Beauty portrait of a smiling woman

What Services Can a Dentist Provide You?

It’s easy to forget about your oral health, but regular visits to the dentist are essential for your overall wellness. A qualified and experienced dentist can provide a wide variety of dental services to protect and maintain teeth and gums. From simple checkups to more complex procedures, such as dental implants or general dentistry, dentists play an important role in keeping our teeth healthy and strong.

Professional Level Cleaning

Sure, you brush your teeth every day, but that isn’t enough to keep your mouth healthy. A professional dental cleaning from a qualified dentist is an important way to remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause cavities and gum disease. Regular cleanings every six months are the best way to maintain good oral hygiene.

Fillings and Extractions

If your dentist finds cavities, they can provide you with a filling to prevent the decay from spreading. The fillings are usually made of composite material or metal and take only one visit. If needed, dental services can also extract damaged or decayed teeth.

Root Canals

A root canal is a procedure used to remove an infection from the inside of an infected tooth. It often results from deep decay or trauma. After removing the damaged material and killing bacteria, the dentist will seal the inside of the tooth with a filling or crown to protect it.

Dental Implants

For those who have lost teeth due to injury or decay, dental implants can replace them. They’re titanium posts surgically inserted into the jawbone. Once the posts fuse with the bone, the dentist will add custom dental crowns. With a success rate of 98%, according to WebMD, implants are a reliable way to restore your smile. Depending on your needs, you may need several appointments with the dentist for this procedure.

Cosmetic Procedures

If you want to improve the appearance of your teeth, dentists offer a wide range of cosmetic procedures. Teeth whitening, dental bonding, and veneers help with discolored, cracked, and misshapen teeth. With the help of a qualified dentist, you can get the smile of your dreams.

Regular dental services are essential for your overall wellness. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a checkup, don’t wait any longer. There are many services that dentists can provide to protect and maintain your oral health. Contact Lowell Dental Arts today to schedule an appointment!

childrens dentist

Why Children’s Oral Care Is Vital

A childrens dentist is an important member of your child’s healthcare team. Children must get the oral health care they need to ensure a lifetime of good oral health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 52% of children will have at least one cavity in their baby (primary) teeth by the age of eight. Here is why children’s oral care is vital to their health.

Cavities are Painful

Keeping regularly scheduled appointments with a children’s dentist is important because children are prone to painful cavities. It is estimated that millions of educational hours are lost each year globally because of dental disease. Painful cavities can impact every area of your child’s development.

Working closely with a children’s dentist can help to prevent your child from developing cavities. A big part of what a dentist does for children is preventive treatment.

Develop Good Lifelong Oral Health Habits

Children should start seeing a dentist at about the age of one. The dentist will begin tracking your child’s oral health development from the first appointment. The dentist will partner with you and your child to help develop good oral health habits. Going to the dentist is necessary for everyone. Starting early in life will ensure that seeing the dentist regularly becomes a lifelong habit.

The dentist and the hygienist will work with your child to ensure that they develop healthy oral care habits that can prevent serious oral health diseases now and in the future. Professional oral health care focused on prevention can teach your child how to care for their teeth.

Utilize Early Intervention

Ensuring your child gets the oral health care they need from a children’s dentist can trigger early intervention strategies that can save them a lot of pain and suffering. Early interventions and treatments can help to prevent bigger dental problems down the road. The dentist monitors tooth development and looks for tooth decay so that they can quickly address any problems early.

Teeth play a vital role in your child’s overall development. The teeth can impact speech development. They help your child to chew their food properly and aid in digestion. Yes, it is wonderful to have a great smile, but teeth are important for good health. Give us a call today to make an appointment today to get your child on the road to good oral health.

emergency dental care

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.

dental care

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!

dentist

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.

Lowell Dental Arts