Dentistry Blog, Top Dentists in Lowell

6Jan2023

How to Avoid a Dental Emergency

In the United States, emergency dental care services lead to 34 million lost school hours and $45 billion of lost productivity each year, according to the CDC. There are a few effective ways to minimize the likelihood of needed emergency dental care. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them.

Stay Up to Date with Your Checkups

The best way to avoid having to seek emergency treatment is to stay up to date on your regular checkups. This allows your dentist to spot any potential issues early. Like most medical issues, it’s easier to correct dental problems when they’re identified right away. Avoiding going to the dentist can lead to significant dental issues down the road. It’s advisable to visit the dentist every six months for a cleaning and a comprehensive dental checkup. It’s better to stay current with your dental visits than to experience a dental emergency.

Seek Treatment Right Away if Something Goes Wrong

If you notice something wrong with your teeth, schedule a dental appointment right away. This can help prevent the problem from getting worse. Many people assume ignoring their dental issues will lead to them eventually going away. As nice as this would be if it were true, the smart move is to schedule an appointment at the first sign of a problem. This can ensure that the situation doesn’t become worse or develop into a serious dental emergency. The sooner you seek treatment, the better!

Wear Protective Gear When Necessary

Anyone participating in sports where dental injuries are common should wear protective gear. Wearing the right protection can help you to avoid a number of different dental accidents. No one wants to deal with broken or lost teeth after a sports-related incident. While it’s impossible to prevent every mishap, you can take steps to make sure that they’re avoided whenever possible. Helmets, mouthguards, and other protective devices can help you enjoy sports and athletics without putting your dental health at risk. Your family dentist can advise you on the most effective protection gear for the activity that you’re engaging in. Don’t hesitate to ask!

Emergency dental care is no fun. If you are looking for a family dentist to help you stay on top of your dental care, you’ve come to the right place! Contact our office today to book your appointment.

16Dec2022

Lowell Dental Arts Team Oral Health

What Are Common Dental Issues People Have?

Dental issues are some of the most common health problems people experience. These issues can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, and even tooth loss in extreme cases. According to the CDC, the three primary oral conditions that impact an individual’s health and quality of life are cavities, severe gum disease, and tooth loss. Let’s take a closer look at some of these issues and how dental care with Lowell Dental Arts can help improve your smile.

Cavities

Cavities are one of the most common dental problems people experience. These are small holes or breaks in the teeth caused by tooth decay and bacteria build-up. Cavities can increase in size without proper oral hygiene, and cause pain and discomfort to the person affected. Some symptoms associated with cavities include sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods, and pain when biting down. These will also require dental care to prevent more severe issues like root canals or tooth loss.

Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is one of the most severe dental issues people can experience. This occurs when a tooth has been broken or knocked out due to an accident and cannot be fixed without surgery. Sometimes, it may also occur due to advanced gum disease or tooth decay.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a condition that occurs when plaque builds up on your teeth, causing bacteria to break down the enamel and form cavities. The symptoms of tooth decay include sensitivity to hot or cold foods, toothaches, pain while chewing, and visible holes in your teeth. It requires dental care immediately and can develop into more severe issues if left untreated.

Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is another common dental issue that affects millions of people. Gum disease occurs when bacteria in plaque build up along your gum line and causes inflammation and infection. Symptoms include red or swollen gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, receding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth.

Always seek dental care immediately if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Treatment for common dental issues can help keep your teeth healthy and improve your overall quality of life. Many options are available to ensure proper oral health, whether professional cleaning or more advanced treatments like root canals. Give Lowell Dental Arts a call today!

15Dec2022

Lowell Dental Arts Team Uncategorized

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.

Previous page 1 … 4 5 6 7 8 … 15 Next page