Protecting Your Molars
Welcome to our protecting your molars blog post! If you have lived in Waco, Texas for any length of time, chances are you have visited the Waco Mammoth National Monument to see the remains of ancient mammoths. And you have probably been to the Cameron Park Zoo to see their modern day cousins, the elephants. African elephants are an endangered species, and of course mammoths are extinct. However, pachyderms have one distinct advantage over people, aside from their size. They don’t stop growing teeth. Throughout an elephant’s life, if a molar falls out, one will grow in to replace it, and this can happen up to 26 times! However, unlike the mighty elephant, when an adult person loses a molar, it is gone and another is not on the way. With that in mind, you might want to give some thought about taking care of the molars you have. For starters, take a cue from the elephant. Elephants live on vegetation, and while you need protein along with your greens, it’s not a bad idea to eat a balanced diet. In fact, it’s a great idea and it is good for your body and your teeth. You can talk to Dr. Latino about the best diet for your teeth. Elephants also drink plenty of water, and may have 40 gallons at a time. 40 gallons would not do you much good all at once, even if you could drink that much. However, water does keep your mouth hydrated and clean, and fluoridated water can strengthen your tooth enamel. Your molars are designed for grinding and crushing your food so it is easier for you to swallow and digest it. To do that, they come equipped with a set of ridges known as cusps, which are very effective for chewing. However, those cusps are also great hiding places for plaque and food particles, and your toothbrush can’t reach into those spaces very well. And since you only get one set of molars to last your adult life, you should talk to us about dental sealants. Sealants are thin layers of plastic applied to the chewing surfaces of your molars which act as barriers between your tooth enamel and the harmful substances in your mouth and diet. The dentist will wash and dry your tooth, and then apply a very mild acidic solution to “rough up” the surface of your tooth. When the solution is ready, he will paint the sealant on to your tooth. When it has cured, the sealant will protect your tooth from decay, and can last up to ten years. A dental sealant is one advantage you have over an elephant. However, you will still need to brush your teeth no less than twice a day for two minutes at a time and floss at least once a day, since sealants only protect the chewing surfaces of your molars, and not the sides. The sides will still be vulnerable to decay. It is said that elephants have excellent memories. Even if your memory is not as good as an elephant’s, make sure that you remember to contact Chad Latino DDS for a cleaning and exam and a maybe even dental sealants in Waco, Texas.
Educate Yourself About Oral Health Care
A healthy lifestyle includes minimizing risks associated with poor oral health care. Not only will you need to make sure that you’re taking care of your smile with effective cleaning routines, but also to limit unhealthy habits and products in your diet. Furthermore, set forth effective prevention, treatment plans and protective measures for any issues that may arise with aspects of your daily life. If you are putting your smile in jeopardy of several oral health risks, you are doing more damage than good. To combat this, make sure that you are practicing effective oral hygiene routines such as brushing twice daily and flossing once a day. With an effective oral hygiene routine that includes mouthwash and sugarless chewing gum after meals, your mouth will be much better protected against oral health risks that can arise, as they spur on the production of saliva, which is important for neutralizing harmful acids in your mouth. It is important to maintain a healthy diet in order to ensure dental damage cannot occur. Poor aspects of your diet can easily cause dental erosion, including those that produce harmful acids that can chew through your tooth enamel. Thus, avoid sugars and starches that cause dental erosion as well as any hard products that can chip and crack teeth. For additional help with your diet, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to wash away any potential debris and for slowing down plaque formation. If you need any additional help or restorations with your teeth and gums, visit your dentist for routine exams. Furthermore, your dentist can provide a professional cleaning every 6 months to keep your smile safe, white, and free of debris and bacteria. Your smile and your oral health care can receive a boost with oral health care treatments. It is even possible that our various cosmetic treatments such as dental veneers in Waco, Texas, can improve your oral health. If you wish to visit the dental office of Chad Latino DDS in Waco, Texas, you can book an exam by calling us at 254-615-3084. Dr. Latino is your Waco dentist, and our entire team looks forward to providing you with the optimum oral health care you need.
Should You Choose an Implant or a Bridge?
There are good reasons for replacing missing teeth. Not only will tooth-restoration improve your appearance and help you to look younger, it can also improve your ability to eat and speak. Additionally, empty spaces in your smile give plaque and bacteria extra places to accumulate, which can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. If you’ve ever wondered if you should replace a tooth with an implant or a bridge, the following information might help. Implants are very popular, since they sit directly in your jawbone, and do not need to be removed to be cleaned. They are also very sturdy, long-lasting and natural-looking. Be that as it may, not everyone is a good candidate for implants. If your gums are not healthy, or if you do not have enough bone in your jaw to support the implant, your dentist may suggest another restoration option. Certain medications and medical conditions, including pregnancy, may mean that implants are not for you. In that case, the dentist may suggest a dental bridge. A bridge is an effective way to replace missing teeth. It also does not require the surgery needed for implants. To place a bridge, the dentist will remove the enamel from the tooth on each end of the gap. These teeth will receive crowns and will serve as the anchors for the bridge. The dentist will take an impression of the teeth and the gap, fit you with temporary crowns and a bridge, and send the impression to a dental lab. There, a technician will create your permanent bridge. When it is ready, the dentist will remove the temporary bridgework and cement the new crowns and bridge in place. If you are missing one or more teeth, you should talk to Dr. Latino about your restoration options, including an implant or a bridge. If you need implants or a crown, Dr. Latino and the staff at Chad Latino DDS can help you find the right solution for you. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Could You Use a Deep Cleaning?
