why visit a dentist regularly if you have
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Examination inside the mouth includes the following Visual exam for any pathology (oral cancers and
growths)
Tactile exam for lumps and bumps
Gum exam for signs of inflammation and health
Tooth exam for any leaky fillings, cracked teeth and decay
X-Ray Examinations
Panoramic X-Ray goes around the whole mouth to reveal oral cancers, jaw joint problems, larger cavities, bone loss and gum disease
Bitewing X-Rays will show cavities between the teeth and bone loss
Full mouth series of X-rays will show where the level of the nerves are and any long standing abscessed teeth
Panoramic Xrays to checkAll teeth at once
Impacted teeth
Sinus problems
Jaw joint problems
Obvious Abscesses
Fillings, crowns and cavities
Simple- nothing goes in your mouth
Can be performed standing or sitting
Should be performed every 3-5 years to see progression of possible bone loss
Just a cleaning is more than thatThe scraping and polishing still happens but now we are checking for signs of Inflammation
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Strokes
Although nothing hurts, conditions will drain your immune system causing Lack of energy and
vitality
Decrease in a healthy diet
Early detection for inflammation that something else may be going on in your health
Oral-systemic connection – just not about clean teeth
Missing teeth replaced by Dentures
Partial dentures
Bridges
Flippers
Implants
May develop certain problems if not checked on regularly
Older teeth are like slippers
Loose fitting dentures
Darker Teeth
Hard to chew with lower partial plate
Bone melted away
Many people who have dentures have had them for years
bone supporting the denture over time melts away causing dentures and partials not to fit quite as snugly as it should
This causes an overgrowth of tissue and possible irritation under the dentures
Partial dentures can loosen regular teeth and develop decay around them and should be checked for problems while they are small
Oral cancers may develop in irritated areas
Older dentures can show age
Ill fitting denture needed to be relined or remade. This denture was made before her natural teeth were removed.
New smile New life
Diabetes and dry mouth cause the upper denture to have a loose fit but the new denture makes Sybil look younger and happier.
Final Denture try in Sometimes people will keep their first set of teeth for ten years before thinking about making another one. LB waiting about 2 years because of health concerns.
Why Decay more in aging populations Medications
Lack of Dexterity due to arthritis
More gum recession causing root exposure
Lack of Saliva
Dietary
Habits-Cough Drops and peppermints
Posture over sink
How we can help to change Larger handled
Toothbrushes
Flossing is ideal but can use Go-Betweens or tooth-picks
Dry mouth medications
Awareness of habits
Professional cleaning reduces plaque acids and provide fluoride We Check the fit of the
prosthesis – relines or remakes are quite common every 3-5 years
We can tighten clasps around partial dentures and ultrasonically clean the prosthetic device
Sometimes the dentistry we had done twenty to thirty years ago is not as servicable such as bridge work and need special help to clean it
Nutrition with the five food groups is essential to good health.
Having teeth to help break down food is desirable in order to prevent tummy troubles
BUT
Having performed dentures and partials for a number of years, some people just can’t adapt to something artificial in Their mouth
Chewing is pleasurable and most social events revolve around eating with loved ones and friends
Lower dentures are not stable unless you have a lot of bone.
The bone melts away over time and eventually may melt into the nerve chambers making wearing lower full dentures more painful over time
Implant supported lower dentures may be a solution
Seeing a dentist for regular professional cleanings help detect early problems from getting worse and help better communicate with your physician