Have a New Dental Crown? What to Know About Crown Maintenance

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Dental crowns are one of the most important tools that dentists use to help patients with damaged and injured teeth. Dental crowns cover weakened tooth enamel to strengthen and preserve the natural tooth. If you have a new dental crown, your dentist in Brooklyn, OH, can help you learn how to take care of it. Knowing how to maintain your dental crown can help it last for a long time.

Brush Your Crown With the Rest of Your Teeth

Your crown needs to be brushed twice a day, just like the rest of your teeth. You won’t need to brush it individually, but you should choose a toothpaste that is safe for crowns. Abrasive toothpastes — like products designed to whiten teeth — can scratch your crown, leading to stains over time. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. If you need a recommendation on which toothpaste or toothbrush to use, consult your dentist.

See the Dentist Every Six Months

You should already be visiting the dentist every six months for checkups, and this is even more true when you have a dental crown. Conditions like gum disease can cause gum recession, which can put your dental crown at risk. Seeing the dentist will help prevent these problems and can help preserve your dental health.

Avoid Whitening Your Crown

Crowns can’t be whitened, so if you choose to whiten your teeth with a crown, your natural teeth will turn white, and your crown will stay the same color. Ultimately, whitening your teeth will cause the color between your teeth and crown to become mismatched. Don’t use whitening products and don’t sign up for teeth whitening once the crown is in place.

Watch What You Eat

Sugary diets contribute to poor oral health over time. If you like to snack throughout the day, eat foods like nuts, crunchy vegetables, and boiled eggs. This will help maintain your crown over time.

Have Questions About Your Dental Crown in Brooklyn, OH? Call Today

If you have a new dental crown in Brooklyn, OH, and have questions about how to take care of it, we’re here to help. Call today.

The Role of Dental Implants in Preventing Bone Loss

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If you have missing teeth, you are losing bone density whether you realize it or not. Your dentist in Brooklyn, OH, will go over everything with you. But until then, here’s what you need to know.

What Happens to Your Jawbone When You Lose a Tooth?

When you lose a tooth, the surrounding jawbone will begin to deteriorate. This is called bone resorption. Once your tooth is gone, the bone no longer receives stimulation from the tooth’s root. Stimulation is caused by chewing.

When the root doesn’t get stimulated, it causes the bone to weaken and shrink. This could potentially lead to a change in your facial structure. Some refer to this as the sunken face look. Other risks include shifting of your remaining teeth and a higher risk of additional tooth loss.

How Dental Implants Can Help Prevent Bone Loss

When you lose a tooth or teeth, you could potentially lose up to 25% of your jawbone mass just within the first year. Yikes!

Dental implants in Brooklyn, OH, prevent bone loss by acting as a replacement for your tooth’s roots. This transfers the pressure from chewing to the jawbone (aka stimulation). The stimulation provided by your implant signals the bone tissue to stay healthy, preventing the bone from deteriorating.

After your dental implant has been placed, the titanium post (the implant) will begin the osseointegration process. This is when the titanium implant fuses with your jawbone to create a permanent foundation. The same type of foundation that’s there with your natural tooth and its roots.

Tooth Replacement Is More Than Just Bone Protection

In addition to preserving bone, implants restore full chewing function. And, you won’t have to worry about speech impediments (like with dentures) or maintaining your facial shape. Dental implants in Brooklyn, OH, are incredibly durable. In fact, your dental implants can potentially last a lifetime (the implant, not the crown) with the proper care.

Looking for a Reputable Dentist in Brooklyn, OH?

If you’ve lost one or more of your teeth, dental implants might be your best bet. They will restore your smile and your oral health all at the same time. Please Contact Biddulph Family Dental today to discuss your options and find out if dental implants are right for you.

7 Commonly Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening

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Do you have stained or yellowed teeth? Do you want to make your teeth white again? It sounds like you need teeth whitening from the dentist in Brooklyn, OH.

Teeth whitening is an effective treatment that can make a big difference for someone with stained teeth. If you’ve never had your teeth whitened before, you may have questions about how teeth whitening works and what’s involved in the procedure. Here’s what to know about teeth whitening.

1. What happens during professional teeth whitening?

During professional teeth whitening, the dental professional will apply a gel to your gums to protect your gums from the bleaching agent. Next, the dental professional will apply the bleaching agent to your teeth. The dental professional may use a light to make the bleaching agent more effective.

2. How long does professional teeth whitening take?

Professional teeth whitening typically takes about 90 minutes or less.

