. To schedule a dentist appointment with us, be sure to contact our team at Lowell Dental Arts today!

17Nov2022

Lowell Dental Arts Team Dental Implants

Could You Be a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are pretty much the best substitute for real teeth. If you’ve lost a tooth and now have a gap, an implant can make it seem like you never lost the tooth to begin with. In fact, the crowns used in the implants to mimic teeth look natural, and have been providing people with the strongest alternative for missing teeth for over three decades.

That’s a lot different than dentures or just leaving the gap alone. Implants are also the best choice for preventing some of the worse side effects of losing teeth. The one problem is that not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants. Are you?

What Requirements Must You Meet?

To be a good candidate for dental implants, you need to have a jaw that is in good shape with adequate, strong bone to hold the implant. Sometimes people have bone loss that makes the jaw not substantial enough to hold the implant. The jaws aren’t particularly fragile, but they sometimes don’t have enough bone to keep the implant secure.

You also have to be good at caring for your teeth and gums because you’ll still need to take care of your gums once you get the implant, and you don’t want food getting trapped under the crown. Finally, you have to be able to handle the surgery. There are certain health conditions that can make you not a good candidate, such as diabetes.

Why Would Implants Be Better Than Dentures?

If you’re a good candidate but aren’t sure you want to move on from dentures, think of the problems you’ve had with dentures already. You have to clean them, they can fall out, they can irritate your gums, and you have to get them relined every few years. You can also lose them, which is frustrating given that they aren’t the cheapest dental appliance out there.

What Options Do You Have if You Want Implants?

According to NCBI, modern dental implants have been used for more than 30 years and offer the most natural alternative for missing teeth. If you’re a good candidate for dental implants and want to know more about them, you can talk to your dentist at Lowell Dental Arts today. Ask about options ranging from the traditional dental implants that take two sessions to fully install, to same-day implants, to all-on-4 implants if you have a series of missing teeth. Your dentist can give you details about all these options.

16Nov2022

Lowell Dental Arts Team Oral Health

3 Qualities to Look for in a Qualified Dentist

Your oral health is very important. As such, you should be very proactive in taking care of your teeth. One of the easiest ways to do this is by visiting the dentist regularly. However, for the best results you need to find the best dentist near you. Your dentist must be knowledgeable and have great interpersonal skills. They must also pay attention to the smallest details. Here’s an in-depth look at the qualities to look for in a qualified dentist.

1. Attention to Detail

The mouth is a very small space. To ensure that they never miss anything, a qualified dentist should pay attention to every single detail. Missing the smallest details can differentiate between proper jaw alignment issues. Dentists must also be able to spot any details that may be early indicators of a dental problem. The best dentist for you won’t overlook small details that could turn into big problems later.

2. Strong Interpersonal Skills

A qualified dentist must also have strong interpersonal skills. Let’s face it, not many people enjoy going to the dentist. It’s the role of the dentist to make patients comfortable and calm. This is especially important when dealing with patients who have dental anxiety. The dentist must be very kind and compassionate. They should take their patients’ complaints about pain seriously, and also empathize with them. It’s also important for dentists to be honest about treatment options so they can gain the trust of their patients. These things make all the difference when it comes to patient experience.

3. Up to Date with Modern Treatment Methods

Dentistry is one of the fastest moving fields. Lots of new technologies are introduced every year. Some advances make dental procedures more comfortable, while others improve the outcome of treatment. The best dentist should know all about these new technologies and be able to discern if any of them are right for you. They should desire to learn and master new concepts that help improve treatment processes and outcomes. This instantly makes them stand out from the rest. Some of the new treatments that dentists should be aware of include things like Invisalign. According to PR News Wire, about 47% of teens with Invisalign surveyed had a boost of self-esteem in the treatment process, compared to only 22% of teens with traditional metal braces. In such instances, knowing about Invisalign can make treatment far better for patients.

These are some of the most important qualities to look for in a qualified dentist. Are you looking for the best dentist near you? Get in touch with Lowell Dental Arts today.

15Nov2022

Lowell Dental Arts Team Oral Health

5 Signs It’s Time to See the Family Dentist

While nobody particularly enjoys going to the dentist, it is crucial for your health. According to the CDC, 26% of adults have unattended tooth decay. That means at least one in four adults have this problem, which is quite alarming. The statistics exemplify the importance of scheduling an appointment with your family dentist for a thorough check-up at least twice a year, on top of following proper dental hygiene.

Additionally, most orthodontists recommend that kids visit them once they reach the age of seven, when their permanent teeth start to come in. You may also want to visit your dentist to seek general dentistry, cosmetic, or restorative services. In this article, you will learn about the symptoms that suggest you need to schedule a family dentist visit immediately.

1. Bleeding Gum Tissue

It’s normal for your gums to bleed a little when flossing or brushing. However, consistent bleeding may be due to gum disease. In such a case, you must visit your family dentist for a check-up. Your dentist can help you devise a plan to treat gum disease and prevent bleeding.

2. Tooth Sensitivity

You should consider a dental check-up if your teeth are overly sensitive to hot or cold substances. It could be a symptom of an infection or tooth decay.

3. Persistent Bad Breath

Bad breath causes discomfort and even loss of self-esteem. The common perception is that bad breath is caused by failure to brush your teeth. However, persistent bad breath can result from a dental infection. In this case, it would be helpful to visit your dentist for a check-up and a prescription.

4. Toothache

A toothache can result from a cavity, and unfortunately the pain can escalate very quickly. It is another reason to visit your family dentist immediately for treatment. It is better to get a cavity treated quickly before it has a chance to grow.

5. Tooth Discoloration

If you notice that your tooth is turning black, brown, or gray, chances are it’s due to an infection or excessive plaque buildup. It would be wise to visit your dentist for further investigation and treatment.

It is alarming that many grown-ups in the US have unattended tooth decay. This is a significant amount of the population, and the figures could be more.

If you want to be on the safe side, it would be prudent to visit your family dentist regularly for cleaning and check-ups to avoid tooth-related problems. Call Lowell Dental Arts today to schedule an appointment.

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