Posts for: May, 2017
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to damaged cells, viruses, and foreign bacteria. It is our body’s amazing way of self-healing. However, when inflammation becomes chronic is can wreak havoc on our bodies in the form of multiple diseases and conditions. It is believed that inflammation is actually at the root of most diseases.
More often than not, modern medicine seems to be aimed at treating the symptoms, pains, and aliments that we are facing verses helping us to dig deeper to find and combat the root of our problems. It would appear to be easier and much quicker to just address and diminish the symptoms rather than to figure out the true cause. This is a misconception and rather dangerous health mindset though. When inflammation is at the root, the symptoms, diseases, and conditions that follow can be life altering or threatening.
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. Heart disease is inflammation of the arteries. Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums and the surrounding bone structure. Asthma, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, cancer, and even high blood pressure have been linked to chronic inflammation. The list goes on and there is still medical research that needs to be conducted and studied, but all arrows seem to be pointing at chronic inflammation as the root of all evils in our bodies.
The good news though is that chronic inflammation can be reduced and even prevented. A lot of it is linked to our lifestyle choices. Inflammation is increased by certain behaviors such as excessive drinking and smoking, lack of exercise, high body fat, poor diet, bad oral hygiene habits, and even mismanaged or constant stress. Simple lifestyle changes can monumentally affect our health even so far as our longevity. It is far easier to take small steps toward potentially preventing maladies such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease rather than try and fix ourselves after a diagnosis. Let us show you how as we continue this mini series.
So you’re tearing up the dance floor at a friend’s wedding, when all of a sudden one of your pals lands an accidental blow to your face — chipping out part of your front tooth, which lands right on the floorboards! Meanwhile, your wife (who is nine months pregnant) is expecting you home in one piece, and you may have to pose for a picture with the baby at any moment. What will you do now?
Take a tip from Prince William of England. According to the British tabloid The Daily Mail, the future king found himself in just this situation in 2013. His solution: Pay a late-night visit to a discreet dentist and get it fixed up — then stay calm and carry on!
Actually, dental emergencies of this type are fairly common. While nobody at the palace is saying exactly what was done for the damaged tooth, there are several ways to remedy this dental dilemma.
If the broken part is relatively small, chances are the tooth can be repaired by bonding with composite resin. In this process, tooth-colored material is used to replace the damaged, chipped or discolored region. Composite resin is a super-strong mixture of plastic and glass components that not only looks quite natural, but bonds tightly to the natural tooth structure. Best of all, the bonding procedure can usually be accomplished in just one visit to the dental office — there’s no lab work involved. And while it won’t last forever, a bonded tooth should hold up well for at least several years with only routine dental care.
If a larger piece of the tooth is broken off and recovered, it is sometimes possible to reattach it via bonding. However, for more serious damage — like a severely fractured or broken tooth — a crown (cap) may be required. In this restoration process, the entire visible portion of the tooth may be capped with a sturdy covering made of porcelain, gold, or porcelain fused to a gold metal alloy.
A crown restoration is more involved than bonding. It begins with making a 3-D model of the damaged tooth and its neighbors. From this model, a tooth replica will be fabricated by a skilled technician; it will match the existing teeth closely and fit into the bite perfectly. Next, the damaged tooth will be prepared, and the crown will be securely attached to it. Crown restorations are strong, lifelike and permanent.
Was the future king “crowned” — or was his tooth bonded? We may never know for sure. But it’s good to know that even if we’ll never be royals, we still have several options for fixing a damaged tooth. If you would like more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Repairing Chipped Teeth” and “Crowns and Bridgework.”
Perhaps all you need to revitalize your smile is dental bonding.
Sometimes you can get the beautiful smile you want with simple, non-invasive options like dental bonding from our Hollywood, FL, cosmetic dentists Dr. Stephen Parker and Dr. Blake Parker. Learn more about composite bonding and what it could do for your smile’s appearance.
Do you have minor cosmetic flaws in one or more teeth that make you feel self-conscious? Are you looking for a simple cosmetic solution to fix these issues? Our Hollywood, FL, dentist has your back (or rather, your teeth!). Dental bonding is a cosmetic technique in which a tooth-colored resin is applied over certain problem areas. Bonding is able to quickly change the color, size or shape of one or more teeth in often just one visit.
You may be wondering what kinds of issues dental bonding can treat. Since this is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment it won’t be able to fix more serious issues or flaws that affect the health or function of your smile; however, it can be great for filling small gaps between your teeth, recontouring oddly shaped teeth, and covering cracks, chips and discolorations.