Even if you carefully brush and floss every day, you will still have plaque. It is a fact of life, and just a part of having teeth. However, if you do not keep up with your brushing and flossing, plaque can build up on your teeth and eventually harden into a tougher substance known as tartar. Plaque can cause your gums to recede, which then gives the plaque a chance to form below the gumline. If that happens, you could lose teeth and even parts of your jawbone. That sounds very serious, and it is. However, your dentist can treat the problem with a deep cleaning, which is also known as scaling and root planing. In scaling, the dentist uses an instrument to remove the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. With root planing, the dentist will smooth out the roots of your tooth so that they can re-attach themselves to your gums. After your procedure, you may have some pain the next day, and your teeth may be somewhat sensitive for a week afterwards. If this pain continues longer than a day, let your dentist know during your follow-up appointment. During that appointment, the dentist will also measure the depths of the pockets of your gums to see how the healing is progressing, or if further treatment is necessary. If you have noticed that you have tender, red, swollen or bleeding gums, our dentist, Dr. Latino may be able to help you with a deep cleaning. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a deep cleaning, or it is just time for your regular dental exam, give us a call. If you live in the Waco, Texas, area, you can reach Chad Latino DDS at 254-615-3084. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Principles Concerning Mouthwash
Have you heard that mouthwash is a very safe and reliable option for treating your smile? Even though there are many brands and products available in the mouthwash collection, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines, the products you select can be safe to use and can aid you in a variety of ways. For a better understanding of the basics of mouthwash, listed below are principles concerning mouthwash: – If you are frequently suffering from bad breath, mouthwash can help to freshen breath and temporarily relieve you of the symptoms. – Enhance the look of your smile by using mouthwash products that contain teeth whitening treatments. – Making the decision about which mouthwash to add to your oral health care routine does not have to be done alone, as you can ask your dentist for product suggestions. – For extra safety and security, only choose mouthwash products that have been given the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance. – Mouthwash can be used to keep your smile healthy by eradicating plaque buildup and harmful acids which cause dental erosion, which thereby lowers your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Our team at Chad Latino DDS focuses on a variety of oral health care treatments to suit all your needs. If you would like an oral exam from Dr. Latino, please book an appointment to come see us at our dentist office in Waco, Texas. We can be reached at 254-615-3084. The perfect smile of your dreams is only a visit away!
Are You Using the Right Mouthwash?
As an ideal supplementary oral health care cleaning product, mouthwash can be the perfect addition to any oral health care cleaning regimen. If you are already using the products, it is important to ask yourself if you are using the right mouthwash? Listed below are important facts regarding mouthwash and its many uses: – Improve the guise of your teeth by using mouthwash products that contain teeth whitening treatments. – Mouthwash can be used to keep your smile healthy by getting rid of plaque buildup and harmful acids which cause dental erosion. – Various mouthwash products can produce a wide array of services including enamel protection, teeth whitening, fresh breath, and bacteria removal. – If you are frequently suffering from bad breath, mouthwash can help to freshen breath and temporarily relieve you of the symptoms. – Ask your dentist for product recommendations when making the decision about which mouthwash to use. – For added safety and security, only choose mouthwash products that have been given the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance. Come in and see for yourself the magic of our oral health care treatments. To schedule an appointment with Dr. [doctor_name] and our team at our dentist office in [city], [state], call [practice_name] at [phone] and a member of our team will gladly assist you. Come in today and improve your smile with our help.
Is Bad Breath Embarrassing You?
Are you self-conscious about your breath because it isn’t appealing? If so, you are not alone. Less than stellar breath is quite common but it can be unnerving during the socializing brought on by the holiday season. The good news is, bad breath, or halitosis, can be easily remedied depending on the cause of your condition. Fortunately, Dr. [doctor_name] and our team in [city], [state] is skilled at helping our patients resolve oral issues. To find out the cause of your bad breath, our dentist will begin by thoroughly examining your mouth. The first line of defense is reducing the bacteria in your mouth. Some factors we will look for include plaque and tartar (which is hardened plaque), any fillings in your mouth that may be leaking, whether or not you have dry mouth, or an infection, an abscess, or gum disease. Depending on the cause of your bad breath, we may recommend deep cleanings, a root canal or artificial saliva (in the case of dry mouth). In addition to your vigilant brushing and flossing, you may be prescribed an antimicrobial mouthwash. You can also boost healthy saliva production by increasing your water intake and chewing sugar-free gum. This holiday season, refresh your breath by getting the help you need to have a confident smile once again. Our dedicated team in [city], [state], is happy to help with the right treatment options for your needs. Please call [phone] today and let Dr. [doctor_name] restore your healthy smile!