3. Is professional teeth whitening effective?

Professional teeth whitening can turn your teeth many shades whiter than they are right now. If you want your teeth to be white, bright, and beautiful, professional teeth whitening can help.

4. Who benefits from professional teeth whitening?

If you have stained teeth and take good care of your dental health, you may benefit from teeth whitening. People who have yellow teeth stained by food and drink often benefit most from teeth whitening. People with tobacco stains may benefit less.

5. How long does teeth whitening last?

The effects of teeth whitening can last for years. You may need touch-up teeth whitening from time to time to maintain your white teeth indefinitely.

6. Is professional teeth whitening better than DIY teeth whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is safe, fast, and effective. Many DIY teeth whitening techniques take a long time, and some can over-whiten your teeth if you don’t follow the directions very carefully.

7. My teeth are discolored and whitening didn’t help as much as I wanted. What should I do?

Some discolorations aren’t easily fixed with teeth whitening. There are other ways to address this problem, such as dental veneers.

To find out more about professional teeth whitening in Brooklyn, OH, contact us. We can help you decide if professional teeth whitening can help you achieve your goals for your smile.

Botox Vs. Fillers: How to Decide

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Youthful, wrinkle-free skin can be hard to achieve as you age. Did you know that your dentist in Brooklyn, OH can help? At Biddulph Family Dental, we use Botox and fillers to help patients achieve their goals for their appearance. These popular, non-surgical cosmetic treatments are administered through simple procedures that take little time.

For some people, it’s easy to confuse Botox and dermal fillers. If you’re struggling to decide which is right, here’s what you need to know.

What Is Botox?

Botox is an injectable drug that paralyzes the muscles to prevent wrinkles and lines from forming on the face. Botox is injected into the skin in strategic locations. Your dentist will choose the locations based on the areas where you’d like to avoid wrinkle formation.

What it does: Botox is considered safe and effective at preventing lines and wrinkles.

What it does not do: It does not plump up your features or add volume to your face. If your goal is to achieve fuller cheeks, fill out hollowed areas, or plump up your smile, Botox is not the right option for you.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are an injectable substance that can add volume to your face. Dermal fillers are often injected into the cheeks and lips.

What it does: Dermal fillers can help you restore volume lost due to aging. Dermal fillers can also help you achieve the look you’ve always wanted.

What it does not do: Dermal fillers are not generally used to smooth lines in your face. If your goal is to smooth wrinkles, then dermal fillers may not be for you.

Which Is Right For Me?

Choosing between Botox and dermal fillers in Brooklyn OH can be difficult. This is why it’s best to start with a consultation At Biddulph Family Dental, where we can discuss your goals and what you hope to achieve for your smile. Our experts will review the options with you before recommending a cosmetic procedure. We want you to feel good about the way you look. Call today to make your first appointment.

What to Know About Tooth Extractions

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A tooth extraction can be a stressful experience, but knowing what to expect can help. When you visit the dentist in Brooklyn, OH, your dentist should be able to answer any questions you have about tooth extractions. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about tooth extractions.

What Happens During A Dental Extraction?

During a dental extraction, the dentist will start by examining your tooth to determine the best method of extraction and whether the extraction is necessary. Once the dentist performs the examination, they’ll numb the area to ensure that you can’t feel the extraction happening.

Next, the dentist will use a tool to loosen your tooth, then the dentist will pull it out. If your tooth is broken at the gum line, the dentist may need to make an incision in your gums to remove the tooth.

Do Dental Extractions Hurt?

The dental extraction should not hurt while it is taking place, because the area should be numbed. However, you may experience some discomfort after the numbness wears off. Your dentist will recommend strategies (like taking over-the-counter medications) to help ease your comfort during this period.

How Long Do Dental Extractions Take?

Most dental extractions are relatively fast. Dental extractions can be finished in as little as 30 minutes or can take as long as one hour.

When Is An Extraction Necessary?

You may need a dental extraction if your tooth becomes injured or damaged. If your tooth becomes infected and the infection is allowed to progress, the dentist may recommend an extraction. Some people require tooth extraction when they have crowded teeth.

How Do You Recover From a Dental Extraction?

To recover from a dental extraction, avoid strenuous activity for two days, or as long as the dentist recommends. Your dentist may recommend over-the-counter pain medication. Keep the extraction site clean. You can brush and floss like normal, but avoid brushing or flossing the extraction site.

For more information about dental extractions in Brooklyn, OH, call your dentist at Biddulph Family Dental today.