It’s also important to keep in mind that dental bonding isn’t meant to revamp your whole smile. If you have multiple teeth that require cosmetic changes then you may be better off considering other options like dental veneers or teeth whitening. When you come in for a consultation we will better be able to determine whether bonding is the right option for you.
What does bonding entail?
This procedure can be performed during your next routine visit. The process is rather simple, actually. Once we choose the right shade of resin for your tooth, we will apply a liquid over the surface of the tooth that will etch and roughen it. This will help the resin stick to the tooth a bit easier.
Then the resin is applied. We will trim and sculpt and readjust the moldable resin until we get the proper shape while also making sure to fully cover your cosmetic flaws. Once we have the look you want, we will use a dental light to harden the resin in place. With the proper maintenance and good oral hygiene, this tooth-colored resin can last many years.
Are you ready to revamp and improve your smile? Then let Parker Dentistry in Hollywood, FL, find out if dental bonding is the best option for you. Schedule an appointment with us today.
“Inflammation is the body’s attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens-and begin the healing process” (Nordqvist, 2015). Our bodies are quite extraordinary. The involuntary processes that are constantly taking place to keep us alive and thriving are remarkable. However, we should not take our bodies for granted because while we are rather resilient, if we do not take care of our bodies our bodies eventually will not be able to take care of us.
There are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation starts suddenly and can become severe very quickly. This is the immune system’s natural response though and is not a bad thing. This type of inflammation is caused by an injury (cut, torn tissue, broken bone, etc.), viral or bacterial infection, or fungus. Chronic inflammation is long-term and can lead to serious diseases and conditions. Acute inflammation can become chronic inflammation if the initial cause of the inflammation is never eliminated. When you have chronic inflammation, your white blood cells end up mistakenly attacking healthy tissues and cells in your internal organs. These signals are often sent out due to a number of habitual environmental factors (things that are in your control) and sometimes due to your genetics.
Unfortunately, chronic inflammation doesn’t always produce noticeable symptoms. However, chronic inflammation is linked to the majority of diseases. Chronic inflammation can be caused by poor diet, pollution and free radicals, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, chronic stress, obesity, hormone imbalance, and genetics. Chronic inflammation can affect all different parts of your body and can cause all sorts of maladies, some even being life threatening.
In this next mini series, we will talk about the specific risks, diseases, and conditions that are caused by chronic inflammation, how inflammation affects your oral health, and how to reduce your risks and prevent chronic inflammation. Most of the time, it is all about the choices that you make and how you take care for yourself. We want to share with you all of this valuable information so that you can go on to lead a healthy, happy, and long life. Health is everything!
What is the first thing that you notice when you meet someone for the first time? Close to 50% of people say that the first thing that they notice when they first meet someone is their smile (eyes came in second). Your smile is worth more than a thousand words. It is your smile that not only makes your more attractive, but more approachable, more inviting, and more confident. When we feel good about our smile, we are more likely to smile; and they say that smiles are contagious. So, how can you ensure that your smile is always sparkling?
- Proper daily oral hygiene practices are key to maintaining a healthy mouth and sparkling smile. You should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Bacteria in your mouth thrives on food particles and residue left behind from what you eat and drink throughout the day. When you fail to remove what’s left behind from your meals, you are putting your gums and teeth at great risk. The simple practice of brushing and flossing will help you to maintain healthier gums, whiter and stronger teeth, and better breath. Scraping your tongue and using mouthwash are also two great additions to your daily oral hygiene practices.
- Don’t skip out on your biannual cleanings. You should have your teeth professionally cleaned and assessed at least twice a year. It is much easier to treat problems such as gum disease and cavities in the beginning stages. This is a big part of taking care of your smile. Plus there is not better clean than a professional cleaning!
- Maintain a healthy diet. What you eat and drink plays a huge part in not only your oral health, but also your overall health. Calcium and vitamin C are especially good for your teeth and gums. Make sure that you eat plenty of dark greens like kale, spinach, and broccoli, and citrus to get sufficient calcium and vitamin C. It is also a very good idea to avoid overly sugary foods and drinks. There is nothing beneficial about soda!
- Treat yourself to some cosmetic dentistry. There are so many different whitening products on the market these days and at Parker Dentistry Facial Rejuvenation and Wellness, we carry only the best. Whitening your teeth, whether in-office or with a take-home method, will not only make your smile really sparkle, but will make you appear younger, more radiant, and more likely to flash those pearly whites for the world. We also do Invisalign, which is a simple and practically invisible method for straightening out your smile. We have the tools, resources, and expertise to help you make your smile the best it can possibly be!